Bailey whistling in the dark about threat from bloggers
I recommend that journalism students — especially those who might someday aspire to write a column — read the Journal Star’s Mike Bailey every Sunday for a lesson in how to not write a newspaper column.
Were the man not an editor — I forget his exact title, and I’m not going to waste the five seconds it would take to look it up — someone above him would have slapped him upside the head with a rolled up newspaper and reminded about the need to get to the point.
When I see a column that wanders around before the writer can gets to real reason he or she is writing the column, I know that we’ve got a case where the writer didn’t really have as much to say as originally expected, and is padding. Did we really need to read about how Bailey doesn’t like using the automated check-out line at Kroger before we get to this nugget from this week’s column:
Apparently we’re about to be replaced by cloggers or doggers or sloggers or bloggers – that’s the one – which as I understand it consist mostly of nocturnal creatures living in cluttered, windowless basements where, beneath a single bare light bulb, they sit behind computers in their skivvies into the wee hours, flailing at “the man” and confessing things to the world most wouldn’t share in polite company while also devouring bag after bag of Doritos.
Bailey’s point: Bloggers are nerds. And more to the point: People who blog about the media are wasting their time.
Gee, so that’s why my ears were burning when I woke up.
As far as arguments that newspapers will never be replaced by the Internet, I’ve better more lucid and compelling arguments elsewhere. Funny thing is, only a fool really thinks that newspapers will be replaced by bloggers. The common belief is that media organizations that do not take the existence of bloggers into consideration will continue to see their credibility erode along with their circulation (or ratings, as the case may be).
So, how are the JS’s circ figures these days, Mike? How do they stand up to 10 years ago? 5 years ago? That’s what I thought.
Bailey and his luddite ilk can write about bloggers in their parents’ basements if it makes them feel better. It’s also somewhat comforting, I understand, to whistle when one walks through a graveyard at night. This blogger, however, is sitting at his desk, with his journalism degree and several minor news writing awards up on the wall. And he’s keeping an eye on the Journal Star.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
He must of been opposed to Hilyard writing the article. How dare he bring bloggers up in a sacred newspaper!
Being criticized by any editoral member of the JPStar is akin to having insults screamed at you by an obviously delusional bag woman living in a subway station. You can’t take the insults seriously because she is clearly insane. I think Mikey sounds a bit insecure…
You may have awards on your wall, but the more important question, at least as far as Mike is concerned, is “Are you wearing any pants?”.
davidh
I make it a matter of policy to always wear pants after noon, whether I need to or not.
I’m not wearing pants right now and I feel good about that. As far as Mike Bailey goes, yeah, let’s alienate all the young people and insult them, that’s a real good idea. Zero growth potential, good business plan.
I’ll take his blogger on automatic checkouts over the lame cheap shots at our president and republicans anyday.
Okay, I’m stealing this from Merle Widmer’s site. Mike Bailey needs to heed Bill Gate’s advice: “Be nice to nerds. Chances are, you’ll be working for one.” In Bailey’s case, lets hope it’s sooner, rather than later.
Wonder if they just got the latest results of how many folks are (still) reading their rag? As the trend appears to be going in the negative direction for the dailies. And Bailey felt the need to fire a rather limp barreled broadside across our collective brows. “Curse you Red Bloggers!!” “Curse you and all your boxer wearing cronies!!”
[...] First: I claim credit for introducing a certain member of the editorial board to the term “luddite.” [...]
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