By Sylvia Gurinsky
The bloodletting continues at newspapers all over, with thousands of good people continuing to be laid off.
The immediate issues have included the failure of newspaper companies to anticipate the freedom and wide-range of the Internet, and the demand that the newspaper companies continue to make the same profits they always have.
That leads to what is perhaps the real problem in all of this: Media consolidation.
Once upon a time, decades ago, newspapers were mostly owned locally. Sure, the owners wanted to make money, but they also had a clear understanding of their communities and their readers. The same was true, early on, of radio and television stations.
Then, in the middle of the 20th century, consolidation started. At first, it was by people who understood the public interest - people like the Knights, or Katharine Graham.
But more recently, it's been by major media companies that had bought the local entities to improve their own profit margins. That consolidation has come back to bite both the big companies and the local newspapers. The big companies aren't getting the same financial returns. It's worse for the local newspapers, which aren't serving their communities the way they once did.
So, here's a suggestion. There has been a trend in newspapers recently to "go local." How about doing so with ownership as well?
The idea isn't a perfect one; so far, it hasn't worked in Philadelphia, where local owners continue to lay off people at newspapers once owned by Knight Ridder. But newspapers would at least have a fighting chance if they were owned by people who loved, understood and appreciated them and the communities they cover.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Aug. 13: How About Some Truth-Telling?
By Sylvia Gurinsky
I'd like to see a new family value promoted and practiced, not just by politicians, but also by Madison Avenue: Truth telling.
Lying has been much in the news the last few days - the lies of former Sen. John Edwards; the revelation that the girl who was at the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Beijing wasn't the one doing the singing; the revelation that some of the fireworks were fake.
And, there's that commercial that Visa has aired with the inspiring story of British runner Derek Redmond, who was injured during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona in a 400-meter semifinal; Redmond made it around the track with the help of his father. The story was inspiring, and the ad would be, too, if not for the knowledge that Visa whited out the writing on Redmond's father's T-shirt. The T-shirt, of course, was a Nike shirt with the inscription "Have You Hugged Your Foot Today," along with the company's famous slash.
Benjamin Franklin was quoted as saying that honesty is the best policy. Mark Twain put a twist on it: "Honesty is the best policy - when there is money in it."
But George Bernard Shaw's quote perfectly describes the last few days: "I am afraid we must make the world honest before we can honestly say to our children that honesty is the best policy."
Sadly, we're a long way from it, Mr. Shaw.
I'd like to see a new family value promoted and practiced, not just by politicians, but also by Madison Avenue: Truth telling.
Lying has been much in the news the last few days - the lies of former Sen. John Edwards; the revelation that the girl who was at the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Beijing wasn't the one doing the singing; the revelation that some of the fireworks were fake.
And, there's that commercial that Visa has aired with the inspiring story of British runner Derek Redmond, who was injured during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona in a 400-meter semifinal; Redmond made it around the track with the help of his father. The story was inspiring, and the ad would be, too, if not for the knowledge that Visa whited out the writing on Redmond's father's T-shirt. The T-shirt, of course, was a Nike shirt with the inscription "Have You Hugged Your Foot Today," along with the company's famous slash.
Benjamin Franklin was quoted as saying that honesty is the best policy. Mark Twain put a twist on it: "Honesty is the best policy - when there is money in it."
But George Bernard Shaw's quote perfectly describes the last few days: "I am afraid we must make the world honest before we can honestly say to our children that honesty is the best policy."
Sadly, we're a long way from it, Mr. Shaw.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Aug. 12: It Is Time For a Shield Law
By Sylvia Gurinsky
In the past, this writer hadn't supported a federal shield law chiefly because of a fear it would set definitions on who is a journalist that the First Amendment of the Constitution does not.
However, the Bush Administration and company's repeated smackdowns (for lack of a better word) of journalists - jailing them for not revealing sources or turning over materials or spying on them - indicates that there is no longer a choice. The press needs those protections.
Here's the latest reason why:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/12/us/12fbi.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1218565800-SN+gZcASXV3CP1BdDKQG7w
Neither Sens. John McCain nor Barack Obama were involved in last month's vote, but both have been on record as supporting a shield law. Bush opposes it, and the Senate may not be able to get a veto-proof vote.
But for the last eight years, journalists have been among those harassed and restricted from doing their jobs - innocent victims in the war on terror. It's time to reiterate their constitutional rights. The Senate must give veto-proof approval to the Free Flow of Information Act.
In the past, this writer hadn't supported a federal shield law chiefly because of a fear it would set definitions on who is a journalist that the First Amendment of the Constitution does not.
However, the Bush Administration and company's repeated smackdowns (for lack of a better word) of journalists - jailing them for not revealing sources or turning over materials or spying on them - indicates that there is no longer a choice. The press needs those protections.
Here's the latest reason why:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/12/us/12fbi.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1218565800-SN+gZcASXV3CP1BdDKQG7w
Neither Sens. John McCain nor Barack Obama were involved in last month's vote, but both have been on record as supporting a shield law. Bush opposes it, and the Senate may not be able to get a veto-proof vote.
But for the last eight years, journalists have been among those harassed and restricted from doing their jobs - innocent victims in the war on terror. It's time to reiterate their constitutional rights. The Senate must give veto-proof approval to the Free Flow of Information Act.
Monday, August 11, 2008
August 11: Who Speaks For the Poor Now? Not Dems, Evidently
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Former Sen. John Edwards is toxic - no other word will do at this point - with the revelations of his personal problems. His once-effective discussion of "Two Americas" - one rich, one poor - no longer has credibility coming from him, at least for the forseeable future.
But the issue of Two Americas is still relevant. An Associated Press analysis last week of Edward's troubles questioned who might pick up the banner in the Democratic Party.
The party of FDR, Truman, JFK and RFK now has almost no one prominent to speak up for the poor? Without Edwards, the most effective spokesperson is Sen. Edward Kennedy, who is currently battling a brain tumor.
It lends credence to a comment in the current movie release "Swing Vote" by young Molly Johnson (played so well by 12-year-old actress Madeline Carroll) that she registered her father, Bud (played by Kevin Costner), as an Independent because neither of the two major parties speaks for the working poor.
Actually, there is a prominent Democrat who can go very far by speaking very loudly for those who are impoverished. It's a man who spent a good deal of his adult life working to help the poor before he entered politics.
His name? Barack Obama.
Former Sen. John Edwards is toxic - no other word will do at this point - with the revelations of his personal problems. His once-effective discussion of "Two Americas" - one rich, one poor - no longer has credibility coming from him, at least for the forseeable future.
But the issue of Two Americas is still relevant. An Associated Press analysis last week of Edward's troubles questioned who might pick up the banner in the Democratic Party.
The party of FDR, Truman, JFK and RFK now has almost no one prominent to speak up for the poor? Without Edwards, the most effective spokesperson is Sen. Edward Kennedy, who is currently battling a brain tumor.
It lends credence to a comment in the current movie release "Swing Vote" by young Molly Johnson (played so well by 12-year-old actress Madeline Carroll) that she registered her father, Bud (played by Kevin Costner), as an Independent because neither of the two major parties speaks for the working poor.
Actually, there is a prominent Democrat who can go very far by speaking very loudly for those who are impoverished. It's a man who spent a good deal of his adult life working to help the poor before he entered politics.
His name? Barack Obama.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Aug. 6: Now It's Congress' Turn
By Sylvia Gurinsky
There will never be an official trial of Bruce E. Ivins, the government scientist who killed himself last week, over the 2001 anthrax mailings, which killed five.
The FBI's case may simmer down - at least for the time being - but the questions don't:
-Why did the FBI's investigation take the course it did, leading first, and erroneously, to Steven Hatfield before targeting Ivins? Not all of the dots are connecting in that case.
-Was the then-secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (newly created), Tom Ridge, pressured by the Bush Administration to lean toward Al-Quaida as the culprit?
-Is there any way to determine, if Ivins was the culprit, what might have compelled the choice of targets? The Hartford Courant may have given at least a partial answer to that question today:
http://www.courant.com/news/nationworld/hc-anthrax0806.artaug06,0,5888202.story
But that doesn't explain the anthrax that was sent to a variety of media outlets, including the National Enquirer tabloid.
The next step belongs to Congress, which should hold hearings and air out as much as possible. In this case, national security demands that Americans do know what's been going on the last seven years.
There will never be an official trial of Bruce E. Ivins, the government scientist who killed himself last week, over the 2001 anthrax mailings, which killed five.
The FBI's case may simmer down - at least for the time being - but the questions don't:
-Why did the FBI's investigation take the course it did, leading first, and erroneously, to Steven Hatfield before targeting Ivins? Not all of the dots are connecting in that case.
-Was the then-secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (newly created), Tom Ridge, pressured by the Bush Administration to lean toward Al-Quaida as the culprit?
-Is there any way to determine, if Ivins was the culprit, what might have compelled the choice of targets? The Hartford Courant may have given at least a partial answer to that question today:
http://www.courant.com/news/nationworld/hc-anthrax0806.artaug06,0,5888202.story
But that doesn't explain the anthrax that was sent to a variety of media outlets, including the National Enquirer tabloid.
The next step belongs to Congress, which should hold hearings and air out as much as possible. In this case, national security demands that Americans do know what's been going on the last seven years.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
August 5: Miami-Dade School Board, Continued: How It Can Get Even Worse
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Sadly, Miami-Dade School Board Vice-Chair Perla Tabares Hantman decided to join the gang trying to force out Superintendent Rudy Crew. He is still the superintendent by a 5-4 vote.
During yesterday's meeting, the board decided not to approve, at least for now, a provision that could make matters even worse: An elected school superintendent.
No. NO. NO!
The solution is definitely not to politicize that post. The school superintendent should not be subject to an election. The school superintendent should be, must be, an education professional in every sense of the word.
For an example of what happens when a position is politicized, look at the sheriff's post in Broward County. Look at what happened to Ken Jenne, a man with no experience as a law enforcement officer. That could very easily, too easily, happen in Dade with an elected school superintendent (and yes, it happened with an appointed one, Johnny Jones, in 1980. But Jones and, more recently, the incompetent Roger Cuevas have been exceptions; most Dade superintendents have been top-notch.).
The School Board, which is and must be an elected body, has been abdicating its responsibility to the people it serves. Board members should leave both the superintendent and the means of selection alone. If anything should change, it's on the board, where at-large, countywide seats should be added.
Sadly, Miami-Dade School Board Vice-Chair Perla Tabares Hantman decided to join the gang trying to force out Superintendent Rudy Crew. He is still the superintendent by a 5-4 vote.
During yesterday's meeting, the board decided not to approve, at least for now, a provision that could make matters even worse: An elected school superintendent.
No. NO. NO!
The solution is definitely not to politicize that post. The school superintendent should not be subject to an election. The school superintendent should be, must be, an education professional in every sense of the word.
For an example of what happens when a position is politicized, look at the sheriff's post in Broward County. Look at what happened to Ken Jenne, a man with no experience as a law enforcement officer. That could very easily, too easily, happen in Dade with an elected school superintendent (and yes, it happened with an appointed one, Johnny Jones, in 1980. But Jones and, more recently, the incompetent Roger Cuevas have been exceptions; most Dade superintendents have been top-notch.).
The School Board, which is and must be an elected body, has been abdicating its responsibility to the people it serves. Board members should leave both the superintendent and the means of selection alone. If anything should change, it's on the board, where at-large, countywide seats should be added.
Monday, August 4, 2008
August 4: Dade School Board Is An Embarrassment, and Its Organization Is a Mess
By Sylvia Gurinsky
Another day, another Miami-Dade School Board meeting that may needlessly go into the wee small hours. This time, the subject is the future of School Superintendent Rudy Crew.
Three board members - Renier Diaz de la Portilla, Ana Rivas Logan and Marta Perez - support his firing. As this is written, the hearing goes on...and on.
Unless something shocking happens, Crew will likely keep his job, at least for now, and he should. It would not be surprising, though, if Crew eventually does what Angela Gittens did. Gittens, the former director of Miami International Airport, resigned in 2004 after years of conflict with Miami-Dade County leaders.
Crew has his flaws; he's not always accessible, and the current problems with United Teachers of Dade over the district's budget are as much his responsibility as the School Board's. But he's done nothing to merit his firing. And the issue runs the risk of reopening the long-festering wounds between the Cuban and African-American communities; the matter has already come up at today's hearing.
It seems the train wreck is attracting viewers to the meetings on WLRN-Channel 17:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/front-page/story/627473.html
While public television stations always appreciate more viewers, no one likely appreciates the reason: The Miami-Dade School Board is dysfunctional and an embarrassment to all it serves.
Several years ago, it was thought that the School Board was headed for reform with the election of several members who had actually worked in a classroom recently. No such luck.
Perhaps the ongoing feuds and controversies are a final indication that the exclusive single-member district system put into effect during the 1990s is unworkable in Dade. There was always the danger that School Board members would fend only for their territory at the county's expense, and it came to that long ago.
Dade would benefit from the checks-and-balances system in Broward County, where there are at-large school board members elected countywide, in addition to those who come from single-member districts. In the short term, the School Board members would benefit from shutting their mouths during these lengthy meetings, and opening their minds to the community they serve.
Another day, another Miami-Dade School Board meeting that may needlessly go into the wee small hours. This time, the subject is the future of School Superintendent Rudy Crew.
Three board members - Renier Diaz de la Portilla, Ana Rivas Logan and Marta Perez - support his firing. As this is written, the hearing goes on...and on.
Unless something shocking happens, Crew will likely keep his job, at least for now, and he should. It would not be surprising, though, if Crew eventually does what Angela Gittens did. Gittens, the former director of Miami International Airport, resigned in 2004 after years of conflict with Miami-Dade County leaders.
Crew has his flaws; he's not always accessible, and the current problems with United Teachers of Dade over the district's budget are as much his responsibility as the School Board's. But he's done nothing to merit his firing. And the issue runs the risk of reopening the long-festering wounds between the Cuban and African-American communities; the matter has already come up at today's hearing.
It seems the train wreck is attracting viewers to the meetings on WLRN-Channel 17:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/front-page/story/627473.html
While public television stations always appreciate more viewers, no one likely appreciates the reason: The Miami-Dade School Board is dysfunctional and an embarrassment to all it serves.
Several years ago, it was thought that the School Board was headed for reform with the election of several members who had actually worked in a classroom recently. No such luck.
Perhaps the ongoing feuds and controversies are a final indication that the exclusive single-member district system put into effect during the 1990s is unworkable in Dade. There was always the danger that School Board members would fend only for their territory at the county's expense, and it came to that long ago.
Dade would benefit from the checks-and-balances system in Broward County, where there are at-large school board members elected countywide, in addition to those who come from single-member districts. In the short term, the School Board members would benefit from shutting their mouths during these lengthy meetings, and opening their minds to the community they serve.
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