Changes at the Winston-Salem Journal
As I have looked through the Winston-Salem Journal every day, I've been thinking that our overall readership strategies are different. We push as much local as we can to the front page; the Journal seems to be more traditional in its selections. We try to play photos and graphics bigger. I think our coverage is less bureaucratic, but that could just be the eye of the beholder.
But in some ways, we're ending up in similar places. (Accompanied by newspapers all over the country.) They announced a few changes in the paper today, including dropping a daily standalone business section and adding two business pages in their local section, which is what we have. And a layoff of five people. Managing Editor Ken Otterbourg elaborates a bit.
I won't BS anyone and say that this is an improvement, but I would like to think that a smaller newshole and less display space will force us to change some of our approach to business coverage and place more emphasis on bigger stories and less on routine pieces.
Which is what we try to do.
My sympathies to everyone connected with the Journal today. Some readers won't like the changes to their paper. Employees won't like the loss of five coworkers. And five more newspaper people are out of work.
Opinions are a dime a dozen, but the solutions aren't obvious or simple. Yes, that's the understatement of the year. Audiences and advertisers will continue to fragment. Technology will continue to make information easier and faster to get. Convenience and customization will flourish. Business demands continue. Change to my industry must come faster and smarter than it is.
Comments (2)
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"But in some ways, we're ending up in similar places. (Accompanied by newspapers all over the country.) "
...sorta like walking through a grave yard and noting all the differences?
Some would say that progress is at hand...I don't know.
Posted on August 23, 2007 5:26 PM
I have a 1996 Ford Ranger Pickup. The "Check Engine" light never goes off. I paid Parkway Ford $750.00 to fix it and they ended up telling me that it was a computer glitch, but it still would not pass NC inspection. I had to get a "waver" from the DMV that is good for 1 year.
Next year I have to pay for a $30.00 inspection, have it fail, pay the garage at least $250.00 and have another inspection to fail, then take it back to the DMV and they will give me another waver good for one year.
This is the most unfair situation that I was told was common with people who own Ford Rangers. Something need to be done, but I am a 79 year old senior and no body listens. Can the News Paper do anything?
Benny Jackson
Posted on August 11, 2008 10:17 AM