Personally, I blame the bloggers
The Greater Greensboro Observer has an interesting juxtaposition of stories in its Nov. 16-29 edition. The cover story, "Big Media=Big Bucks, is based on the premise that newspapers are shrinking in staffing "as publishing giants take control of local print news outlets and hone operations to increase bottom-line margins." The article cites cutbacks at the High Point Enterprise and the News & Record, without quoting anyone from either place, to back up the premise.
But that's OK. Turn the page to the editor's column and Ogi writes about moving the GGO from a weekly to a bi-weekly because it doesn't have enough money. "We set the bar high for ourselves out of the gate, and when revenue didn't measure up to projections we were too stubborn to drop back and punt."
It's a tough world out there in media, whether you're a "publishing giant" or a locally owned tabloid.
Comments (2)
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In my humble opinion and as one of Ogi's occasional freelancers, I feel as if the GGO is still seeking its place. (And I'm not fooling myself into thinking I know what that place is.) I don't see their problems as anyone's fault, but agree that there are many factors (some, far from anyone's control) that can make or break any business. As someone who has lost two start-up businesses and beats his brains out on a third that has yet to earn me a paycheck in over a year, I salute anyone who gives it a shot. As I've said before, I can only hope that all our local publications-- the GGO and yours included-- do well in what I think is going to be very tough economic times.
Posted on November 16, 2004 10:07 PM
I think it is becoming very difficult to build up the momentum needed to be a successful weekly newspaper. If you took the same amount of money and effort and devoted it to becoming an Internet based publication, your chances of at least breaking even and not losing money would be slightly better. Yeah, I blame the bloggers also. Think about it. How many new newspapers get started and are successful each year?
Posted on November 18, 2004 9:30 PM