Washington Times

[deskslave]

I'm in the very early stages of possibly being considered/considering a job for the Washington Times. I knew it was a conservative paper, but I didn't realize until today its connections to the Moonies. Yeah, I know...I suck.

Question, then, is whether working here would negatively affect me the rest of my career, as one friend advised, or whether the paper is large enough now and far enough removed from those days that it doesn't much matter.

I'm not crazy about the paper's conservative bent, but I've worked for conservative papers before, and I have this fleeting hope that perhaps a larger one wouldn't let the conservatism filter through to the editorial content.

OK, at least not much.

Anyway...thoughts?

 

[Double Down]

It is my understanding that, while the news side makes no attempts to dispell the belief that it is a mouthpiece for the right-wing, the sports side is pretty much left alone. Plenty of good people have worked, and continue to work, in the Wash Times sports department.

 

[Moderator1]

Good paper, good people, good place. Go for it, moondog!

 

[deskslave]

It is my understanding that, while the news side makes no attempts to dispell the belief that it is a mouthpiece for the right-wing, the sports side is pretty much left alone. Plenty of good people have worked, and continue to work, in the Wash Times sports department.

Hmm...might shoulda mentioned that the job would be on the news side...

 

[Lyman_Bostock]

I don't think you've got a problem here. Certainly, this paper has more credibility these days than the New York Times does. (Only partially kidding about that.)

 

[tyler durden 71351]

I don't think the politics are so much of an issue...I would be more worried about the long term viability of the paper. It's a huge money loser. I just wonder how long the church will continue absorbing all that red ink. On the other hand, you get in to an amazing news town and you're working for a paper that's connected. If you kick ass for a few years, you'll have some nice clips if the ship sinks.

 

[Editude]

I had a former colleague work here, and he has gone on to some big shops. Do good work and you'll be able to use if for what it's worth to both sides.

 

[Trucha]

I don't think you've got a problem here. Certainly, this paper has more credibility these days than the New York Times does. (Only partially kidding about that.)

Neo-cons don't like the NYT so it doesn't have credibility??? Gimme a break.

 

[pallister]

Ya, it's not as if the NYT has had problems with writers fabricating stories or anything.

 

[Double Espresso]

You'd think neo-cons would adore any newspaper that fabricated stories.

 

[welcometotherock]

Sunday circ is 39K, terrible website, doesn't pay well (considering the DC area cost of living)

big-city paper in name only

good luck...

 

[journalist4life]

I take it you work at a daily right now or have been in the business for a few years? I applied there and was again told I have no where near the experience they needed and I have been at my weekly for over a year.

If you don't want the job than I will take it! A daily newspaper in a major city with a circ over 250,000 and you have to think for more than a minute about taking the job? Come on now.

 

[welcometotherock]

If you don't want the job than I will take it! A daily newspaper in a major city with a circ over 250,000.

250,000? Huh?

 

[journalist4life]

Sorry I was thinking Examiner....They are at 102,000 and the pay is 35-40k which is damn if you ask me.

 

[Blitz]

I worked with sports editor Mark Hartsell years ago.
He's good people.
Likes Bob Dylan. Knows how to write and edit copy.
85-90 percent of the folks on here would take that job that you are looking at.
Be it in news dept. or sports.
Go for it. Build some clips.
Then later, do what's best for your career.

 

[tyler durden 71351]

Ya, it's not as if the NYT has had problems with writers fabricating stories or anything.

Look, Jayson Blair and Judy Miller were aberrations. If I ever meet either one of them, I'm pissing on their shoes. You look at what the NYT does day in and day out, the quality of the reporting and writing, the awards they win every year. That's what you judge a paper by, not by two ****ed up individuals who worked the system.