COMMENTS: 22
New Journalism Clubs Are "Members Only"
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Desperate to stay alive, beleaguered newspaper executives first tried to “monetize” their “content.”
Now they’re desperately trying to “monetize” their “journalists.” And although theWashington Post recently stumbled badly in offering its pay-to-play sponsored ‘salons” to access seekers, the fact that the paper’s own ombudsman called the offer “an ethical lapse of monumental proportions” hasn’t deterred other journalistic powerhouses in their pell-mell rush to revenue. The latest cases in point: the New York Times and theGuardian…
As the indispensable Nieman Lab reported recently, “School’s in session at The New York Times this fall, and the professors include some big bylines on campus: Nicholas Kristof, Gail Collins, and Eric Asimov.” And if, like me, you are an indefatigable student of journalism, here is what’s on offer from the newspaper-of-record’s Knowledge Networkadult-education program, operated in partnership with local universities: one hundred weeklong, largely online courses for Times readers willing to pay between $125 and $185 in exchange for getting schooled by the likes of Times Op-Ed stars like Kristof and Collins.
The courses taught by Kristof and Collins also include a “live, interactive Webcast,” three written lessons, and a message board where students can interact with their instructors – although, caveat emptor, only a few of the hundred courses actually include the participation of Times writers…
This year marks the first time that Times columnists have participated in the three-year-old project – which as Nieman Lab noted, “could be a precursor to the membership model the Times is considering in its search for new revenue streams on the web.”
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Posted by: ESPA on Aug 28, 2009 2:32 AM
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The Guardian is often a great source of info (the NYT, um, not so much - too corporate-biased, IMO). Both are corporate-driven, so unlike our venture at all (we're radical non-profit, and volunteers, but would actually like to be 'more sustainable'). But I don't think what they're doing is exactly elitist, despite my being (rabid) anti-elitist and anti-capitalist. I reiterate that I don't see a problem with what they're doing, which is essentially just a 'hook' - something 'extra', or different from what the writers usually do for their papers. I argue that most readers aren't actually interested in 'exclusive' content/contact with 'x' writers (I'm certainly not), so if they do have loyalists (elitists?) willing to pay for the privilege, so be it. (And that said, being low-income myself, I am still willing to occasionally pay for 'more/better' info than what's pumped out to the masses, just because it's my interest/field... in my context I mean skillshares, workshops, etc.- I'm happy to pay people with more independent media experience than I have for their insights: that's supporting our own 'local' economy). And it's still a hell of a lot cheaper than over-priced post-secondary education, which is not an option for some of us, even here where it costs a lot less than it does in the U.S.)
My greater fear is that the truly good writers - especially investigative reporters with integrity - will lose their jobs totally, and so another kick in the teeth to media democracy.
Just my 2 cents. I get the point. Good article (sincerely) and glad the issue's been raised. I hope this 'exclusivity' is not actually as smarmy as it could/might be! Thanks.
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» Canada one of the last class acts.
Posted by: weathered
» RE: 'Members Only' could be interpreted as 'Niche'
Posted by: VZEQICVA
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Posted by: Magda on Aug 28, 2009 3:03 AM
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Posted by: weathered on Aug 28, 2009 3:19 AM
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and any of these shameless, snotty, self-absorbed 'screenplay writers' have a shred of character to drop the dime on the crimes that throb like an untreated infection - they might actually matter.
Truth is the greatest cash-cow there is, it pays the best dividends.
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Posted by: leafsong1 on Aug 28, 2009 6:41 AM
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Posted by: BlueBerry PickN on Aug 28, 2009 6:43 AM
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sounds like the GOP is taking more notes from the Hari Krishna...
good on ya!
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Posted by: leafsong1 on Aug 28, 2009 6:46 AM
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Posted by: jgrossnas on Aug 28, 2009 6:46 AM
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As long as the Times tells people exactly what they'll get from these writers, why is this a problem? I saw Jon Pareles get mobbed like a celebrity at a speaking event so if people want to pay for access to their favorite writers, why not let them?
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» RE: Journalism has to be creative nowadays about income sources
Posted by: VZEQICVA
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Posted by: Drclaw on Aug 28, 2009 7:33 AM
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What's wrong with paying a nominal fee to interact with journalists, as long as this is not the journalist selling access to the paper or agreeing to manufacture a particular opinion? If I think its valuable to talk with Maslin about a movie, then heck, lemme pay for it. This is no different from paying to get a sports player's autograph or see a big star in a play. The issue here seems to me to be what the responsibility of the news media is, and whether it fills it. If these organizations become only a vehicle for this sort of star promotion then its not so good. Rather, I would hope those money making activities be used to promote other aspects of journalism that don't pay so well, but are in the public interest. If news papers can come up with some creative ways to support those other activities, then more power to them. Otherwise, we need to be sure and support news gathering organizations with donations, because, regardless of your occupation, you have to pay the rent.
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» News gathering organizations?
Posted by: leafsong1
» I agree
Posted by: Drclaw
» Here's How, Who, Where, When, What's Wrong With This...
Posted by: americansheep
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Posted by: carld717 on Aug 29, 2009 6:54 AM
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It's the Grateful Dead model. Let them copy and pass around music tapes for free, but charge for the inter-active experience of the concert.
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Posted by: Sinibaldi on Aug 29, 2009 11:51 AM
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of a mountain
appears over
a rainbow,
where the light
of my dreams
describes in the
will a perpetual
desire.
Francesco Sinibaldi
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Posted by: mjx729 on Aug 31, 2009 7:58 PM
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Posted by: hancoo on Sep 2, 2009 7:17 PM
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Posted by: sunrise1 on Sep 4, 2009 12:50 AM
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Posted by: teon6 on Sep 19, 2009 12:24 PM
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