The News About Newspapers
And Why You Are Here
By George Sylvie
School of Journalism
The University of Texas at Austin
The Bad News
The Good News
The Lukewarm News
More Tepid News
Mixed Blessings News
Hopeful News
End-of-Rainbow News
Pretty Good News
Not-so-good News
So?
• What is the future of newspapers?
• What is the future of journalism?
• What do you think?
The Future Begins Now
New Journalism Joke:
Q: If the newspaper industry were a baseball
game, what inning would we be in now?
A: The 19th
The Pitcher: Technology
• “As tweets grow exponentially and traditional
news outlets shed readers and staff, the digital
realm, despite some limitations of access and
signal disruptions, is simply more attractive—
for speed, ease and multimedia storytelling. ”
-- Gerald Jordan, U. of Arkansas j prof
in recent story on Philadelphia Inquirer
The Pitch
“The demand, in turn, for output has compounded
stress in newsrooms where staffs are dwindling
even though coverage areas are essentially
unchanged. On a typical assignment, a reporter is
expected now to report from the scene,
photograph it if possible, post information on
Twitter, file 150 to 200 words for the digital story,
update a blog or the news organization’s Facebook
page, then write an article for the newspaper that
will be published the next morning. ”
The Owners’ Strategy
Trimming the Roster
“Smallball”
The Details
• “One run at a time” – Most newspapers are
profitable, many with margins in the midteens. But net margins – after interest, taxes
and special charges – are razor-thin.
• “Pick off plays” – Most papers achieved
profitability largely through cutting.
• “Sacrifice bunts” – Some papers also operated
in the red for 2011, essentially choosing to
reinvest in new programs.
More “Small” Stuff
• “Reliable bullpen” – Stress investigative, local
coverage
• “Defense” – Apps and Niche sites to extend
and reinforce the brand
• “Steals” – Updating the web site to stay
abreast, stay current, and scoop competitors
• “Walks” – Patiently and slowly using audience
input to show interactivity, customer
sensitivity
One Solution
• http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/monfebruary-9-2009/walter-isaacson
What’s Next?
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•
•
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Your role
Why you’re here
What you can do about the news
BUT FIRST: A break, and word from our
sponsor
Newspaper Advisors are Different
•
•
•
•
Nobody understands you
You share sense of mission with your staff
Journalism is multi-skilled
Multiple functions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Extend the English program
PR for the school
School consumer advocate
Outlet for expression
Aim for higher order skills
Newspaper Readers are, too
What about You, The Reader?
From paper and online editions of newspapers to
television newscasts, “The Daily Show,”
Facebook and Twitter, there are many ways to
get the news.
What is your “go to” news source — and what
kind of news are you looking for? Has this
changed over the course of time for you or for
your family?
Should News Be This?
Or That?
How About This?
Or This?
Or Even This?
Usually It’s About These
And These
Should it be?
• Let’s Play a Game!
Do Papers Make you Want to Read?
How Can You Make a Difference?
Your Students!
How You Teach Matters
So Does What You Know
And Your Approach to Pedagogy
Whether You’re This Gifted
Or a Superhero
It Starts Here
For the Next Two Weeks
We’ll Hone Your Reporting Skills
We’ll Fatten You on Ethics
We’ll Give You Promotional Tips
We’ll Help You Lay Down the Law
And to Navigate Certain Software
And How to Up the Ante on Sports
While Touting the 1st Amendment
And Understanding Design
And Help You Grasp Multimedia
In Short, We Have a Plan
YOU + US = EXCELLENCE
Thanks and Have a Good Time!