The news about newspapers these days has certainly been gloomy, and those of us who work here know you’ve been paying attention.
That’s why we get those concerned looks from well-meaning people we run into these days. “How are you guys doing over there?” they may ask, almost as if they’re asking about a sick puppy.
It’s actually a question we welcome because our answer is unexpected. We’re doing pretty well - thanks for asking.
While there’s no doubt that our company has not been immune to the economic recession, we have not been hit hard by the some of the problems unique to newspapers that so many larger publications have been facing. By and large, we’re holding our own because we’ve always operated with a major focus on local news and information, and we’ve operated efficiently.
If you dig a little deeper into the newspaper industry’s problems, you’ll see that the smaller, community-oriented newspapers are weathering the storm and making changes to make them even stronger for the future.
For some anecdotal evidence, check out journalismjobs.com, one of the most popular Web sites for journalists searching for career opportunities. Check out the places that are actually advertising journalism openings these days - mostly small-town newspapers.
A few months ago, when we had a reporter vacancy emerge, we posted the job at that Web site, and my e-mail inbox was quickly flooded with applications. The volume of response was probably 10 times greater than any other job I’ve posted, and many of the applicants we spoke with had a common observation — it seems like the small papers are the only ones hiring.
What’s interesting, though, is that despite the lack of journalism jobs - at least jobs that actually pay a salary — there are still plenty of talented college graduates looking to start a career in journalism. A University of Georgia professor’s survey found college journalism programs graduated more students than ever — 55,000 — in 2007-2008.
The situation has me and plenty of other small newspaper editors excited as the best and brightest future journalists more frequently see our newsrooms as the place to be.
Executive editor Jeremy Boyer’s columns appear Tuesdays in The Citizen and he can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 231 or jeremy.boyer@lee.net
It’s actually a question we welcome because our answer is unexpected. We’re doing pretty well - thanks for asking.
While there’s no doubt that our company has not been immune to the economic recession, we have not been hit hard by the some of the problems unique to newspapers that so many larger publications have been facing. By and large, we’re holding our own because we’ve always operated with a major focus on local news and information, and we’ve operated efficiently.
If you dig a little deeper into the newspaper industry’s problems, you’ll see that the smaller, community-oriented newspapers are weathering the storm and making changes to make them even stronger for the future.
For some anecdotal evidence, check out journalismjobs.com, one of the most popular Web sites for journalists searching for career opportunities. Check out the places that are actually advertising journalism openings these days - mostly small-town newspapers.
A few months ago, when we had a reporter vacancy emerge, we posted the job at that Web site, and my e-mail inbox was quickly flooded with applications. The volume of response was probably 10 times greater than any other job I’ve posted, and many of the applicants we spoke with had a common observation — it seems like the small papers are the only ones hiring.
What’s interesting, though, is that despite the lack of journalism jobs - at least jobs that actually pay a salary — there are still plenty of talented college graduates looking to start a career in journalism. A University of Georgia professor’s survey found college journalism programs graduated more students than ever — 55,000 — in 2007-2008.
The situation has me and plenty of other small newspaper editors excited as the best and brightest future journalists more frequently see our newsrooms as the place to be.
Executive editor Jeremy Boyer’s columns appear Tuesdays in The Citizen and he can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 231 or jeremy.boyer@lee.net
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Farmer's Gal wrote on Sep 26, 2009 4:46 AM:
We don't plan to pay that, esp when there is less and less local content and the local paper is more filled with AP stuff people can get elsewhere.
Meanwhile, we hear that the Southern Tier newspapers are moving towards combined operations -- some are already combined -- and probably to a single newspaper to replace Ithaca, Binghamton and I think Elmira (either that or Corning, I can't remember).
So it is indeed nice to hear that by remaining small and independent and focused on local news, which is making The Citizen more economically viable in hard times. "
yikes wrote on Sep 23, 2009 8:06 PM:
Thanks to auburnpub.com that's still possible.
However, I can see the possibility of the Citizen having to charge for such a quality service in the future.
If/when that time comes, I'd be willing to pay for that service. Keep up the great work!!! "