Offshoring the copy desk?

[dixiehack]

Here's a cheerful little read, in case you were thinking of having a good day.

http://poynter.org/column.asp?id=83&aid=112040

 

[DyePack]

A response has been posted for days at http://www.wenalway.com.

More analysis of the issue to come.

 

[Ace]

Unfortunately, this is one area where the technology really could save money.

Of course, there is no question that a stateside hub or overseas editing center could not do as well as local copy editors who know the writers and the area and the history.

But it could be done.

 

[DyePack]

As Peepee Zicari says in a response, though, the paper might as well simply eliminate the task altogether if it's going to offshore. Why have people read stories if they won't know what's right and what's not?

This is a fundamental point that should be made in any article posted at any site that purports to be educating and assisting journalists.

It's yet another example why Poynter is the problem, rather than the solution, with help from sycophants like Joe Grimm, whose every orifice is packed with sand, his fingers or his own head.

 

[slappy4428]

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/posts/889114/

 

[Ace]

As Peepee Zicari says in a response, though, the paper might as well simply eliminate the task altogether if it's going to offshore. Why have people read stories if they won't know what's right and what's not?

This is a fundamental point that should be made in any article posted at any site that purports to be educating and assisting journalists.

It's yet another example why Poynter is the problem, rather than the solution, with help from sycophants like Joe Grimm, whose every orifice is packed with sand, his fingers or his own head.

You have a good point, Dye.

No question it could be done.

No question that the editing won't be nearly as good. They basically would be editing for style and grammar.

 

[JayFarrar]

I'm with Dyepack on this one.
My proofreader lives in another state, and is all the time making fixes to things that are already right. She just didn't know the local lingo.
I can't even imagine what it would be like if the copy desk lived in India.

 

[SCEditor]

I think the bigger question is this: Can we send Dyepack to India?

 

[oldhack]

Will sports copy editors start eating nan?

 

[slappy4428]

I think the bigger question is this: Can we send Dyepack to India?

Why do you hate India so much?

 

[Ace]

I think the bigger question is this: Can we send Dyepack to India?

Why do you hate India so much?

Touche'

 

[WSKY]

Read Thomas Friedman's The World is Flat.

 

[Gold]

I have read Friedman's book.

While it may be technically possible, whether people from India and Ireland can communicate effectively to the US is another matter.

My brother is involved with computers in a major company and they tried to send a lot of work to India. They can hire a lot of programmers, but a lot of stuff had to be corrected. Some things can be done offshore, but a lot really can't because you have to understand what people need. It's hard enough to communicate when two English-speaking Americans are together, and that isn't easier.

My brother gave an example of someone in China who used confusing English when he sent a request for information. When he was able to talk to her, he could work it out but the written English wasn't so easy.