AAN News
AAN Begins Search for New Executive Director
As we announced on Monday, AAN's longtime executive director, Richard Karpel, is stepping down to take the same position at the American Society of News Editors. AAN has placed ads to find his successor on four websites and has received more than 20 applications thus far. The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors will do an initial screening of the candidates later this month; after this is complete, President Mark Zusman will appoint a separate committee that will likely meet and interview the finalists and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors.
(FULL STORY)
AAN |
10-30-2009 9:24 am |
Association News
The Other Paper Honored by Crime Stopper Organizationnew
Central Ohio Crime Stoppers recently named the Columbus alt-weekly its "Media of the Year," largely due to a partnership the paper has formed with the group. The Other Paper now runs Crime Stoppers' "Most Wanted" list, and the two have teamed up on a monthly murder-mystery story series, "To Catch a Killer."
The Other Paper |
10-30-2009 8:43 am |
Honors & Achievements
Chicago Reader's New Publisher Hopes to 'Be Pretty Involved' Editoriallynew
"The best newspapers maintain a wall between publishers and editors, and nothing crosses it but the budget. The Reader is no exception," Michael Miner writes. But he notes that's about to change with the hiring of James Warren -- an editorial veteran -- as the paper's new publisher. Warren, who says he hopes to "be pretty involved" on the editorial side, adds that he thinks his appointment "is an implicit affirmation of the link between quality journalism and a successful business," and Creative Loafing Inc. bosses are saying the move shows the Reader's commitment to editorial excellence. But as the paper's editor points out, it is important the business and editorial sides stay in their own corners. "It's good to hear the board and Warren acknowledging how important journalism is to the success of the company," Alison True says. "Because we're looking forward to getting the resources to support it. But if that wall disappears, so does our credibility."
Chicago Reader |
10-28-2009 2:15 pm |
Industry News
Phoenix New Times Seeks Meth Criticnew
After Westword started taking applications for a position reviewing the Denver area's medical marijuana dispensaries, Phoenix New Times decided it would "do the same regarding the Valley's drug of choice" -- meth. "The column will focus on a few things: Quality of the drug, of course, but also the safety of users," James King writes. "We want to know where to find quality meth that won't kill you right away."
Phoenix New Times |
10-28-2009 9:10 am |
Industry News
Next 'How I Got That Story' Live Chat: Friday Afternoon
Washington City Paper editor Erik Wemple will discuss his award-winning media reporting with Tucson Weekly editor Jimmy Boegle on AAN.org this Friday, Oct. 30. Wemple took home first place for "One Mission, Two Newsrooms," his examination of the divide between the digital and print staffs at the Washington Post. Friday's chat will begin at 3 pm EDT.
(FULL STORY)
AAN |
10-27-2009 12:37 pm |
Association News
AAN's Executive Director Stepping Down
Richard Karpel, who joined the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies as its executive director in July 1995, is leaving AAN for the same position at the American Society of News Editors. His last day will be Nov. 25, although he has agreed to help the association in an unofficial capacity after that date to assist in the transition to a new staff chief executive. "I have been at AAN for the better part of my adult life, and it has been an incredible ride," he says. "I want to thank all of the AAN members past and present who have made my time here such a rich and rewarding experience." MORE: Here's ASNE's announcement.
(FULL STORY)
AAN |
10-26-2009 1:14 pm |
Association News
How I Got That Story Live Chat: Patrick Michels Talks About His Award-Winning Feature Story
Patrick Michels, who won first place in the 50,000 and under circulation category for his Texas Observer feature "Private Trauma," discussed the story with his editor on the piece, Jake Bernstein, in a chat moderated by North Coast Journal editor Hank Sims.
(FULL STORY)
AAN |
10-23-2009 2:48 pm |
Association News
Tags: Editorial, Management
Monterey County Weekly Redesigns Website, Launches Mobile App
The Weekly has completely redesigned its website and launched a corresponding mobile application. Among the cool new features on the site are a local business guide, a local song of the day on the site jukebox and feeds from local blogs and local, state and national news sources. "[The site] will be a boon to our community, expanding our content and how our readers can obtain and interface with it," Weekly CEO Bradley Zeve says. "It offers more in every way -- more accessibility and more content." The site and the mobile app were both designed in-house by longtime Weekly staffer Kevin Smith, who says he's happy to roll out the project to the public. "Plus," he adds, "maybe now I can have time to read my kids a good-night story."
(FULL STORY)
Monterey County Weekly Press Release |
10-23-2009 10:50 am |
Press Releases
Judge Tosses Defamation Suit Against Facebooknew
A New York judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit against the social networking giant, ruling that the site isn't responsible for false posts by users. In her ruling, Judge Debra James said that "Facebook is entitled to the liability shield conferred by the Communications Decency Act," which protects websites from defamation suits based on user-generated content.
Online Media Daily |
10-23-2009 9:23 am |
Legal News
Juliana Hatfield Appoints New Boston Phoenix Music Editornew
The Phoenix was surprised to learn -- via a press release -- that the liner notes to Juliana Hatfield's new album Peace and Love were written by "Boston Phoenix music editor James Parker." Problem is, while Parker does contribute to the alt-weekly, he "spends most of his hours these days toiling for the Atlantic Monthly" and definitely is not the paper's music editor, Carly Carioli notes. "I was wondering why my chair felt a little tight," music editor Michael Brodeur says when asked about Parker's sudden promotion.
Boston Phoenix |
10-23-2009 9:13 am |
Industry News
AAN Partners with Poynter's NewsU for Discounted Editorial Webinar
As part of the Editorial Committee's long-range plans to make affordable online training available to its members, AAN is collaborating with Poynter's News University to provide members a discounted rate for an upcoming seminar on navigating online comments to foster community and civic dialogue. The webinar, which is scheduled for Nov. 5 at 2 pm Eastern Time, will be just $9.95 for the first 25 AAN registrants. (Get the discount code here.)
(FULL STORY)
AAN |
10-22-2009 2:07 pm |
Association News
Alt-Weekly Editor Asks Downie and Schudson: What About Us?new
This week's release of Leonard Downie Jr. and Michael Schudson's report "The Reconstruction of American Journalism" has the journalism world buzzing. "The report takes a particular interest in local accountability and enterprise reporting," Washington City Paper editor Erik Wemple notes, "which is the commodity most at stake as newspapers pare down their editorial staffs." After searching the report for any mention of the alt-weekly's role in journalism's future and finding none, Wemple says he understands. "After all, alt-weeklies ... only channel all of their editorial resources toward local reporting; only conduct long-form investigations of key local agencies and authorities all the time; only monitor city halls like no one's business; only do all kinds of arts reporting that no other outlets care to do; and have been at it only for about half a century now," he writes. "Why mention those news organizations?"
Washington City Paper |
10-22-2009 12:14 pm |
Industry News
Westword No Longer Accepting Pot Critic Applicationsnew
The Denver alt-weekly received a total of more than 200 applications for a gig reviewing the region's medical marijuana dispensaries. Editor Patricia Calhoun says the flood of interested critics, applying from all over the globe, was likely correlated to the worldwide media coverage Westword's unusual opening has received.
Westword |
10-22-2009 11:30 am |
Industry News
Google, Yahoo and Microsoft to Include Tweets in Web Searchesnew
Bloomberg |
10-22-2009 9:16 am |
Industry News
Washington City Paper Asks Readers: Would You Pay to Read Us?new
It's the big debate in mainstream journalism these days: Should publishers make readers pay to access the paper online? When the New York Times this week announced that more layoffs were on the way, many loyal readers posted comments signaling their interest in paying to read the website to avoid further cuts. Although the paywall debate has been pretty much absent from the alt-weekly world since the newspapers are free to begin with, the outpouring of support from Times readers led Washington City Paper's Jason Cherkis to wonder: "What Would You Pay To Read An Award-Winning Alt-Weekly?" As of this writing, of the five comments that actually address the question, two (and a half) say they'd pay to access City Paper online.
Washington City Paper |
10-21-2009 11:52 am |
Industry News
