http://patthorntonfiles.com/blog/2008/06/26/todays-thought-are-the-days-of-the-metro-newspaper-officially-numbered/ The blog of online journalist and Web developer Patrick Thornton. This blog seeks to combine journalism and Web development to forge a new frontier. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:22:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 http://patthorntonfiles.com/blog/2008/06/26/todays-thought-are-the-days-of-the-metro-newspaper-officially-numbered/#comment-4024 WhereTheNewsComesFirst Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:54:57 +0000 http://patthorntonfiles.com/blog/?p=309#comment-4024 What a loaded question you're asking. And all these suggestions that are being put out there are crap -- if you want to do real enterprising journalism that serves a community, you need an organization that holds the public's trust -- a reliable place where folks can turn to when there's something they want to know about. A round-about network of "regional" blogs isn't the answer to this. They want a powerhouse organization to dish the information out to them (i.e. the big Metro news service). For the nonjournalists who read this site, it takes manpower and money to do real news -- hit the shoeleather once in a while and you'll get a real story. What a loaded question you’re asking. And all these suggestions that are being put out there are crap — if you want to do real enterprising journalism that serves a community, you need an organization that holds the public’s trust — a reliable place where folks can turn to when there’s something they want to know about. A round-about network of “regional” blogs isn’t the answer to this. They want a powerhouse organization to dish the information out to them (i.e. the big Metro news service). For the nonjournalists who read this site, it takes manpower and money to do real news — hit the shoeleather once in a while and you’ll get a real story.

]]> http://patthorntonfiles.com/blog/2008/06/26/todays-thought-are-the-days-of-the-metro-newspaper-officially-numbered/#comment-4010 Drew Geraets Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:06:13 +0000 http://patthorntonfiles.com/blog/?p=309#comment-4010 I think it's a great opportunity for a lot of news startups. I ran out of pity for big metro papers a while ago. It's time to trade in some of these Cadillacs for hybrids. We need smaller, more numerous outlets with web-first mentalities (who link religiously to each other, building a regional network). Reduce the print version to non-breaking news (e.g. community profiles, features, a back-story on a breaking news item, etc.). Something better needs to <a href="http://www.runningdesign.com/2008/05/15/rise-from-newspaper-ashes/" rel="nofollow">rise from newspaper ashes</a>. I think it’s a great opportunity for a lot of news startups. I ran out of pity for big metro papers a while ago. It’s time to trade in some of these Cadillacs for hybrids. We need smaller, more numerous outlets with web-first mentalities (who link religiously to each other, building a regional network). Reduce the print version to non-breaking news (e.g. community profiles, features, a back-story on a breaking news item, etc.). Something better needs to rise from newspaper ashes.

]]> http://patthorntonfiles.com/blog/2008/06/26/todays-thought-are-the-days-of-the-metro-newspaper-officially-numbered/#comment-4009 Angela Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:29:58 +0000 http://patthorntonfiles.com/blog/?p=309#comment-4009 Yes. The days of the big metro as we know it. I suspect the "small" metro will take it's place, although the shape and content of that is TBD. The layoffs are staggering and I can't begin to express how happy I am that I decided to leave my South Florida newspaper early last year. I still believe that newspapers need to focus on enterprise and investigative. Do what you do better than anyone else! The breaking news game is played on the web. Period. That is no longer the battle. Yes. The days of the big metro as we know it. I suspect the “small” metro will take it’s place, although the shape and content of that is TBD. The layoffs are staggering and I can’t begin to express how happy I am that I decided to leave my South Florida newspaper early last year. I still believe that newspapers need to focus on enterprise and investigative. Do what you do better than anyone else! The breaking news game is played on the web. Period. That is no longer the battle.

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