New Orleans returning to daily publication

I get what you're saying, but if reporting staff is cut to the bone — and/or experienced writers and photogs are forced out — people won't read the online reporting, either. Ask the Ann Arbor News how that worked out.

 

One aspect of this that I rarely see mentioned is that it seems like most --- if not all -- the management types come up through the advertising/circulation departments. Seems to be very few high-level execs who ever were actual news people.

As a result, I think many don't have respect for the product that was present a generation ago. It's more of the "just make deadline and don't do anything to get us sued" mentality. The only time they seem to give two whits about content is if it wins some sort of contest to boost the reputation. No one wants to invest in content. It's easier and more profitable to hire a stringer at $50 per story because that fills the newshole just as well.

 

I suppose that's true, but if that's the case you'd think some of them have some kind of business sense. Like they see where the money comes from, you'd think they could come up with a plan that does something on the revenue side rather than just slashing costs.

 

The bad thing is when the management comes through advertising and sales ranks but has zero idea about a newsroom dynamic and doesn't care about it.

 

My point exactly. And I'm seeing more and more of that.