Answer to a Meme:Fixing the Times?

David Markland at Metroblogging Los Angeles calls us out and asks for an answer to the following question:

If you were suddenly appointed an all powering helm of the L.A. Times, how would you manage it? Who would you hire to manage the different sections? Any other fundamental changes?

Newspapers are going the way of the buggy whip. They better adapt quick. Still, its going to be some time before people give up newsprint entirely.

The website should be overloaded with regularly updated content. When I want to know something, the Times website should always satisfy it. And why not design the home page to look like the front page of a newspaper. You can click on any story to be taken to a full page view of the article. This would be easier and more intuitive to navigate than a bunch of links all over the page. Reading the paper online should be a virtual version of the real thing.

With regard to the fishwrap, the Times needs to buck pretense & tradition and print in a tabloid format. Why? Where is the one place you want news but usually don't have internet access? The toilet. A tabloid style would be easier to hold while you're sitting on the pot. Or, at least defer to your male readers and produce a joint sports and business tabloid.

With regard to content, cut down on the entertainment and shi shi lifestyle features (not everyone in LA drives a BMW and lives at Starbucks) and beef up the local political reporting and commentary.

Finally, hire every local blogger in town (even WWG) as contributing editors.