Fall Roundup by Dolor Ipsum, via Flickr
Plenty of great thought-provoking stuff on the Web this week, from competing publications within one news org to what I think will shape up to be a big fight between journalism and college sports:
Jason Kristufek’s well-researched discussion of a pretty innovative idea: making print and online separate and even competitive arms of the same company. Jason’s in a good position to do this (because his company is being proactive and forward-thinking) but this is going to be a hard-sell in a more entrenched newsroom that won’t even spring for a freelance Web developer.
Journalism’s biggest problems are not online: They’re inside
This really points out a tough truth, especially the hard looks at journalism shortcuts like taking the easy route on tough stories, reporting on politics instead of governance and lazy “he-said, she-said reporting.”
Think finding a new revenue model is difficult? These problems are systemic and institutional.
15 Unconventional Uses of WordPress in Action
Now we’re talking. WordPress rocks. I can think of more than a few ways to use these tools.
Startup news site rocking the boat in Portland
Nice. This project will be one to watch for sure.
Fewer Newspapers Fight to Open Court Proceedings
This kind of glaring omission on the part of news organizations only hastens their irrelevance in the minds of citizens. Moving forward, journalism foundations and professional organizations should start filling the gap on behalf of “journalism” rather than in the name of individual newspapers.
On the plus side:
Journalism Organizations Protest Big Ten Restrictions on Game Coverage
I’ve heard that the Gazette in Cedar Rapids was successful in pushing back at Iowa, who was giving them flak about liveblogging games, etc. Note that the SEC has Big Brother tendencies as well. I think this is going to be a full-on fight with the NCAA, with plenty of repercussions for small organizations who are kind of flying under the radar right now (and probably buckling under individual school pressures, I might add).
And speaking of college football:
The old college try: Seeing all 120 teams possible
OK, so I’m a little biased because this story gives Boise State props for using weeknight college games to gain relevance among college football fans. But it’s a pretty innovative strategy, no? And how else would everyone be talking about LeGarrette Blount this morning?