PressEthic

The bad news just keeps coming. After perusing the front page of Romenesko today, I decided to quit NYU, go home, and get a job in the local deli where I can make comparable money without the stress of being a journalist in a market that is seemingly dying. Of course, I’m just kidding…well, I think I’m just kidding.

Romensko posted two articles of interest to any aspiring newspaper journalist. First, according to Taylor Bright of the Huntsville Times, the Birmingham Post-Herald closed its doors after 80 years and left 43 newsroom people without jobs on Thursday. Second, according to a memo sent to Romenesko from the executive officer of the San Jose Newspaper Guild, Knight Ridder will cut 51 jobs from the San Jose Mercury News newsroom.

Add these to the number of newsroom jobs cut by the New York Times Company (80) and the previous cuts by Knight Ridder (100), and things really begin to look bleak for broadsheets.

All this makes me think that I better start to enjoy blogging, I might have to make a career out of it.

Oh, but wait! A politician is coming to my rescue! According to an article by KYW’s Mike Dunn, Senator Vince Fumo, often the target of the media, is asking Knight Ridder to not cut any jobs because, he says, “I truly believe what I say, that without a free press you don’t have a free society."

Fat chance, Mr. Fumo.

I appreciate his effort, but the truth is that my favorite medium is dying. Eventually I will have to give in and shift my efforts to cyberspace. I’m not sure if that is good or bad. Perhaps I just need to get used to the idea that I can find the same quality news on the internet, and a lot more of it.