The best pure reporter on the Joplin Globe staff, and easily the most versatile, John Hacker ended his second stint with the newspaper when he gave notice Friday, which also turned out to be his last day.
Hacker will reportedly be the key figure in the new Joplin weekly being launched by Liberty Group Publishing, owner of the Carthage Press, Neosho Daily News, Neosho Post, and The Big Nickel.
More information on this development will be featured in upcoming posts.
Hacker is the latest in a long line of talented young reporters who have left the Globe in recent months.
12 comments:
As someone who worked with John Hacker for two years, I can say without question he was one of the few true good people at the Globe.
When there was breaking news, Hacker always seemed to be on the scene. He took a genuine interest in whatever it was that he was covering, something rare in this industry.
The Globe will surely miss him. They will never admit it, of course, but you can bet that behind closed doors, Chiodo, Simpson and Stark will be wondering what their next step is.
"The Globe will surely miss him. They will never admit it, of course, but you can bet that behind closed doors, Chiodo, Simpson and Stark will be wondering what their next step is."
More likely, given their recent track record, they are wondering what their next "misstep" is. Of course, it is even more likely that they probably don't even realize what is happening.
I'm in the TV business and I can honestly say I'll miss Hacker's articles and his reporting. He was really a nice person and anytime I saw him out, he was great. Turner, you got it right, he was one of the few good reporters. With Wells and Hacker gone, seems like they will be hurting big time.
I have been in the newspaper business for over 10 years now and I have worked near and around a lot of reporters. One of those reporters is John Hacker, and he was and still is a top notch writer and photographer, the latter not seen often enough in the news. He deffinately deserves better than what he had at the Globe. I am so happy to see that he has moved on to better things and I wish him good luck in all he does. I can see many awards and rewards in his future.
Just because you all are being way too nice...
I do have to say that Mr. Turner got one thing wrong in his post. John Hacker does not qualify as a talented *young* reporter. Talented, yes. *Young* not so much anymore. :)
But in all seriousness, the Globe undervalued John. I'm sure they are already feeling the pinch when time comes to fill the front page. I hope that all of you will take time to support John in his new venture.
The Globe undervalues most of its employees, from what I understand of a few friends who work there. Poor pay, high stress, disorganized management, inadequate staffing and unexplained changes in direction are frequent and common themes in their complaints about work. They've all said Hacker will be sorely missed but that he's just one of a half dozen reporters who have escaped the Globe's orbit lately in search of greener paychecks and saner working conditions.
I will stand by my comment about John being a young reporter. If I started thinking of John as a grizzled veteran, I'm going to start feeling really old.
Hey, in journalism, if you're under 35 you're "young." (Not that being over 35 makes you old. Please!) News outlets are always looking for "younger" readers and viewers by appealing to the 18-35 crowd. I'm sure it wasn't meant in a bad way, sis.
One of the great privileges in my life has been to work with and know John Hacker. We, his friends, may tease him but I cannot think of anyone more liked and respected than John.
Hacker has high values, the ethics we wish we all had and despite a few oddities (let's face it we all have one or two) he is just damn likable. Kick butt John!
OK, I don't know much about the Globe but I do know John. If the Globe keeps this kind of behavior up it won't be long until I don't have to stare at that UGLY logo of theirs anymore.
Yeah, bird cages will have plenty of clean lining before too long when all the good content is gone.
The birds of Joplin thank the Globe!
I know John personally and he has
such a keen sense of loyalty and
making a decision like this is
a struggle for him. He deserves
a rewarding career. Which for him
Journalism is in itself rewarding.
He loves his work and it shows. I
always wished for him however an
employer that would recognize his
efforts and compensate him
adequately. I might say that
the Joplin Globe is not alone in
underpay in this 4-State area. I
think it's time for people to
stop being so complacent and
accepting of these standards
we've unfortunately learned to
live with. Well that's another
subject. Back to John, I wish
him the very best in his new
endeavor. I know he'll give it
his all as he always does. Sorry
Joplin Globe. You've passed up
a gem of a reporter once again!
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