Category Archives: future of newspapers

Detroit newspapers: Layoffs possible

Posted on July 10, 2008 by admin

By Joel Thurtell [donation] Operative word: “Layoffs.” Detroit Media Partnership has offered its latest buyout to members of eight unions representing workers at the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News, according to a letter to employees from Kristi Bowden, vice … Continue reading →

Posted in future of newspapers, Joel's J School, Unions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sugar-coating the buyout

Posted on July 7, 2008 by admin

By Joel Thurtell It’s hard for newspapers to cover their own industry. It’s even harder for them to report news about their own newspaper. Maybe that’s an excuse the Detroit Free Press could trundle out for running today’s (July 7, … Continue reading →

Posted in future of newspapers, Joel's J School, Unions | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Right after all

Posted on July 6, 2008 by admin

By Joel Thurtell   News in late June that the Detroit Free Press will print its last editions of the Community Free Press on Aug. 1 stunned the reporters, editors, photographers and myriad freelancers who’ve diligently worked to make those … Continue reading →

Posted in future of newspapers, Joel's J School, Unions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fantasy JOA for Detroit?

Posted on July 2, 2008 by admin

By Joel Thurtell In January, joelontheroad.com broke news about the start of a possible Joint Operating Agreement between my blog and the Detroit News and Free Press.     I didn’t get much response.   In fact, the only response … Continue reading →

Posted in future of newspapers, Joel's J School, Unions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Times public editor “over the top”?

Posted on June 28, 2008 by admin

By Joel Thurtell Well, Clarkie’s been at it again. I was hoping that after a couple of my punitive columns, New York Times public editor Clark Hoyt would have seen the light. After my onslaughts, I can’t understand why he … Continue reading →

Posted in future of newspapers, Joel's J School | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bye-bye, yak

Posted on June 26, 2008 by admin

By Joel Thurtell Obituary time at the Detroit Free Press: That venerable promotional creature, the furry, goofy Yak, is dead. Word from inside the Freep is that this popular creature — an educational feature aimed at kids, part of it contained … Continue reading →

Posted in future of newspapers | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Free Press or fish wrapper?

Posted on June 26, 2008 by admin

By Joel Thurtell Could Michigan’s oldest newspaper become a tabloid?   Hey, it could be worse.   The Detroit Free Press could wind up just as its top editors now envision it — a skimpy rag for home subscribers who … Continue reading →

Posted in future of newspapers | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Detroit Media and Freep to buy out 150 more staffers

Posted on June 23, 2008 by admin

By Joel Thurtell The monopoly that owns the News and Free Press in Detroit is looking to shoo 150 more workers out the door with buyouts similar to ones that ushered 110 workers into early retirement last November. The papers … Continue reading →

Posted in future of newspapers | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Private red squads illegal, too

Posted on June 6, 2008 by admin

By Joel Thurtell Who ever heard of newspapers running red squads? Sound crazy? Well, in their effort to impose behavioral conformity on newsroom workers through loosely-thought-out rules known as “ethical guidelines,” news managers have actually been doing the same kind … Continue reading →

Posted in Arbitration, future of newspapers, Joel's J School, Unions | Leave a comment

Breathe easy, Gannett execs

Posted on June 3, 2008 by admin

By Joel Thurtell Bet some Gannett news execs are heaving giant sighs of relief that their company lost their case in the arbitration of my $500 donation to Michigan Dems in 2004. Turns out nearly 30 top Gannett honchos did … Continue reading →

Posted in Arbitration, future of newspapers, Joel's J School | 3 Comments