Fate of Rocky Mountain News to be announced

[Andy _ Kent]

A bit of honesty from Krieger as posted on the CJR:

http://www.cjr.org/behind_the_news/rocky_mountain_bye.php?page=all

Dave Krieger, sports columnist

Honestly? The corporate suits come in and cry their crocodile tears, then whiz on home to continue collecting their seven-figure salaries, pleased to have rid their shareholders of the albatross that was a helluva newspaper. Scripps is in the best financial shape of any newspaper company in America, save the Washington Post Co. Dean Singleton, who survives in Denver, is in far worse financial shape, in much deeper debt, but he fought for the market and Scripps didn't. Scripps turns tail and runs because it is as committed to the public service of journalism as teenagers to this spring's fashions. It has learned it can make more money in niche cable television channels. It has every right to make that call. It's a free country. But the question is whether everybody left in the journalism business is simply in it to make a buck. Certainly, for a while there, it was a really good buck.

Gannett taught everyone how to make margins that were out of sight. But now that it's a struggle, is there anybody left with the heart of a journalist? Or are they all just profiteers, happy to move on to more profitable schemes when the going gets tough? Journalism has a constitutionally protected role in our Republic. We need people in charge of it who are more than profiteers. Yes, I know. Times are tough. The old model doesn't work. I get all that. Nevertheless. We need publishers with vision and conviction and courage and it's beginning to look like all we have are profiteers born on third base.

Mile High, can you share with us whether anything like this was said out in the open to Boehne yesterday?

 

[zeke12]

That's forking awesome work outta you, Dave.

 

[MileHigh]

A bit of honesty from Krieger as posted on the CJR:

http://www.cjr.org/behind_the_news/rocky_mountain_bye.php?page=all

Dave Krieger, sports columnist

Honestly? The corporate suits come in and cry their crocodile tears, then whiz on home to continue collecting their seven-figure salaries, pleased to have rid their shareholders of the albatross that was a helluva newspaper. Scripps is in the best financial shape of any newspaper company in America, save the Washington Post Co. Dean Singleton, who survives in Denver, is in far worse financial shape, in much deeper debt, but he fought for the market and Scripps didn't. Scripps turns tail and runs because it is as committed to the public service of journalism as teenagers to this spring's fashions. It has learned it can make more money in niche cable television channels. It has every right to make that call. It's a free country. But the question is whether everybody left in the journalism business is simply in it to make a buck. Certainly, for a while there, it was a really good buck.

Gannett taught everyone how to make margins that were out of sight. But now that it's a struggle, is there anybody left with the heart of a journalist? Or are they all just profiteers, happy to move on to more profitable schemes when the going gets tough? Journalism has a constitutionally protected role in our Republic. We need people in charge of it who are more than profiteers. Yes, I know. Times are tough. The old model doesn't work. I get all that. Nevertheless. We need publishers with vision and conviction and courage and it's beginning to look like all we have are profiteers born on third base.

Mile High, can you share with us whether anything like this was said out in the open to Boehne yesterday?

Yup, at the second meeting, Boehne and Contreras heard it from the assembled mob. They took it. But as Dave said, then they left. And we're here today with our boxes. They are nowhere to be seen.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I agree with everything, except, he's a little too nice to Singleton, but he works for the guy now...

Krieger is always a great read.

 

[Tracy Ringolsby]

Mizzou grad, Krieger is one of the most active union people in Denver. I really don't know about the others.

I believe you, but what I was told by a friend at the RMN was that all columnists were exempt. Maybe Krieger was an exception.

I can assure you Krieger is one of the more active people, including a former president of the guild. Dave has a value system that is based off his beliefs, not what others want him to do to fit in. He is a credit. He also has become a fanstatic columnists, who develops feelings and opinions off putting an effort into learning about a subject, and not because he can be cute or clever at the expense or others or because he has an agenda. His hire by the Post was a tremendous move.

 

[MileHigh]

Consider this a reply to the many PMs I've gotten with addresses for a final copy.

If you sent it to me, consider it done and they will be in the mail next week (I'm going to Utah tonight on a previously planned trip). Offer is still open. I have tons of copies.

 

[daveevansedge]

I always thought Dave was perhaps the most versatile guy on the Rocky staff. And I sent him an email last night telling him so. He's excellent, and his above statement is spot-freakin' on.

 

[Tracy Ringolsby]

I hope Tracy pulls out the corporate card, racks up a $1,000 tab at Fleming's and then buys two first-class tickets back to Denver so his hat can have its own seat.

Heck, the rodeo is in Tucson this weekend, and I am not big on white table clothes. The Silver Saddle, now that's a steak place.
Thanks Mizzou grad.
By the way on Litton -- if someone doesn't hire him that is a huge loss. Wonderful human being but even better cartoonist with a feel for the moment and the subject.
Ditto on Legwold. He ranks up with my man Goose in Dallas and Alex Marvez as the best I have ever seen handle that NFL beat.

 

[luckyducky]

I don't want to take anything away from the RMN, but I went to check on the P-I's site and the RMN story headline reads: "Rocky Mountain News publishes final edition, P-I may be next to go"
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/401728_rocky28.html

Now, that's a copy editor telling it like it is.

The AP story, with "information from P-I staff" also includes this graf:
The P-I could see its final edition come next month. Executives from The Hearst Corp., owners of the P-I, announced in early January that they were selling the paper. If a buyer had not emerged within 60 days, the paper could shut down. Since then, the staff of the P-I has been in the dark regarding when, if any, a final edition would be published.

And for those who haven't seen the P-I's version of blogging its own funeral, that can be found here: http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/thebigblog/category.asp?blogID=174&category=2225

 

[Mizzougrad96]

This thread isn't the right place, but the stories of the feuds between the writers/editors at both papers are legendary. Woody alluded to it in his column, but I'd be surprised if any market could match the bad blood, which from what I've heard was all pre JOA.

 

[Drip]

This thread isn't the right place, but the stories of the feuds between the writers/editors at both papers are legendary. Woody alluded to it in his column, but I'd be surprised if any market could match the bad blood, which from what I've heard was all pre JOA.

Mizzou, whenever you have competition, there are those who take it to the extreme. Denver was rough but heck Dallas, Philly, New York, Houston, Chicago, even Atlanta and South Florida were all pretty tough back in the day.

 

[As The Crow Flies]

Met Jeff Legwold at a Denver Broncos practice when I was out doing a feature for my paper three or four years ago. Despite the fact I was a nobody, he couldn't have been nicer. Ever since then I kept up on his work and was always impressed. It just sucks to see people who are really good at what they do lose their jobs through no fault of their own...