Statesman Journal Struggles

(SALEM, Ore.) - Recent struggles by Statesman Journal editors to engage online media, echo sophomoric inability to adapt to online media. In his interview with Charlie Rose, Ken Auletta (recent author of GOOGLE) describes print editors as a poor fit for online media. Rapid emergence of internet media has made print editors, their craft, their skills, print media, policies and content obsolete.

Newspapers used to be about collection and analysis of news. Through poor management print media has become lazy, advocacy journalism, according the Katherine Hall Jameson (interviewed by Bill Moyers).

In contrast, OPB and NPR journalists are quick to use their index of experts on any topic to analyze news and provide meaningful background and to clearly report online commentary, much of which also comes from experts. Technology has created a much stronger and complete story about current events.

Statesman Journal proves Ken Auletta’s, November 2009 assertion. Bill Church is unable to coincidently support online media and basic English tools like punctuation and paragraphs. Bill resists online communication, perhaps in the mistaken belief, it competes with traditional print journalism. It doesn’t compete. It displaces print journalism as affirmed by falling circulation. The news cycle is no longer 24 hours. It is more like a ten minute news cycle.

Statesman Journal editors must feel threatened by online respondents, as recent reflected by subordination of the online commentary. Online commentary is correctly critical of Statesman Journal content and presentation. Statesman Journal is far behind major online media publishers across the country.

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Henry Ruark November 8, 2009 10:26 am (Pacific time)

To all
For devastating, detailed beginnings of this continuing saga sanctioning desperate self-denigration via media madness for monies,see classic booK: The Chain Gang: One Newspaper vs the Gannett Empire; Richard McCord;U/Missouri Press; 1996.
ISBN 0-8262-1375-8.
Details Salem situation as early part of monetizing our once-free/press, seeking high returns while depreciating every aspect of true community service.
"See also" 20-yr. record of Salem Citizens Forum, dialog and examples by many.
Disclosure: BCR employed at S-J during crucial years in book.

Anonymous November 6, 2009 10:08 am (Pacific time)

Nice Letter to the Editor! The Statesman-Urinal has become a tool for the City of Salem to promote its agenda. The SJ rarely criticizes the city and its officials for misdeeds. In fact, the SJ seems to attack those critical of the establishment. I think there is a relationship among the SJ and the city's top brass that no one is informed about.

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