FeedIt’s official: Local reporting is doomed
May 10, 2007 in Watchdog
What is there to say to this, except to speculate that it just may be a sign of the apocalypse:
(AP) PASADENA The job posting was a head-scratcher: “We seek a newspaper journalist based in India to report on the city government and political scene of Pasadena, California, USA.”
A reporter half a world away covering local street-light contracts and sewer repairs? A reporter who has never gotten closer to Pasadena than the telecast of the Rose Bowl parade?
Outsourcing first claimed manufacturing jobs, then hit services such as technical support, airline reservations and tax preparation. Now comes the next frontier: local journalism. James Macpherson, editor and publisher of the two-year-old Web site pasadenanow.com, acknowledged it sounds strange to have journalists in India cover news in this wealthy city just outside Los Angeles.
But he said it can be done from afar now that weekly Pasadena City Council meetings can be watched over the Internet. And he said the idea makes business sense because of India’s lower labor costs.
“I think it could be a significant way to increase the quality of journalism on the local level without the expense that is a major problem for local publications,” said the 51-year-old Pasadena native. “Whether you’re at a desk in Pasadena or a desk in Mumbai, you’re still just a phone call or e-mail away from the interview.”
I read this and I thought it had to be some sort of prank, but its carrying an AP byline on a real news Web site. Spot for a moment and let it sink in: They are starting to
Geeze. And I get grief for living just outside Peoria city limits.
May 10th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Unbelievable, though I’m sure bean counters looking at that salary-to-story ratio will be tempted to see if it works.
May 10th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
So, all because one publisher decides to try and outsource a reporting job, “[i]t’s official: Local reporting is doomed”?
Doncha think you’re jumping the gun on this one?
May 10th, 2007 at 11:20 pm
We covered the same issue in a little greater detail (because Pasadena is one of the cities we cover). Check out our comments:
http://foothillcities.blogspot.....-news.html
May 10th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
When it comes to covering meetings, there are reporters — and there are stenographers. If you can watch the meeting — in person, on TV, on the Web — you can write down everything that’s said and write a story from it. Is that reporting? Not really. Unfortunately, that is what passes for reporting at some newspapers. And, unfortunately, many readers are satisfied with that.
May 11th, 2007 at 11:38 am
A PJStar reporter reports on NASCAR without attending the biggest race of the year — the Daytona 500 — So where does 90% of the material come from that is published in the PJStar articles on NASCAR? GOOGLE! How can you tell? Just take an “interview” quote and Google it to find the real source and who was doing the interview …. many times these are STAGED interviews by the sponsor — Ford/Chevy. Tony Stewart said it was as phoney as pro wrestling and he was right — all the way to the “local reporting” staff.
sidebar — tony called it pro wrestling then next Sunday he is shaking his fist at track side at a fellow (racer?) for knocking him out of the race. Yes Tony, it looks a lot like pro wrestling!
May 11th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Every NASCAR interview ever:
“The (Insert sponsor)(Insert manufacturer) felt real good out there today. The crew did a great job getting the (Insert sponsor)(Insert manufacturer) ready all week and I’m real happy about the way the (Insert sponsor)(Insert manufacturer) performed. Now we just gotta get ready for next week at (Insert track) and hope we can keep it going and get to The Chase.”
May 11th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
In addition to:
I’d also like to thank (insert sponsor), (insert sponsor), (insert sponsor), (insert sponsor) … who am I forgeting … oh, (insert sponsor) and (insert sponsor). But yeah, comin’ into 3 on that last lap the (insert opponent’s car number) got into us a little, but it wasn’t intentional. It was just one of them racin’ deals.
Response to next question: Man, the (insert another opponent’s car number) ran good today.
May 11th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Typical NFL interview:
“Well, we hope (insert any of 100’s of players here) doesn’t have to go to jail. I think probation ought to be plenty. Yeah, he did buy those drugs and hit that security guard, and yes he was carrying an unregistered pistol, but he’s a great kid who just deserves another chance and like I said, he don’t need to be in no jail.”
Typical MLB interview:
“No, I never have put a syringe in my butt. What? You want me to take a piss test? Anytime, anywhere. Um, you want me to do it now? You have the bottle? Look, that’s an invasion of my privacy and I don’t have to answer to you or anyone else.”
Typical NBA interview:
“It’s never been proven that the one in Charlotte is my kid, same goes for the one in Cleveland. I’ll admit, the one in Denver is mine.”
Typical soccer interview:
“Well, I think you are incorrect. There was that one very exciting moment in the 78th minute when Ian sent in that lovely through ball which Simon then headed over to Felipe for that gorgeous half-volley that almost went in the net. Other than that, yes, play was a little slow today.”
And you guys have problems with NASCAR? LOL
May 11th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
It’s your dream
May 12th, 2007 at 2:43 am
At the risk of alienating some of my former co-workers, please don’t confuse the Toy Department (sports) with news.