Tag Archives: Newspapers

Fantasy JOA, Round Two

Posted on March 30, 2011 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell Guess I was ahead of my time. I could have won myself ten thousand big ones if I’d just been a little patient. But now, I had to shoot off my big mouth. Actually, I’m glad I … Continue reading →

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Of rats and humans

Posted on September 8, 2010 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell What kind of human being would do this: Fire 6,000 employees, freeze the pay of those who remain and then demand they take 12 percent pay cuts. And give himself a 50 percent raise, banking $4.7 million … Continue reading →

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I’m ‘yellow’! No, I’m ‘red’!

Posted on June 13, 2010 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell It’s an idictment meant to unsettle the nerves of any correct-thinking Journalist: I’ve been charged with Yellow Journalism. My accuser — whom I don’t know — sent me an e-mail under the subject heading “Manny Maroun”: Joel, … Continue reading →

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‘Loyalty’ and all that

Posted on May 10, 2010 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell Shhh! Please keep this under your hat. It’s an idea that could make me a bundle of money. I don’t mind sharing it with you, but please, PLEASE, don’t pass it on to somebody who might steal … Continue reading →

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Maunderings of a media mogul

Posted on March 20, 2010 by hro50ta1

A play in one act By Joel Thurtell The hero of our new unillustrated, eponymous comic strip is the head of a once huge media company hard-hit by an economic recession. He is struggling with the same moral issues that … Continue reading →

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Saving newspapers: A modest proposal

Posted on December 8, 2009 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell [paypal-donation] I could make a fortune with this idea, except I got it from The New York Times. I’d have to kick something back to them, probably. For once, it might be worth it. It’s amazingly simple, … Continue reading →

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Of pizzas, pools and prosecutors: or, how the ‘Free’ Press (once again) muzzled itself

Posted on November 29, 2009 by hro50ta1

The Wall Street Journal‘s revelation that my onetime employer, The Detroit [Self-Styled] Free Press, had invited advertisers to participate in the reporting and editing process came as no surprise to me. I worked at the Free Press 23 years if … Continue reading →

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Who scotched the tale?

Posted on November 9, 2009 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell [paypal-donation] You never know who scotched the tale, Only that it didn’t run. No space! No space! You know that’s bull. You never know why the yarn got spiked, Only that it didn’t run. No space! No … Continue reading →

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More Freep layoffs

Posted on October 17, 2009 by hro50ta1

By Joel Thurtell While I was towing our floating docks across Patten Bay closing the cottage for ’09, a good ten hours drive from Motown, managers at the Detroit Free Press were sharpening their knives. More editorial staffers will be … Continue reading →

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Cards on the table

Posted on November 30, 2008 by admin

Cards on the table 11/17/08 [donation] By Joel Thurtell Reading last weekend’s Detroit Free Press, with a veritable phalanx of columnists weighing in for a bailout of Detroit’s car-makers, was a pretty daunting experience for me. I’ve taken the opposite … Continue reading →

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