Free Press enemies list
10/20/08
[donation]
By Joel Thurtell
Thanks to Metro Times columnist Jack Lessenberry for tipping his columnist’s hat and sending more readers to joelontheroad.com.
In his September 24, 2008 column, Jack wrote about my column, called “The art of writing bullshit,” in which I posted a Free Press memo to staff outlining various promotions and, well, maybe, demotions. At a meeting called to talk about the job moves, Lessenberry reported, Free Press Editor Paul Anger told staffers the future of the Free Press might well involve dropping reports from the Associated Press and also could involve “killing fewer trees.”
“Killing fewer trees”?
Readers of joelontheroad.com know that I’ve mentioned rumors from inside the paper that the Freep’s paper publication might be reduced to three times a week in tabloid form. Is that what they mean by “killing fewer trees”?
A better term would be “killing a newspaper.” No better way to knock off a newspaper than to leave its vending machines empty four days a week.
Lessenberry mined some gems that didn’t roll my way. Here’s how he wrote about Anger’s little pep talk with staffers: “After Anger explained how they were further diminishing the paper, he asked staffers not to talk about it to outsiders because ‘it doesn’t help, it can give comfort or ideas to the enemy.’ ”
Now I’m wondering, which enemy does Paul Anger mean?
Can’t be the Detroit News. That former arch-rival has been neutralized. It now belongs to Gannett, also owner of the Freep.
Can’t be the Observer & Eccentric chain of suburban papers. Gannett owns them, too. Why, most of the O & E staff are moving right in with the Newsies and Freepsters on West Lafayette.
Nor could it be the suburban Mirror papers. Yes indeed, you guessed it — in Gannett’s pocket.
Well, who’s the enemy?
Hmmm.
The Metro Times?
Oh-oh. Could the MT be next in line on Gannett’s Monopoly board?
That would sure shut Jack Lessenberry up, wouldn’t it?
Hmmm. Who else might be on the Free Press enemies list?
No!
You gotta be kidding.
Where is the gratitude?
Why, who’s repeatedly held out to the flailing News and Free Press a helping hand in their hour of need?
So far, Gannett has not taken me up on my generous offer to merge their declining (so they say) operation with my upward-bound (so I say) blog, joelontheroad.com.
Hey, I don’t harbor a grudge.
My JOA offer still stands, guys. Give it some thought.
Only one thing I ask, besides putting me in charge:
Shred that enemies list!
Drop a line to joelthurtell(at)gmail.com
