Californian downsizing newspaper? - Bakersfieldbubble - Bakersfieldbubble's Blog - Bakersfield.com

Jun 30, 2009 at 10:06 AM : May I suggest putting...

May I suggest putting some letters to the editor in with a little more intelligence? I can't believe what you guys put in there some days.

Honestly, I'd rather see it as a large tabloid magazine type than the thrown together mini sections like it is now. I just don't understand why you can't keep the sections in the same order every day.

Jun 30, 2009 at 11:06 AM : Very sad. I miss...

Very sad. I miss reading many of the laid-off reporters and have noticed that even the online content is suffering. Stories stay on for days at a time and it seems that the Breaking News Team is relying more and more on other news sources (especially KGET) for reporting local happenings.

Jun 30, 2009 at 12:06 PM : I've been reading...

I've been reading the paper every day for 40 years. I've known and have corresponded with several editors and reporters. They're all great people.

I hope the paper can hang on until (if) readership goes up , or advertising increases. The newspaper is a big part of my life.

Jun 30, 2009 at 12:06 PM : I echo those...

I echo those sentiments vanity and Audrey.

Jun 30, 2009 at 12:06 PM : The Californian has...

The Californian has failed to evolve and change. I don't look for anything or anyone to save it. Today's news tells us that the McClatchy company which publishes the Fresno Bee and Sacramento Bee is unlikely to make it past the end of this year and that Standard & Poor's Ratings Service downgraded The McClatchy Co.'s corporate credit rating into the near-rock-bottom SD, or "selective default," category. Evolve or die...

Jun 30, 2009 at 12:06 PM : Evolve and...

Evolve and change???...what are you blogging on...was this around back in your day?

Jun 30, 2009 at 01:06 PM : The newspaper industry...

The newspaper industry is a victim of the times. There isn't anything in today's newspaper that actually happened TODAY. Can I read what Obama said at today's press conference in today's paper? No. I'm going to have to wait until tomorrow. However, with a few clicks of my mouse, I can read it online right now.

Jun 30, 2009 at 02:06 PM : I have been sitting on...

I have been sitting on the fence for quite some time now. Do I keep my quarter century subscription to The Californian? Or do I give up on ever hoping to stop seeing regurgitated content from other media sources?

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO SOLID INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM ?

It's a sorry state of affairs when a "Guest Columnist" - Marylee Shrider, writes hard-hitting news pieces instead of the opinion pieces she should be writing and the front page features homeless pets!

It's also a sorry state of affairs when 99% of American news coverage is dominated by so few providers. If it were any worse, I would be tempted to compare American news coverage to that of state-sponsored journalism such as Pravda.

The parent companies providing news coverage to Americans are, for the most part, owned by corporations that are beholding to the United States government. Significant world events are happening and the media ignores news coverage or minimizes the impact of these events to curry political favor. Instead of actual news, we are "fed" the latest gossip regarding Paris Hilton, Michael Jackson, Lindsay Lohan etc.

It's a sad and tragic commentary on our society when the average American knows the color of Paris Hilton's dog yet couldn't tell you the Prime Minister of Canada (BTW, it's Stephen Harper).

If anyone wants to know why the newspapers in the United States are failing faster than a General Motors stock portfolio, it is because American newspapers have abdicated their role as providers of solid investigative journalism and deliver only the regurgitated drivel provided by NBC,CBS, ABC and the New York Times.

The public expects more and is turning to the Internet in massive numbers for access to news denied to them by their local and regional newspapers. The current financial meltdown in California state government is a prime example: Where were the investigative reporters when newspapers throughout the state were endorsing initiatives committing taxpayer money to fund, in perpetuity, social programs? Surely reporters own calculators and can do the math and extrapolate the results to a lean fiscal climate!

It is the role of newspapers to INFORM the public, NOT sway popular opinion for political gain. You've lost your way and need to get back on track!

Jun 30, 2009 at 02:06 PM : The Californian has...

FYI- The Californian is locally owned. Change is good. I am an advertiser with TBC and I am welcoming the changes!

Jun 30, 2009 at 02:06 PM : We were in one of the...

We were in one of the focus groups so we have seen the mock-ups. It looks pretty cool...

Love my spam code- "pumft". Sound it out.

Jun 30, 2009 at 02:06 PM : "We were in...

"We were in one of the focus groups so we have seen the mock-ups. It looks pretty cool..."

I sure hope it does not look low budget, like the penny saver!

I hear if this fails, they are going to go on-line only Mon-Thursday....that would be a shame. Our town will be the loser if we don't have a daily newspaper!

Jun 30, 2009 at 03:06 PM : I don't see TBC...

I don't see TBC going anywhere. What I saw looked high quality. Less ads however for us advertisers. But for the readers, I'm guessing that's ok, right?

Jun 30, 2009 at 03:06 PM : To mrsearnhardt88...

To mrsearnhardt88

Based on history, it’s highly unlikely newspapers will be savvy enough to save themselves. When the Internet gained popularity, news outlets were slow to cooperate and even slower to make money. Job vacancy ads moved online to places like Monster because new Web sites could react faster and better than stodgy news outlets. Classified pages were unable to compete against Craigslist, which does their job free.

Instead of trying to revolutionize the news business, owners milked their cash cows until the cows died. Instead of embracing new tech, unions battled changing job rules and entrepreneurs launched competitors instead of dealing with such bureaucracy. That was poison in a good economy. With a major downturn, it is likely fatal.

It’s not just the Internet that’s taking a toll, either. Newspapers have been shedding circulation for years, but no number of fancy charts and color photos has addressed the core problem for the news media – a loss in credibility.

The media’s Obama obsession in the last election reminded Americans that too many in news can’t be trusted. The Pew ResearchCenter for the People and the Press released a 2008 study that declared: “virtually every news organization or program has seen its credibility marks decline.” Just 25 percent of The Wall Street Journal readers said they “believe all or most of what the organization says.” The New York Times, Associated Press and USA Today all rated even lower.

Jun 30, 2009 at 03:06 PM : I agree that local...

I agree that local newspapers are potential sinking ships. To be honest with you I can't remember the last time I actually picked up a copy of TBC. It's usually when I have an ad running to make sure it ran properly. I am on b.com most of the day myself. I get the e-mail alerts when there is a breaking story. B.bom is a little scarce over the weekend so picking up an actual copy is the way to go Sat & Sun. I do miss the days of sitting on the patio with the paper and a cup of coffee but the internet has definitely become the "source" of all that is newsworthy. Sign of the times I guess. I want to see TBC succeed because of the fact that I have many friends over in that building. Nobody wants to see their friends in a shaky foundation. There have been so many lay-offs there already. Truly sad. So all you advertisers out there need to stay loyal, keep placing your ads and hopefully TBC will stick around for another 100 years or so!

Jun 30, 2009 at 04:06 PM : CurtDalton, Journalism...

CurtDalton, Journalism Died! Investagative Reporting! Unless it leans politically the direction they want it to ( generally liberal ) it will be slanted at best.. I've called our local media asking about things that I felt were of great importance politically that they had not reported on and I was told that if it hadn't come to them over the IP they didn't report on it because after all, I might not know what I'm talking about. Fair enough to me, but then investagate it and report it. Nah, Not if it doesn't fit their agenda. Pathetic! That is why I no longer get the Californian. I had been a prescriber and read it faithfully for a few decades. There is not much that a person would feel so passionately about that they'd call their local media so they would report on it. I would think they'd follow through even it were just a short piece on A6, B4, whatever. Customer satisfaction should be first and foremost if you want your business to succeed. Must be JMO...

Jun 30, 2009 at 04:06 PM : Excellent post, Curt....

Excellent post, Curt.

I was going to add to it, but ChesireCat said most of what I was going to say in his/her last two paragraphs at 3:15pm.

The only other thing I would add is that by using the Internet, I can get much more news, faster, and from several different perspectives.

Jun 30, 2009 at 09:06 PM : I let my subscription...

I let my subscription go last year as a household budget cut (see, THAT'S how you reduce a budget deficit), but I was tired of the regurgitation Curt spoke of and the two page local and sports sections which may or may not be in the same place it was last week.

After the sickening debacle of the medias love affair with Obama, I have a hard time reading or listening to any outlet.

I, too, delivered papers as a teen in Tehachapi. They were certainly bigger back then and they were only $3.50 a month(which I STILL had to pry out of some tightwads and stiffs!).

Jul 1, 2009 at 07:07 AM : Here is an interesting...

Here is an interesting take on the "new media"~ tips for Citizen Reporters from reporters like Woodward, Kirstof, Simon (NPR),Smiley and others. http://www.youtube.com/reporterscenter

For the DIY,take responsibility,be part of the solution crowd. Be sure to check out subjects like political fact checking,storytelling,how to on filming ,interviewing and ethics.

Plus my favorite:How not to look like an idiot.