L.A. Times Lays Off 60 Journalists
Why do you suppose the L.A. Times has had to lay off 60 journalists? I can speculate about a few reasons for the lay-offs:
1. Unrelenting bias "turns off" people who used to have a daily subscription (including yours truly);
2. Print is dead, long live the internet;
3. Success in driving so many American citizens out of L.A., and replacing them with Spanish-only people, that if you're not writing for Hoy, you're not writing;
4. Widespread apathy means fewer people are reading anything; and
5. All the good stuff's on Mayor Sam, so who needs the Times?
So what do you think? Why the lay-offs, and does this paper have a future? Can the Daily News move in for some market share? What should the discarded journalists do?
Please write your answers on the "memo" line of your contribution checks to the Committee to Elect Walter Moore, or just post them here.
Posted by Walter Moore @ 6/02/2007 08:54:00 AM
27 Comments:
As a supposed candidate for mayor, you really know how to cozy up to the city's largest newspaper!
The truth is, Moore, you'd kill for an 800-word profile in the LA Times, but know that will never happen, so you can be sarcastic.
Like nearly every newspaper in the United States, the LA Times does have financial problems. But even with these cutbacks, the LA Times still has the second largest staff of journalists in the nation after the NY Times.
The Daily News has a tiny fraction of the staff and it's circulation is dropping like a rock.
And you're comment about Times subscribers fleeing to Mayor Sam to read the ranting lunacy of people like Zuma Dogg, is too stupid to rate a comment.
I read the Times, online. I come to Mayor Sam to see whats really happening ; unbiased...or at least more than one approach to a subject.
Good points Walter. I cancelled my subscription to the Times a few years ago due to their overwhelming pro-illegal alien bias. And I would add that while print isn't dead, it's certainly wounded. But long live the new media: who needs Times editors, Katie Couric, and other blow-dried biased morons filtering and deciding what we should hear and read.
Long live the Internet, talk radio, blogs and whatever else is coming down the pike!
Man, some people do NOT have a sense of humor!
I still get the Times but sometimes I wonder why. By the time I get the paper in the morning I've already read the major news online the night before. I do use it to clean windows (works great) and line pet cages. The rest I recycle. Why pay for the paper Times when you can read it online for free and live. Their own website and Google news is the reason print papers are having issues. I think print media may soon go the way of hard audio and media. Everything will be digital, better for the environment too. I haven't bought a physical CD or DVD in a while when I can download them online from iTunes.
Anonymous said ....................
And you're comment about Times subscribers fleeing to Mayor Sam to read the ranting lunacy of people like Zuma Dogg, is too stupid to rate a comment.
******************************
I see you are hear on Zumma Dog's blog reading and commenting. Dis you but the print copy of the L.A. times and get your hands full of ink and then leave your dirty hand prints on the wall.
The only thing I miss about a "hard" copy of the Los Angeles Times is being able to read the newspaper in the bathroom.
I quit buying the newspaper about four years ago when I discovered I can read many newspapers for free. And I don't get yelled at for leaving my dirty hand-prints on the wall.
Walter Moore said...
Man, some people do NOT have a sense of humor!
Yeah, you're a regular Dennis Miller. Keep your day job, whatever that is.
I see you are hear on Zumma Dog's blog reading and commenting. Dis you but the print copy of the L.A. times and get your hands full of ink and then leave your dirty hand prints on the wall.
First, it's "here," not "hear," you idiot. Second, you guys who think Zuma Dogg is the second coming of Woodward and Bernstein obviously didn't get any further than second grade. But since critical comments aren't welcome, I promise to ignore Mayor Sam. Enjoy your useless circle jerk.
INNOVATE OR DIE:
Y'all know before the ski cap, glasses and wigger talk, I studied under the tutelidge of Dr. W. Edwards Deming.
He's the international "quality and productivity" consultant who taught the Japanese how to put "quality" into the manufacturing process. Look how they became known for THE international standard of quality and efficency with companies like Honda, Toyota, Sony and all the products with better reputations than their U.S. counteparts.
(And I know most of you know who he is because all the universities and business consultants teach his principals.)
Part of quality, is INNOVATION:
Once the vacumme tube was king. Then came the transistor.
Eight tracks ruled the world. Till CD, which ruled until iPod. And internet downloads have meant the end of Tower and other record stores.
11:13am...that's basically a good new paragraph for any new "Deming-based" article update. You said it well!
So you cannot begrude the print medium for losing out to the net.
The point is not to ride the old medium into the ground. Sony music did not say, "We are in the vinyl record business." They said, "We are in the 'recorded music' business." And they started to print vinyl records AND CDs, during the transition. And now, only CD.
So Deming says, "Know what business you are in, then committ to continous innovation of product and service."
So OF COURSE a newspaper is becoming the CD of the iPod world.
The Times, Rolling Stone, Wall Street Journal all have one thing in common. NAME BRAND RECOGNITION. And that's about it.
But that's a lot. Cause at the end of the day, we still have not seen a music superstar emerge off the iTunes store/internet downloads or YouTube (AS MUCH AS ZD WISHES OTHERWISE!) People still need that "distribution" and "promotional" pipeline to the public. And at the end of the day, they like that "seal of approval" (filtering) that name brand companies bring.
If ZD picks a group, who cares...if MTV picks it, people care. People like Siskle and Ebert thumbs up. They like to know Paramount thought it was a great movie idea and they backed it.
The marketplace is too overcrowded, and people look to American Idol competitons and record company releases to help narrow down the decison making process, the same way some people wait till the playoffs to start watching basketball; or until only two candidates to start following the elections, or until MTV plays the video.
So the Times has that going for them, but yeah...they are going to have to figure out a way to make money off the net. I doubt the web ads can pay for the print production side - and the editiorial staff.
So I think what you will see is, more cuts -- that should be coming from the production side, first.
Then the paper circulation will cut way back, it will be sold for it's online asset...it will be cut back to an all online publication (they way BMG/Warner Music went to all CD, and will soon be all internet.)
The vaccume tube industry couldn't rally to build a better vacuume tube to prevent the transistor from taking over.
And newspapers can't keep the internet from taking over.
So although the editorial of the Times is now, at this point funnier than The Onion, but even if it were the best, most Zuma Dogg-freindly content ever, you can't stop the net.
The Times (who I am using as an example for ALL print mediums) needs to:
a) if all this stuff is already available on the net by the time it comes out, you are going to have to use those pages to provide what the internet cannot: [And I'm sure as hell not gonna tell you for free here. HOWEVER, the point is, if you want to extend the life of your product, I DO feel you can make it worthwhile to pick up a newspaper. You just can't keep printing the same column-based articles people can see everywhere else. One GREAT example of what the Times is doing to innovate...They are going BIG with the Spanish paper they are operating. Dr. Deming gives that concept a "Heeeeeeel Yeaaaaaaaah!" (But he would never probably say "hell yeah".)
Let's face it: If anyone needs a newspaper, it's someone who doesn't have access to the internet. And I know everyone is gonna use this as an opportunity to jump on me -- but yeah, some of the low-income areas, with lots of people who only speak spanish, don't have as much access to the internet, as people higher up the income ladder do. (My CD 14 homies will back me up that it's not as easy to find a wi-fi internet cafe as it is in other higher-income areas.)
They should call it, Tiempo Los Angeles (It's already a mostly spanish title anyway.) And make it look EXACTLY like the LA Times.
That's how they make use of their "name brand".
On the English side, you can extend the life of the print medium -- but you have to do something different (innovative) and that doesn't mean deciding whether to do "more or less reporting on Iraq." Or "pro, or anti-the current mayor."
b) Regarding the website side of things: Remember, you are in the information delivery business. The website can and should be an extention/innovation of the print newspaper, but remember you are not in the text delivery business. (Reporting a historical local or world issue in a text format/typing up a news story.)
You are in the information delivery business. And with unlimited bandwith and space (no limitations) -- and the added technology the internet allows you to integrate. It's a joke that these brand name newspaper sites are still trying to limit themselves to what they are already doing in print, because they are not really trying to innovate and lead the way in internet delivery of information...they are just trying to cover their asses on the net, just enough, hoping not to hurt the newspaper side, too much.
And that doesn't work. The record industry just got done learning this lesson. They fought the internet and sales on the net. So they tried and stop it, and ban it, and enforce it.
Meanwhile, you can't fight fate (innovation/progress) - and the internet stole the retail from the brick and mortor stores selling hard copies (CDs). It all moved to the net anyway, with iPod -- and now all the record companies just used up all their time and energy trying to play catch up.
SUMMARY: Can't criticize the print medium for the transition to the net. However, now you must innovate the print side, with some niche, alternative content itself -- and the internet side needs to become MUCH more innovative and lead the way, not play catch-up.
They can't just sit there and print internet versions of the print stories.
Zuma Dogg
ZAP
They don't call it the LA Slimes for nothing. Wayyyy to bias and in the pockets of some of our politicians who like to spin in their favor. Tons of people stopped getting it cause they don't report all the facts. All the puff pieces they did on Antonio mayoral campaign was a joke. Now people know the truth. Why weren't the "real" facts ever reported on his lies especially those 80 neighborhood watches that dont' exist. Sam Quinoes seems ok for now. AT least he's reporting on the corruption with all the gang money like the people who are running them getting arrested. Daily News much better and balanced reporting. People are beginning to read it much more now.
It's great to see LA ANTONIA TIMES also known as the OLD GRAY HAG ON SPRING STREET will not have any jobs for the WESTSIDE WHITE GUY.
If the LA Times shut down its 30 or so international offices, stopped trying to compete with the New York Times and Washington Post, and became a newspaper which reported to its customers what they want to know about what is going on in LA it might have a chance to survive. The Times should be a regional paper reporting news of importance in the state and the Southern California region.
If it continues to try to be a national or international news reporting rag, it will die.
It is NO WONDER that the Times had trouble finding a buyer. Who in the world is going to pay hundreds of millions for a paper that simply will NOT PRINT THE TRUTH on local issues.
Time and time again, the Times fucks up coverage, despite all pragmatism and fairness. Guess what, fuckers? These layoffs are your payoff for ignoring real stories and being lapdogs for Mayor Mentiroso.
If you were honest reporters, Times, more people would actually subscribe. But we already know your opinions BEFORE they're even published, so why should we bother?
Welcome to the world of the unemployed, where regaining your job as a reporter is not so easy. Try selling insurance.
The LA Times to me is not well balanced in reporting the news. They have sided against the community in many cases, favoring political candidates and issues to gain favor instead of reporting what was right and truthful. For instance in CD 14 all the residents knew that Antonio was running for Mayor at his first chance, and was lying when he said he wanted only to be a councilmember representing the residents. Did they report that? No. They allowed the truths about Antonio and all his connections to the corruption to go by the way side. They didn't stand up for right against wrong when reporting on the governor's race either in regards to Gray and Arnold and thus started the downfall of readership. It's time the Media started to stand up for the laws of our country and our citizens. Those are the stories we want to read about. And when the LA Times reporters do that we want to read their paper. I don't want to bore you with all the examples good or bad because we all have them. But they should realize just like Bush and anyone else who spouts stupidities we want to and want everyone to follow the rules. We want them to follow with integrity and have values. We are just tired of reading stories which try to persuade us that our thoughts are wrong, that our eyes lie and we didn't hear what we did...Maybe then will they revive the readership to their paper....
the best reporter in down does'nt work for the lost times. mr ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, works for the la weekly.
i'm glad the lost-times is cleaning house, and may-be they will write what everybody know????????????
Actually, I have been paid to do stand up comedy. True story. Therefore, I'm funny and you're not.
LA Slimes got into trouble when they started being so unfair against LAPD. Their stories were so over the top inaccurate that people wrote letters and called and guess what? They hardly ever print those letters or you would think start being real reporters not tabloid. They are more for sensationalism just like our local news. People are a lot smarter and are hitting the internet, cable news and if you want to know what's going on in LA go to New York Post sometimes which aren't afraid to report the truth. LA Slimes didn't even go after clowncil for Prop R bullshit. Rarely does local stories and is all about bullshit. What goes around comes around.
Good afternoon Walter,
What are you trying to do ? "WWG" of our beloved "OBSERVING WEST L.A. LIFE AND HIS TIMES" now has competition for the local Bloggersphere's observer of the "OLD GREY HAG ON SPRING STREET".
When it comes to the "LA ANTONIA TIMES". Yes, it is a bias fish wrap that has become part of the elites, instead of a watch dog of them.
Lets remember what stories they have not cover. Miguel's death at the whorehouse. Broken Bridges is another.
For the sake of full disclosure, I do buy the "LA ANTONIA TIMES" on a daily basis. I loves T.J. Simers in the Sports. "KIM IL RUTTEN" the "DEAR LEADER" of objective media is a bias laugh. I also will buy the "MOLDY GREEN SHEET", and the "REGISTER OF ORANGE" for some good Op-eds.
For me it is the ritual of starting your day with the morning liquid of choice and the feel of newsprint. Then the exercise of washing the newsprint from your fingers.
but nothing is better than lining the litter box with the daily "LA ANTONIA TIMES" editorial of bias elitism.
As tech. changes our daily lifes, the ritual of "HOLDING AND READING" will forever be changed.
Boy, I miss the HERALD EXAMINER !!!
Anyone know of a good typewriter shop where I can get a clean and oil
What I see with the Times reporting, and this has been for several years at least, is either it's failure to cover local events, or, to color the stories that arise whenever it has a social or political angle to it.
One too-common example: The LAPD always seems to have more things slanted against it, while suspects and perpetrators tend to be handled with a gentler hand. The "victim" noun has found it's way into stories where the label should have been "suspect." Let a shooting happen and the Times will easily find the verbs to bring out their views.
Another continuing trend is more readily apparent. The words "illegal" and "aliens" are rarely found next to each other in the L.A. Times' stories. You often find "illegal immigration" simply referred to as "immigration" which blatantly distorts the truth of the matters.
The Times fails to do any real probing into state and local politics. Examining relationships among elected and appointed officials and their current dealings and past history with each other might open some eyes, but that's not likely to appear on the pages of the L.A. Times. That would really be something to see.
The journalists losing their jobs may not have wanted to handle things that way, but only saw the handwriting on the wall and shaped their product to promote career longevity. I'm sure there were some that would have liked to have done work like a real reporter, but the realities of life were too strong.
In the end it winds up not mattering, as the paper is in a financial crunch, with some part of that result being the "safe" and "politically correct" approach to news reporting that was taken overall by that newspaper.
from cd-14 (which cd could have used some investigative reporting ever since AV was "our" part-time c.m.)
I just equipped my residence with CFL lights- they cost $6 for pack of 4. they 23 watts each but give light equivalent to 100 watts of the old 19th century ones.
Note: they take a half second to fire on, and are a little dull at first, but within a minute or two they're firing way better and nicer than the tungsten ones.
so I'm cutting 75% off my lighting bill, and ditto to the environment.
Mayor Sam, you must try them out. they really have superceded my expectations, if that's possible.
I can forget to turn out a light for three hours, and it still hasn't cost me more than if I had just switched off the old style one in the beginning.
The corkscrew CFL are great I am using 14 watt giving me 60 watts of light but even a cheaper to burn and better light bulb about 1.50 watts are LED Light bulbs http://www.ccrane.com/lights/led-light-bulbs/index.aspx
i was sad to see Al Martinez signing off this saturday forever in Calendar; i'd also enjoyed him,admit not able to read him every day, but he humanized the paper. guess they paid him "too much," are relying more on generic A. P. stories... from the time the Tribune bought the paper, it became a lot more/looked like U S A today than NYT -- I guess that shows what they think we rubes in the wild west deserve... Disaster started with letting go the xlnt (African - American) editor, on down -- then thats fiasco os almost letting Glazer edit the OpEd, a financial stunt. That's what this is all about. Wonder how Zell is impacting things: if Martinez and the other 59 layoffs are indication then the paper is headed for ruin.
Dear Mayor Sam's Sister City,
I started reading Mayor Sam's also two years ago. I'm sorry to say I think the constant Zuma Dog postings have taken away from the pleasure and surprise. The Daily newspaper will always have an important place in how we learn about our world. However, the LA Times has become something close to resembling a mouthpiece for others: it's shamefully timed article re the governor just days before the election; it's pandering to the current Mayor hoping he will become a nationally prominent Latino democrat; it's some touch approach to the Chief of Police because he's a democrat and will be going onto the national stage someday; and it's complete abandonment of investigative jouralism...that is why the LA Times is losing its readers, its place as reliable source of information and, most importantly, a journalistic enterprise that sparks rigorous thought, honest debate and profound discourse in the minds of its readers and their families.
It's not too late to get back in the game...it's very easy to report the facts...and, most importantly, it's time to challenge your readers with thought provoking ideas.
2:11 & 2:17 are correct.
LAT bias has existed since Otis Chandler (R.I.P.) took over.
This drove away the conservative & suburban readers. At the same time, LAT tried to become a nationally-known paper, focusing more on national politics and international affairs than on local politics.
This focus kept the Daily News, Daily Breeze and others alive and thriving in their markets, against imperialist expansion by the Times.
The Union Trib crushed LAT in San Diego. Same for the OC Register (after a longer battle). LAT won't even think of going to Frisco anymore. Even the Herald-Examiner lasted until 1989, despite Hearst Corp's lack of investment in it.
Until the web, LAT could keep this up, because it was the dominant LA paper, and it had huge classified ads to pay the bills.
But now, the classifieds are going away fast:
**Ebay now handles sales of knicknacks that used to be sold at garage sales (with ads in LAT)
**Autotrader.com/autobytel.com/cars.com/etc. now handle more used & new car sales ads (taking away ads in LAT)
**Craigslist running ads for . . . let's call them "personal" services (which also used to be in LAT classified)
Now, with 3 cable news channels, and MayorSam, who needs to read LAT all the time for updated news?
Look at the response this posting has generated: an overwhelming response trashing LAT or predicting its continued fall. The only comments contrary to that are unwarranted personal attacks on Walter and ZD.
Sorry, journalists, now you know how the Tower Records employees felt.
Nothing ever shrinks to greatness.
LA Times is biased. Plain and simple. It's editors have admitted as much.
Why would I want to read such a paper. I cancelled my subscription a couple years ago. Then my parents did. Then several neighbors.
LA Time knows why its subscriptions continue to fall. Yet its editors continue to want so hard to push a socialist agenda that they will not stop exhibiting this bias. So they will fall. Much like Air America is not commercially viable, neither will the LA Times continue to be commercially viable.
The guy who said that LA times should become a regional paper has it correct. And that will be what fills in the void, whether it be online or in print. Already by focusing on local issues the OC register and the Daily News have made inroads. And I'll note that local blogs continue to receive and increasing number of daily hits.
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