The man assigned the task is Dale Brendel, executive editor of the Leavenworth Times.
This appears to be yet another attempt to fill up the newspapers with content, most of it not relevant to local readers, while continuing to make do with barebones staffs and unrealistic deadlines that keep our area newspapers from reporting even the biggest stories on a timely basis.
From GateHouse:
"Our newsrooms are developing more unique digital content — videos, blogs and social media interaction — than ever before. Regional editors will help flex these efforts and ensure we're maximizing our resources in every region. They are leaders in their own markets and are key as we grow in the ever-changing digital space," said David Arkin, vice president of content & audience for GateHouse Media.
Listed below are the newspapers that Brendel will provide "regional content" for:
Nebraska
Nebraska City
Syracuse Journal Democrat
Iowa
Hamburg Reporter
West Missouri
Aurora Advertiser
Carthage Press
Greenfield Vedette
Maryville Daily Forum
Neosho Daily News
The Examiner
Central and East Kansas
Andover American
Augusta Daily Gazette
Leavenworth Times
Morning Sun
The El Dorado Times
The McPherson Sentinel
The Newton Kansan
Wellington Daily News
2 comments:
That is just not right! Ridiculous. May have to cancel my Neosho subscription over this one.
I don't subscribe to the paper anymore, but if the web site is any indication, Gatehouse needs to spend some money on local reporters and local content, which is the only way to keep local folks interested in the paper.
When I visit the Carthage Press web site I see a six image slide show take up most of my screen, but the only local stuff on there is a couple of stories from the school (of interest to the parents, not many others) and a check presentation, which is a nice plug for the organization, but I'm not a member so I don't really care about that one either.
The top of the web site also has an area called "News Now The Latest From Our Newsroom" but the stories there are about the mortgage settlement, some facebook protest, and the Duggar family, with only one interesting local story (two days old) about an investigation by the sheriff's department.
If Gatehouse management thinks eliminating local reporters and shoveling out watered down web sites with crappy content is going to be their business strategy, they are idiots. And by the way, my browser blocks most ads and pop up windows, so keep that in mind as you form your business strategy.
Post a Comment