Staff Infection

P-T REPORTS ON ITS NIGHT ON THE COUNCIL AGENDA: ADDENDUM

Rachel PowersWed. March 05
 

“Clear and concise account” buried under a pile of feel-good features and out-of-town news.

Dave Wielenga continues his (I’m just going to go ahead and say it) top-notch reporting on the disintegration of the P-T by observing that the paper’s coverage of last night’s City Council meeting was surprisingly balanced.

Hats off to the reporters at the P-T.

As for the paper’s editors: You’ve got to be a pretty obsessive reader of the smallest print on the P-T website to find the story. And you’ve got to have the patience to sift through a story about a 9-year-old girl who is undergoing life-saving heart surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, news of a fatal car crash in Downey, an update on the preliminary hearings for an upcoming murder trial, a story about what Chris Pook is up to in Paramount, and an update on the investigation of a shooting death in Los Angeles. (Not much going on here in Long Beach, it would seem.) Then, in tiny type, you will find the P-T’s afterthoughts: Is “i-Crime wave” just hype?” and District readies for budget cuts and Tim Grobaty: Do-Si-D’oh! False Alarm.

After all that: P-T changes spur Council response.

That story, incidentally, begins with “Concerned about how recent layoffs and restructuring at the Press-Telegram will affect local news coverage…”

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COMMENTS

  1. 1

    Hey, just wanted to point out that there’s no conspiracy to keep that news buried — I normally post and order the stories, but last night a coworker offered to do it for me, because I was having the best night ever (you can see me on page 5, embarrassing myself in full color). We’ll fix it.

    [report]

    Posted By Megan Lasswell on March 5th, 2008 at 10:06 am

     

  2. 2

    An enormous thank you for responding.

    From here, it looks as if PT staffers are in a difficult position, no question about it. And the layout of the online edition isn’t an editor’s top priority (nor should it be–unless s/he is the online editor). So perhaps the placement of the story isn’t that big of a deal.

    But what about the placement of local coverage? If there is a 1:3 ratio of local-to-LA basin news, does this get pointed out at the budget meeting? Don’t he police blotter, City Hall happenings, and the port don’t offer enough fodder to fill up the front page?

    (now I’m going to look for the page 5 photo!)

    [report]

    Posted By Rachel Powers on March 5th, 2008 at 12:23 pm

     

  3. 3

    (something very strange happened in that last sentence. Can’t explain it.)

    [report]

    Posted By Rachel Powers on March 5th, 2008 at 12:24 pm

     

  4. 4

    It’s bad enough that we’re losing a talented, creative group of journalists - many of whom I’ve relied on during the past eight years to collaborate on stories, share laughs and talk shit.
    The fact that the future of this publication is now in the hands of people in Torrance and Woodlands Hills - who don’t reside in this community and have no real ties to it - makes it even more depressing.

    [report]

    Posted By Kris Hanson on March 5th, 2008 at 1:22 pm

     

  5. 5

    The story was clear and concise because the reporter wasn’t watched by certain editors while he wrote it.
    He was left alone to do his job and provide balanced, accurate information as an observer of the evening’s events.
    Just to let Megan know we appreciate that she was able to have the courage to express what we’ve all been feeling since about 11:30 a.m. last Friday. (You have nothing to be embarrassed about.)
    I have a tremendous amount of respect for her and all of my colleges (and former ones) who spoke out for us at the city council meeting Tuesday night.

    [report]

    Posted By C. M. on March 5th, 2008 at 6:07 pm

     

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