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Journalist's Trade

"Reinvent or die. It's that simple," is advice offered to newspapers by Tim Porter, an editor and writer with newspapers and now a news media consultant. "And the death will be slow and painful, a continuing slide into mediocrity and irrelevance, as tighter budgets reduce staff and the public opts for newer, more compelling sources of information." Porter argues that "local journalism," done in new ways that he describes, will be the difference in whether daily newspapers survive.

Journalist's Trade
Newspapers' Survival
Introduction
By Melissa Ludtke, Editor
If Newspapers Are to Rise Again
‘Reinvent or die. It's that simple.’
By Tim Porter
Can the Newspaper Industry Stare Disruption in the Face?
‘Lessons learned from past failures can help to ensure future triumphs.’
By Scott D. Anthony and Clark G. Gilbert
When Journalists’ Voices Are Missing
A former newspaper editor examines the impact of the lack of journalists serving on media company boards.
By James Naughton
An Open Letter From Knight Ridder Alumni
By 92 journalists who have worked for Knight Ridder newspapers
A Shrinking Staff Propels a Newspaper's Transformation
‘If we’re forced to be a smaller place, then let’s aggressively teach ourselves the virtues that go along with that sensibility.’
By Amanda Bennett
A Newspaper's Redesign Signals Its Renewal
‘… newspapers have enormous strengths to rely on — and that is where we need to concentrate.’
By Anders Gyllenhaal and Monica Moses
Lessons From a Newsroom's Digital Frontline
In Roanoke, Virginia, a midsized newspaper has had ‘the freedom to run some experiments, fail, try again, and along the way discover some meaningful success.’
By Michael Riley
Wrong Turns Make a Difficult Situation Worse (1 comment)
A journalist lists Top 10 bad decisions editors make when facing cuts in staff.
By Carol Bradley
Community News Drives a Newspaper's Vigorous Growth
‘We joke about how almost every day maintenance people seem to be assembling another desk.’
By Joe Zelnik
Will the Meaning of Journalism Survive?
‘Journalism educators are in a state of disquiet, if not distress, at their students’ lack of the broad background essential for independent journalism.’
By Melvin Mencher
Teaching Journalism for an Unknown Future
Journalism professors work to align essential skills with emerging technology.
By Peg Finucane
Damaging Ripple Effects of Newsroom Cutbacks
‘In previous downturns, rookie reporters reinvigorated the newsroom; now, there might not be any quality, young journalists to take over.’
By Joel Kaplan
Preserving What It Is Newsrooms Do
A teacher challenges his students ‘to devise a proposal for the protection of newsroom independence and integrity’ in a changing media environment.
By Stanley Flink
The Job of Frontline Editor
Introduction
By Melissa Ludtke, Editor
New Metaphors Needed for Changing Roles
‘It is time for some new language to describe the role and value of the assigning editor. Even the job title is dated and limiting.’
By Jacqui Banaszynski
Moments Illustrate the Lives of Frontline Editors (1 comment)
By Mae Cheng
Editor and Reporter: A Writing Journey Together
‘Then Joanna found her vision. It was crisp and clear. She made me see it, too.’
By Stuart Warner
Listening to Editors' Difficulties Helps Find Solutions
‘Frontline editors usually come from reporting ranks, and it is not unusual for problems to emerge in the transition.’
By John F. Greenman
Training Frontline Editors: Once Overlooked, Now Happening
‘Despite their importance and the tough transition when they switch from reporter or copyeditor, frontline editors often are sent to the end of the line for training.’
By Michele McLellan
Aiming to Put the Right People in Charge
New online tools will help prospective assigning editors see whether they have what it takes to succeed.
By Marty Claus
Exploring What Makes Training Successful
Whether editors’ training takes place in a single newsroom or as a regional gathering, its essential elements remain consistent.
By Lillian Swanson
The Dearth of Resources for Entering Editors
There are available ‘… few books, a large but scattered field of articles, and the handouts and tip sheets collected at relatively few Web sites.’
By Carl Sessions Stepp
Resources for Midlevel Editors
By Carl Sessions Stepp