'Is there life after newspapers?'

The question was asked in an article in the American Journalism Review. A graphic designer at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, using a variety of sources, counted 15,000-plus job cuts from newspapers in 2008. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics showed payroll at newspapers decreased by 22,400 from January to October 2008. Scary stuff.

An unscientific poll conducted by the piece's author found:

• Just under 36 percent said they found a new job in less than three months. Add those who say they freelance full time, and the total jumps to 53 percent.
• Less than 10 percent say it took them longer than a year.
• Only a handful – 6 percent – found other newspaper jobs. The rest are doing everything from public relations to teaching to driving a bus and clerking in a liquor store.

The article also includes some personal anecdotes from former journalists after they left newspapers, including some who saw losing their jobs as opportunities.

The power of the slideshow?

It depends on what kind of story you're trying to tell.
Poynter's Al Tompkins interviews the Boston Globe's online editor David Beard about how a slide show set to audio can have more impact than other forms of multimedia.
Something useful to read as we continue to explore sound slides.

Publisher tries new approach to newspapers

Interesting article about an attempt to merge newspaper and internet sensibilities.


PUBLISHER RETHINKS THE DAILY: IT'S FREE AND PRINTED AND HAS BLOGS ALL OVER IT.

More on that crash photo

Here are more details about that plane crash photo taken with an iPhone. Thanks Cameron, for sharing the image.

Good Audio Slideshow from NYT

Fashion and the Inauguration
Designer fashion took a back seat at the inauguration. Dressing was all about surviving the cold and reflected the multicultural taste of a democracy.

Thanks for the invite!

I've signed on as a blog author and will share insights here.

LA Times Front Page: User Generated

The Los Angeles Times ran a photo taken by a passenger on board the first ferry to arrive at the site of the US Airways crash in New York City.