The News About Newspapers

And Why You Are Here

By George SylvieSchool of Journalism

The University of Texas at Austin

The Bad News

The Good News

The Lukewarm News

More Tepid News

Mixed Blessings News

Hopeful News

End-of-Rainbow News

Pretty Good News

Not-so-good News

So?

• What is the future of newspapers?

• What is the future of journalism?

• What do you think?

The Future Begins Now

New Journalism Joke:

Q: If the newspaper industry were a baseball game, what inning would we be in now?

A: The 19th

The Pitcher: Technology

• “As tweets grow exponentially and traditional news outlets shed readers and staff, the digital realm, despite some limitations of access and signal disruptions, is simply more attractive—for speed, ease and multimedia storytelling. ”

-- Gerald Jordan, U. of Arkansas j prof in recent story on Philadelphia Inquirer

The Pitch

“The demand, in turn, for output has compounded stress in newsrooms where staffs are dwindling even though coverage areas are essentially unchanged. On a typical assignment, a reporter is expected now to report from the scene, photograph it if possible, post information on Twitter, file 150 to 200 words for the digital story, update a blog or the news organization’s Facebook page, then write an article for the newspaper that will be published the next morning. ”

The Owners’ Strategy

Trimming the Roster

“Smallball”

The Details

• “One run at a time” – Most newspapers are profitable, many with margins in the mid-teens. But net margins – after interest, taxes and special charges – are razor-thin.

• “Pick off plays” – Most papers achieved profitability largely through cutting.

• “Sacrifice bunts” – Some papers also operated in the red for 2011, essentially choosing to reinvest in new programs.

More “Small” Stuff

• “Reliable bullpen” – Stress investigative, local coverage

• “Defense” – Apps and Niche sites to extend and reinforce the brand

• “Steals” – Updating the web site to stay abreast, stay current, and scoop competitors

• “Walks” – Patiently and slowly using audience input to show interactivity, customer sensitivity

One Solution

• http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-february-9-2009/walter-isaacson

What’s Next?

• Your role• Why you’re here• What you can do about the news• BUT FIRST: A break, and word from our

sponsor

Newspaper Advisors are Different

• Nobody understands you• You share sense of mission with your staff• Journalism is multi-skilled• Multiple functions1. Extend the English program2. PR for the school3. School consumer advocate4. Outlet for expression5. Aim for higher order skills

Newspaper Readers are, too

What about You, The Reader?

From paper and online editions of newspapers to television newscasts, “The Daily Show,” Facebook and Twitter, there are many ways to get the news. What is your “go to” news source — and what kind of news are you looking for? Has this changed over the course of time for you or for your family?

Should News Be This?

Or That?

How About This?

Or This?

Or Even This?

Usually It’s About These

And These

Should it be?

• Let’s Play a Game!

Do Papers Make you Want to Read?

How Can You Make a Difference?

Your Students!

How You Teach Matters

So Does What You Know

And Your Approach to Pedagogy

Whether You’re This Gifted

Or a Superhero

It Starts Here

For the Next Two Weeks

We’ll Hone Your Reporting Skills

We’ll Fatten You on Ethics

We’ll Give You Promotional Tips

We’ll Help You Lay Down the Law

And to Navigate Certain Software

And How to Up the Ante on Sports

While Touting the 1st Amendment

And Understanding Design

And Help You Grasp Multimedia

In Short, We Have a Plan

YOU + US = EXCELLENCE

Thanks and Have a Good Time!