As media company after media company fall on hard times, the amount of handwringing within the journalistic community is reaching epic proportions.
One point not often noticed, however is that there are many similarities between the American media business and our auto manufacturing industry as Tony Hopfinger points out in an excellent Alaska Dispatch post:
There are many reasons for the downturn - a weak economy, the Internet, etc. But one explanation that often goes unmentioned is the generally poor management within the newspapers themselves. It's surprising how many editors, publishers and executives have been allowed to keep their jobs as their papers crumble around them. In any other business, these managers would be replaced. Instead, failures are blamed on "markets" and "ad dollars" and "the Internet," instead of lack of vision and poor leadership.
Story Continues Below Ad ↓One example is the [Anchorage] Daily News's decision to shutter its bureau in the state capital. The paper had been staffing the bureau during the legislative session, and it used to have a full-time reporter in Juneau a couple years ago. At a time when Alaska's governor has become a national rock star, when the biggest corruption scandal in state history continues to unfold, when low oil prices threaten to lead to budget deficits, why would the Anchorage Daily News close its Juneau bureau entirely?
There are interesting parallels between the demise of America's automobile industry and newspapers. If executives from McClatchy, the third-largest newspaper chain in the country, and others came to Congress seeking subsidies and loans, it's not hard to imagine they would be grilled by congressional lawmakers over years of incompetence to change their business model. Just like cars, newspapers are a vital American industry. And just as with automakers, some of the newspapers companies may deserve to fail.
It is a very simple equation. New technologies and open world markets have forever changed every facet of modern business. Unfortunately American auto and media companies have yet to realize this for the most part.
I strongly disagree with those who pronounce print dead or think that American cars just can't compete in the marketplace. Both assumptions are generally false. At least currently, however they seem to be true, however.
If both industries wised up and realized that the age of no competition and fat profit margins is gone forever, things would be different.
—Matthew Sheffield is the creator of NewsBusters and its Executive Editor.
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Comments Policy
They made their choices Matt.
December 17, 2008 - 14:15 ET by superconTo media organizations like The NTY's and the WashPo and the L.A.times their priorities were not financial but political.They were like the the commanders of the destroyers at Omaha beach on D-day.
"I don't care how dangerous it is...get in closer to the beach and lay down some cover fire for Obama.Take out that plumber!"
They risked all they had to destroy the Republican party and did a pretty good job.They also had plenty of help from McCain and other RINO'S.
In the end I don't think they really care if they lose their jobs because they put all their eggs in this one basket this one time and to them it was worth it.
I despise liberals but I will say one thing about them.They are committed to their cause.In that way Republicans could learn a thing or two.
Choices
December 17, 2008 - 18:51 ET by JDWGovernment made too many choices for the Big 3 and as a result Chrysler has announced they are closing their manufacturing plants.
JDW
DAILY WAVE
There are no markets in
December 17, 2008 - 15:10 ET by fitzfongThere are no markets in propaganda. These failing businesses believe that they will stay in business because their existence is "in the public's best interests"...so they will use that conceit to demand, and probably get, massive taxpayer subsidies to keep afloat. Obama and his stacked Congress need a propaganda unit to spread their garbage talking points, so they will not permit these organizations to go under. Meanwhile, they will attempt to destroy the public's right to the internet and talk radio through the "Fairness" Doctrine...further subsidising the dinosaur propaganda instruments like the NYT, WaPo, LAT at taxpayer expense. Public demand is irrelevant to Marxists, they're going to try to save these fraudulent newspapers using code words and phrases like "public need", "public interest", "fairness", "checks and balances", "hate speech" and "all the news that's fit to print".
"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." -Ronald Reagan
fitzfong.blogspot.com
Print is out for solid reasons
December 17, 2008 - 15:19 ET by Willis_Leon_JohnsonFor a couple of generations the print media has covered up the fact that more and more peple are being pushed through school with never having learned to read.
Now, a large percentage of the population cannot read the majority of 'news stories' and rely more on the broadcast media because it really is easier than working their way through all the long 5 and 6 letter words. Some really hard words are even longer....
The print media hid it until it began to kill the medium, now it's too late.
How many liberal?
December 17, 2008 - 16:00 ET by jackie3How many liberal papers, mags, ect do you really need? They are all the same! Report the same crap over and over again. There is a market in conservative, libertarian magazines. Local papers that are run by conservative editors have been INCREASING in sales.
Most people, even liberals, admit there is such a slew of big business media that is so one sided they do not feel the need to buy more than one. (In my case non at all)
The main stream media today is like a grocery store filled with nothing but beer. The products comes packaged in different ways but is all the same. If you want something other than beer you have to go to a different store.
Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
Products
December 17, 2008 - 16:41 ET by NorthCoasterProducts that appeal to the American consumer are another key to business viability. The MSM has become filled with scandalous, trumped negative stories, useless information and a dearth of true investigative reporting. The big 3 automakers have been hamstrung by government regulation and union contracts to the point where they are finding it tough to build affordable vehicles that Americans want to buy. The MSM hasn't yet figured out that their poor product has caused their demise.
MEDIA BIAS/BAY OF PIG'S/PORK-A-PIG IN CONGRESS!
December 18, 2008 - 14:19 ET by MADMARVWHEN ARE THE LOONS IN CONGRESS, AND THE PRESS WHO PRAISED THE OBAMA ADMIN FOR GIVING THEM, A TINGLE UP THEIR COLLECTIVE LEG,GOING TO WAKE UP? WHEN PIG'S FLY! MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE HOUS THEY ARE GETTING READY TO PISS DOWN OUR BACKS AND TELL US THE RAIN IS GOOD FOR OUR CONSTITUTION-ALL’S AND BUILD CHARACTER? THIS FIASCO IN THE FINANCIAL CRISIS WAS MANIPULATED AND ABETTED BY THIS DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS AND THE CLINTON ADMIN IN THE 90'S, ALONG WITH JESSE JACKSON AND THE CHICAGO POLITICAL MACHINE AND AYERS, WRIGHT, WITH ALL THE BACKING OF THE SOCIALIST AGENDA THAT THEY ESPOUSE. NOW, YOU HAVE TO REAP WHAT THEY SOWED, TOTAL CHAOS IN THE POLITICAL HOUSES OF THIS NATION. NO ACCOUNTABILITY, PELOSI "LAYING DOWN THE LAW" TO THE OBAMA ADMIN, WHEN THEY CAN AND HAVE GONE BEHIND THE AMERICAN VOTERS BACK, TAKEN DONATIONS FOR QUID PRO QUO LEGISLATION AND "NOW?" , THEY WANT NO BACK DOOR, REACH AROUND? ALL, THE WHILE, THEY SCREW ALL THE TAX PAYERS AGAIN? HEY HOW CAN WE GET A BAIL OUT OF THE, THIS AGENDA? BAILOUT BLUES, WHERE IS MINE? NO ONE IS HELPING ME PAY MY CREDIT CARD, HOUSE PAYMENT, INSURANCE, FOOD, OR ANY OTHER OF “MY” BILL’S, BUT THEY WANT TO TAKE MORE OF MY MONEY IN TAXES TO DO WHAT? BAILOUT THE WALL STREET, WHO “MADOFF, WITH HOW MUCH?” AND THE BIG THREE, AUTO MAKERS WHO DROVE THEIR BUSINESS INTO THE DITCH AT WARP SPEED? FORGIVE ME BUT ENOUGH IS TOO MUCH! LET THEM FILE CHAPTER 11, SO SAY’S WHITE HOUSE, “A STRUCTURED BANKRUPCY” SO THE UNION GET WHAT? “WHAT THEY, DESERVE” NOTHING IF THE BIG TREE GO BANKRUPT! AND NEITHER DO THE “PRIVATE” OWNERS OF GM, THE THREE HEADED DOG THAT GARDS THE GATE’S OF HELL BY NAME IS: CEREBUS! AND, AS FOR WHAT WE DO ABOUT THE RUSSIAN'S? THIS NEW BAY OF PIG FIASCO WILL CULMINATE IN THEM PUTTING IN A MISSILE DEFENSE SHIELD IN FOR CASTRO, AND CHAVES TOO WITH HELP FOR THE NUCLEAR PROGRAM FOR “THEM” AS WELL?WELL PAVLOV IAN RESPONSE IS WHAT? AND FOR THE POTEMPKIN VILLAGE IDIOTS IN CONGRESS AND THIS NEW SENATE, CHICAGO STYLE POLITICS’ ARE REAL NICE TO COME HOME TO, THIS CHICKEN COOP, CRAP SHOOT, HAVE INDEED COME HOME TO ROOST? THE WOLF IS AT THE DOOR, SO OBAMA’S MOMMA’S BOY. IT IS, TOO LATE, NO ONE WILL BELIEVE YOU MEAN WHAT YOU SAY. SO LET THE LITTLE BOY SCREAM AND POSE FOR THE POSSE, AND HIS BOY'S IN THE HOOD, BUT DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY! THE HEAD HOODIE IS IN CHARGE? WHILE THEY MAX OUT THE DEBT THE TAX PAYER HAS TO PICK UP FOR THEIR: CELEBRITY PARTY!
AAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
END TRANS: MADMARV!