Comments on: Maybe nobody in the newsroom wanted the job… http://www.joethink.com/blog/2007/04/maybe-nobody-in-the-newsroom-wanted-the-job/ Thoughts on building relevance, online storytelling, and local journalism Sun, 06 Jul 2008 00:55:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Rusty Coats http://www.joethink.com/blog/2007/04/maybe-nobody-in-the-newsroom-wanted-the-job/#comment-282 Rusty Coats Tue, 17 Apr 2007 14:16:04 +0000 http://www.joethink.com/blog/2007/04/maybe-nobody-in-the-newsroom-wanted-the-job/#comment-282 TBO's former Breaking News producer took a job as on-air talent for the local FOX affiliate several weeks ago, and we filed the paperwork to fill the position. That took several days to get proper sign-off, so the timing of this job appearing alongside layoff news is coincidental. Also, TBO and the Tribune operate on separate budgets, including personnel. TBO also is filling positions on the tech, sales and sales support side. Sorry to spoil any kneejerk conspiracy theories. But then, I also believe Oswald acted alone. TBO’s former Breaking News producer took a job as on-air talent for the local FOX affiliate several weeks ago, and we filed the paperwork to fill the position. That took several days to get proper sign-off, so the timing of this job appearing alongside layoff news is coincidental. Also, TBO and the Tribune operate on separate budgets, including personnel. TBO also is filling positions on the tech, sales and sales support side. Sorry to spoil any kneejerk conspiracy theories. But then, I also believe Oswald acted alone.

]]> By: Ryan Sholin http://www.joethink.com/blog/2007/04/maybe-nobody-in-the-newsroom-wanted-the-job/#comment-279 Ryan Sholin Mon, 16 Apr 2007 14:17:02 +0000 http://www.joethink.com/blog/2007/04/maybe-nobody-in-the-newsroom-wanted-the-job/#comment-279 Title says it all. Maybe no one getting laid off actually wanted the job. There are still journalists out there who believe ink-on-paper is their medium, and won't be lowered to learning about this newfangled Interweb and all its kneejerk reactions and hit pieces with no evidence or sources. That's what online journalism is all about, right? Hmm... Maybe we should be glad TBO is looking for some new blood. Title says it all. Maybe no one getting laid off actually wanted the job. There are still journalists out there who believe ink-on-paper is their medium, and won’t be lowered to learning about this newfangled Interweb and all its kneejerk reactions and hit pieces with no evidence or sources.

That’s what online journalism is all about, right? Hmm… Maybe we should be glad TBO is looking for some new blood.

]]> By: Joe http://www.joethink.com/blog/2007/04/maybe-nobody-in-the-newsroom-wanted-the-job/#comment-278 Joe Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:50:23 +0000 http://www.joethink.com/blog/2007/04/maybe-nobody-in-the-newsroom-wanted-the-job/#comment-278 @Angela: In my experience, breaking news producer positions are heavier on the journalism skills than the techy stuff. @Stephen: I'll try asking Rusty Coats at TBO and get his perspective. @Angela: In my experience, breaking news producer positions are heavier on the journalism skills than the techy stuff.

@Stephen: I’ll try asking Rusty Coats at TBO and get his perspective.

]]> By: Stephen Downes http://www.joethink.com/blog/2007/04/maybe-nobody-in-the-newsroom-wanted-the-job/#comment-275 Stephen Downes Mon, 16 Apr 2007 10:59:27 +0000 http://www.joethink.com/blog/2007/04/maybe-nobody-in-the-newsroom-wanted-the-job/#comment-275 This is actually pretty typical. When the management of an organization wants to dramatically restructure their workforce (ie., cut positions, lower pay, eliminate seniority, and break the union if one exists) they fire everybody in the plant and then open the new positions for new hires. Presumably the existing employees would have the inside track, but they have to go through the rehiring process - this little ceremony confirms that this is a "new' position, and therefore, confers none of the benefits that would otherwise be carried over from the previous position. It is, of course, a cynical and manipulative ploy. Such an organization probably also manipulates the news. I would no longer trust and reporting (if I ever did) from that organization. This is actually pretty typical.

When the management of an organization wants to dramatically restructure their workforce (ie., cut positions, lower pay, eliminate seniority, and break the union if one exists) they fire everybody in the plant and then open the new positions for new hires. Presumably the existing employees would have the inside track, but they have to go through the rehiring process - this little ceremony confirms that this is a “new’ position, and therefore, confers none of the benefits that would otherwise be carried over from the previous position.

It is, of course, a cynical and manipulative ploy. Such an organization probably also manipulates the news. I would no longer trust and reporting (if I ever did) from that organization.

]]> By: angela http://www.joethink.com/blog/2007/04/maybe-nobody-in-the-newsroom-wanted-the-job/#comment-267 angela Mon, 16 Apr 2007 04:04:02 +0000 http://www.joethink.com/blog/2007/04/maybe-nobody-in-the-newsroom-wanted-the-job/#comment-267 That is weird. One possible explanation is the online news producer position required advanced technical skills. Sometimes it's easier, cheaper and quicker for a news org to hire someone with those skills rather than retraining current employees. I'm not saying it's cool, but it makes sense. It sort of reminds me of a discussion over at my blog about how <a href="http://angelagrant.blogspot.com/2007/04/online-journalism-symposium-review.html" rel="nofollow">it's important for journalism students to gain those in-demand tech skills</a>. I guess that discussion should be reworded--It's important for ALL JOURNALISTS to get those skills. That is weird. One possible explanation is the online news producer position required advanced technical skills. Sometimes it’s easier, cheaper and quicker for a news org to hire someone with those skills rather than retraining current employees. I’m not saying it’s cool, but it makes sense. It sort of reminds me of a discussion over at my blog about how it’s important for journalism students to gain those in-demand tech skills. I guess that discussion should be reworded–It’s important for ALL JOURNALISTS to get those skills.

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