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March 25, 2009
Bloody Tuesday (and Wednesday)
The past two days have been rough ones at Houston's paper of record, the Chronicle. It is no secret that the news business as a whole is downsizing in a big way, as it struggles to find its niche in an increasingly wired world. The local rag, alas, is not immune from its industry's troubles, particularly since its fortunes are tied to those of its parent company -- Hearst -- which owns a number of papers across the country. While the Chron has largely remained profitable (no small feat in the business these days), its sister publications have lost money hand over fist. Hence, corporate decided the Chron, too, must atone for the family's sins.
So, yesterday the ax began to fall. By some reports 90 newsroom employees and contractors were eliminated, a deep and grievous wound to the paper's nerve center. Today, apparently, the advertising section was hit as well. The total casualty count is as yet unclear, but it is undoubtedly massive. Richard Connelly at the Houston Press has done yeoman work reporting on the situation on his Hair Balls blog, and has compiled and updated a list of the fallen.
First of all, it is tragic to see so many dedicated professionals lose their jobs, particularly in the inhospitable economic situation we currently face. We are very sorry and wish them the very best for the future.
But after witnessing such a journalistic slaughter at a newspaper that had already steadily been sacrificing quality people and content to save money, we are left to ask, who is left to report the news in the nation's 4th largest city? Of course, this question can, and is rightly being asked about the news business as a whole. Are pictures of people's dogs and video from the weekend bar scene really what we can come to expect from our supposed news sources? Will opinion blogs like this one supplant real reporting?
Such a future is very grim to contemplate, but a very real possibility. Or, will a new but sound (ethically, intellectually and financially) journalistic model emerge? We certainly hope so.
Posted by houtopia at March 25, 2009 10:27 PM
Comments
Amen.
Posted by: David Benzion at March 26, 2009 10:33 AM