Does triCityNews produce news, or just ad space?

Posted by on . 4 comments.

Anil Dash wonders whether triCityNews is in fact a newspaper at all.

Not once in David Carr’s piece did the publisher of the triCityNews, Dan Jacobson, mention content, journalism, journalistic mission or serving readers. Instead, he talks about how “I don’t want anything that detracts from the paper and the presence of those big, beautiful full-page ads” and “business sense” and “running lean” and keeping advertisers happy.

All that’s great, but you would think that someone who started a “newspaper” startup less than 10 years ago, would talk about his love of journalism or how his newspaper is serving the community better. You know, the reasons that all of us got into journalism. Maybe this is Carr’s fault for not choosing one quote that relates to journalism, but Dash concludes:

That’s not to say Jacobson doesn’t value journalism. It’s just that it’s absolutely clear that his priority is his advertisers. Thus, I submit that the triCityNews, while certainly a paper, is likely not a newspaper.

Making a profitable penny saver is a lot easier than making a real, profitable news operation that serves its community. It sounds like the triCityNews exists to be a pleasant place for local advertisers. It has lots of ad space that is surrounded by soft, friendly content.

Even Carr admits that the triCityNews is ”boosterish.” Maybe it even has some friendly content thrown in about frequent advertisers.

Good for the triCityNews for serving the advertisers of Ashbury Park. Nothing wrong with that. It’s just business.

But shame on Carr for not proving that the triCityNews serves its community well. Most people in a community aren’t advertisers, and they are served by quality editorial content. Maybe the triCityNews is a fantastic editorial product, but I wouldn’t bet on it. 

It can’t be that hard to be profitable weekly with 3.5 full-time employees — of which at least 1.5 have nothing to do with editorial and another being a publisher with no journalism background or apparent love of journalism. It looks like the editorial content is mostly produced by some part-time columnists and the executive editor.

For a real eye opener, Dash puts all of Jacobson’s quotes together. Then judge for yourself whether Carr has founded an oasis in the newspaper industry or just a paper with a lots of ads.

  • Mark Howers

    The TriCity News is anything but soft, friendly content. The paper tells it likes it is and is certainly not a fluff paper. In fact, they are pretty upfront about keeping advertising and editorial separate. In other words, just because you’re an advertiser doesn’t mean you are a fit editorially. It’s also not a community newspaper. Tricity is also a major reason why Asbury Park has come back to life. Without their “boosterish” support starting years ago, the place would still be a dump.

    It’s funny how if you print content on newsprint you are some how required to serve the community. You obviously have never read the paper and don’t get the jist of what they do. I am a loyal reader. I love the fact that TriCity has the balls to say what ever they want with out fear of losing advertisers.

    It is what it is. A very fun to read, funny as shit, collection of pages printed on paper (not news in the traditional sense). It’s funny how in the newspaper world you’re are criticized for having too many ads. At the end of the day its business, just like any other small, independent business trying to survive, especially in this economic climate. There credibility shouldn’t be diminished based on the amount of ads they have.

  • http://sellingprint.blogspot.com Michael Josefowicz

    And,. . . .if you follow the money, wouldn’t most business people at most newspapers agree with “I don’t want anything that detracts from the paper and the presence of those big, beautiful full-page ads” and “business sense” and “running lean” and keeping advertisers happy.

    The irony is that newsPapers might do best by outsourcing the journalism – to outfits like Politico – cut their overhead to the bone, and keep putting out a paper filled to the brim with affordable local advertising.

    Meanwhile, as more talented journos gather around on line communities they will find the new business models. But to be clear, the business model of a newspaper is to sell advertising. I say let them focus on that. And let the journos do their work not on the payroll of outfits that can’t afford them.

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  • johnnyspotter

    For any of you not familiar with Tri City News, I found this online and it seems to sum up the paper quite well:

    “Asbury Park’s Hometown Newspaper

    triCityNews is a feisty, sometimes pain in the ass little number. Anybody who remembers New York City’s Village Voice in its fledgling years will recognize triCityNews. Anybody who remembers the defunct SoHo Weekly News may wish triCity editors would read every single back issue. For the moment, triCity is in its adolescence and can be as annoying as any teenager. But, you know, that’s how they like it. triCity cares little for what stodgy towns like Ocean Grove think of it. triCity will tell you outright, its true love is James Bradley’s shining city on the sea (Asbury Park).”