2008 Woodie Awards
The Diamondback: Tough as a turtle
Steven Overly
Issue date: 9/2/08 Section: Opinion
I'd like to apologize to every reader who reaches for a copy of The Diamondback this year, only to find an empty newsstand.
You see, starting with today's newspaper, we are publishing 500 fewer copies of the city and university's sole source of daily news. As The Diamondback grapples with declining advertisement revenues that relentlessly rattle the entire journalism industry, we've lowered our circulation to help balance our budget.
This trend pains me on two fronts. As a journalism major, I have had to watch layoffs and buyouts gut the industry I revere and aspire to enter. As your editor in chief, I have had to begrudgingly accept the idea that our print readers will have fewer opportunities to gather the information I consider vital to the campus community.
Such difficult times force media outlets to innovate, consolidate and, perhaps most of all, compensate by bringing you hard-hitting coverage in more compelling formats. At The Diamondback, we are pushing more than ever to expand our multimedia offerings and improve the accessibility of the newspaper online. Don't expect an overnight revamp of www.diamondbackonline.com, but throughout the year, a growing emphasis will be placed on our website.
Though it may seem outdated in today's Internet age, we will also continue to improve the look of our print newspaper. After all, many of our on-campus readers still gather their news - and, of course, the Sudoku and crossword - from the print version of The Diamondback. You'll already notice some changes, primarily in the Opinion and Diversions sections, but more tweaks are on the way. Bear with us as we work to improve the newspaper's aesthetics, and please send us your feedback. We are your newspaper, and your opinion matters.
Finally, our largest push will be to bolster the portion of The Diamondback that transcends both mediums: our content. As newspapers nationwide shrink in size, it's more important than ever that remaining content is insightful and relevant. Through dogged reporting, we plan to not only uncover the news, but also highlight its impact on your daily life.
You see, starting with today's newspaper, we are publishing 500 fewer copies of the city and university's sole source of daily news. As The Diamondback grapples with declining advertisement revenues that relentlessly rattle the entire journalism industry, we've lowered our circulation to help balance our budget.
This trend pains me on two fronts. As a journalism major, I have had to watch layoffs and buyouts gut the industry I revere and aspire to enter. As your editor in chief, I have had to begrudgingly accept the idea that our print readers will have fewer opportunities to gather the information I consider vital to the campus community.
Such difficult times force media outlets to innovate, consolidate and, perhaps most of all, compensate by bringing you hard-hitting coverage in more compelling formats. At The Diamondback, we are pushing more than ever to expand our multimedia offerings and improve the accessibility of the newspaper online. Don't expect an overnight revamp of www.diamondbackonline.com, but throughout the year, a growing emphasis will be placed on our website.
Though it may seem outdated in today's Internet age, we will also continue to improve the look of our print newspaper. After all, many of our on-campus readers still gather their news - and, of course, the Sudoku and crossword - from the print version of The Diamondback. You'll already notice some changes, primarily in the Opinion and Diversions sections, but more tweaks are on the way. Bear with us as we work to improve the newspaper's aesthetics, and please send us your feedback. We are your newspaper, and your opinion matters.
Finally, our largest push will be to bolster the portion of The Diamondback that transcends both mediums: our content. As newspapers nationwide shrink in size, it's more important than ever that remaining content is insightful and relevant. Through dogged reporting, we plan to not only uncover the news, but also highlight its impact on your daily life.
Submit a letter to the editor or post a comment below.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
georges
posted 9/02/08 @ 4:01 PM EST
Since Overly is sitting in the Jayson Blair memorial seat, might I suggest he just fold this piece of fabulist fiction. How can a newspaper that launched the careers of Blair and USA Today's Jack Kelley justify its continued existence and drain on student dues? If you must print, then print on the Web. (Continued…)
Jonathan Cribbs
Jonathan Cribbs
posted 9/02/08 @ 4:31 PM EST
The Diamondback isn't given any university "student dues." It's independent. Although the university does allow the newspaper to stay on the third floor of the South Campus Dining Hall for free due to a Board of Regents ruling many years ago. (Continued…)
Erik N. Nelson
posted 9/03/08 @ 2:06 AM EST
Georges, the Diamondback may have been the launch pad of Jayson Blair, but it's also launched countless other very reputable careers in journalism and other fields. (Continued…)
Nelson
posted 9/03/08 @ 9:06 AM EST
Ha ha.
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