WFDD raises $70k in 3-day pledge drive

The Business Journal reports local NPR affiliate WFDD raised $70,000 in three days of on-air fundraising. The article says it marks the third year WFDD has held a pledge drive in February.

The station is attempting to raise about $646,000 in membership revenue, which accounts for about half of the station’s operating budget, the Business Journal reports.

E.C. :)

The Enterprise...hiring?

Just days after the parent company of the High Point Enterprise announced additional layoffs in its printing division, this suddenly appears on the NC Press Association Web site:

Reporter (posted 2/18/09)
Even if you have limited experience (including college newspaper, internship), if you can demonstrate strong reporting, writing, grammar and communications skills and have a passion for intensely local coverage, we would like to know more about you. Cover everything from city and county governments to festivals and nonprofits, to public safety to schools and beyond; providing plenty of behind-the-scenes human interest features; identifying and examining trends; writing about people – what they do, how they do it, why the do it, how well they do it, the agony and the ecstasy and everything in between of life. College degree (journalism or related) preferred. Send a letter telling why you want this job, your resume and your best six clips to Joe Feeney, city editor, The High Point Enterprise, P.O. Box 1009, High Point, NC 27261, before March 9.
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Do you think they'd hire me back?

E.C. :)

Great YES! Weekly article on the struggle among area newspapers

If you haven't seen this week's YES! Weekly cover story on the challenges of area newspapers, you must read it.

What's stunning is this quote from John Robinson at the News & Record:

Nearly any action taken by Robinson and the News & Record is criticized roundly in letters and blogs. A familiar refrain, commented by Doug Johnson in response to Robinson’s November post about buyouts, is “Keep doing the same old thing. You will get the same old result!” But the editor does not blanch in the face of criticism. He even argues with commenters on his own blog. “There are three things every man thinks he can do better than anyone else,” Robinson says, straining to remember a quote by Mark Twain. “These are stoke a fire, make love to a woman and edit a newspaper.”
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I'm...not even going to attempt to comment on this one.

E.C. :)

Media General furloughs employees

It was only a matter of time...the parent company of the Winston-Salem Journal is forcing its employees to take some unscheduled time off.

Triad Media Watch obtained a copy of the letter sent out to employees yesterday:

Dear Fellow Employees,

So far in 2009, economic and corporate earnings reports have been worse than expected. Consumers and businesses continue to reduce spending, which is causing the advertising market to weaken further. The contracting economy and uncertain outlook require us to be even more cautious than we already have been regarding our revenue expectations for 2009. Despite aggressive sales initiatives and significant cost reductions, I regret to report that we need to build in additional expense savings to offset the revenue shortfalls our divisions anticipate.
During the remainder of this year, each of us will take a mandatory 10 days off according to the schedule below, and our pay will be reduced commensurately. The company is also asking its unionized and other employees under contract to agree to participate in furloughs in lieu of layoffs. Furlough days do not have to be taken consecutively, but they must be taken one full day at a time. The days can be taken effective immediately and must be scheduled with your supervisor to minimize business disruptions. Furlough days can be accelerated as long as you have approval. On furlough days, you should not participate in work-related activities.
Furlough schedule:
4 days between today and March 29, 2009
3 days between March 30 and June 28, 2009
3 days between June 29 and September 27, 2009
When non-exempt employees take a furlough day, the reduction for that day's pay will be made at that time. For exempt employees, furlough pay reductions, amounting to the equivalent of 10 days spread over the first three quarters of 2009, will be automatically deducted from their paychecks. The reduction will be spread to equal four days in March and six days between March 30 and September 27. A Q & A regarding this program will be posted to theMeganet today, and your HR representative is also available to answer questions.
I understand and regret the financial hardship this will cause. In recognition of the particular hardship of the four days that must be taken in the relatively short period between now and March 29, 2009, we are instituting a program whereby employees may request an advance on all or part of their pay reduction for that period. Any advances will be repaid to the company over the remaining nine months of 2009. Employees seeking this option should contact their HR representative to fill out the appropriate forms, which will include the equivalent of an IOU to the company.
These are unprecedented times. Your loyalty and hard work are very much appreciated as we work together to weather the economic turmoil in our country and our industry. We believe the prudence of our actions now will help us navigate to more prosperous times.
Yours sincerely,


Marshall N. Morton
President and Chief Executive Officer
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N&R's Robinson on the defense as area bloggers rage against inaccuate reporting

News & Record editor John Robinson is on the defense once again as he attempts to paint the News & Record of Greensboro...in a positive light. This, after a crap storm surfaced following initially-published stories over the past few days involving the Scott Sanders trial taking place downtown.

Area bloggers are letting Robinson know quite clearly of their dissatisfaction at the way the initial stories were reported. Coupled with the CBS-2 story that aired the other evening that caught flack with many bloggers, it is almost a situation of stressing the "citizen" in citizen journalism.

Tony Wilkins is probably the best place to start. "Follow him [Robinson] as he dosey does his way gracefully around the room trying to explain how a newspaper could “error” at this stage of the story, equating the N&R to Bill Buckner’s error at first base in the World Series of 1986."

Robinson's blog: "Casual? You're in error if you think I'm casual about it. I also understand that mistakes happen and that attorneys point out anything and everything that will help their case. The mistake was acknowledged. You are thinking it is going to have a big impact on the trial. Fine. Let's see."

Ed Cone: "But is it really a "clear case" of collusion in order to prejudice potential jurors?"

Jerry Bledsoe, commenting on Guarino's blog:

The N&R headline—“Case that led to Wray exit goes on trial”—is simply false. The lead of the story also is false. The incident for which Sanders is facing charges had absolutely nothing to do with Wray’s resignation. He didn’t even learn about it until the indictments more than a year and a half later. It is outrageous behavior on the N&R’s part.

The front page story today was equally outrageous. It ties Sanders' case to the supposed surveillance of black leaders that never happened. It allows Mitch Johnson to say, “The person who was managing the process was Mr. Sanders.” Sanders was an assigned detective. Detectives don’t manage. In the criminal case during which black leaders were incidentally recorded, the manager was Vice & Narcotics Capt. Rick Ball.

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E.C. :)

Bloggers question CBS-2 objectivity in Sanders trial story

Greensboro area bloggers, including Ben Holder, are starting to take a look at the objectivity of CBS-2 (WFMY) as it relates to the just-started Scott Sanders police case in Greensboro.

See this post from Holder's Troublemaker blog.

Specifically, many are having a tough time stomaching this report from anchor Frank Mickens. They accuse Mickens and CBS-2 of extreme bias as it relates to both this case, and the ongoing troubles down at City Hall and its involvement with the Greensboro Police Dept.

A commenter over at the Troublemaker writes:

Compare Fox 8 and WFMY's coverage of this case. One reports and one attempts to sway your thinking in the court of public opinion. Look at both and decide who is reporting and who is dividing the community.

E.C. :)

Bob & Wendy morning duo protest firing from 94.1

The morning duo of Bob Campbell and Wendy Gatlin took to the streets during the noon-hour Monday to protest their sudden firing last week from Majic 94.1FM (WTHZ). The firing occurred after "The Bob and Wendy Morning Show" signed off for the last time this past Friday. Campbell described the firing as a "cost-cutting move." (see blurb from Radio Online).

Bob and Wendy held signs in an impromptu demonstration on W. Wendover Ave. near the Costco in Greensboro, saying "Honk for Bob & Wendy," "Radio Stimulus Here," and "Kids Hungry, Need Jobs." The demonstration attracted attention from passersby honking and on-air coverage from NBC-12 and News 14 Carolina.

Campbell attributes the firing to the decline in local ad revenues. He said ad sales among many local radio stations are down 40 percent.

The duo said they hope to be working again soon in some sort of capacity.

E.C. :)

Is there a market for "Progressive" Talk Radio in the Triad?

I'm a talk radio junkie, have been for years. I grew up in Chicago listening to WVON, a predominantly urban talk radio station in Chicago, along with the big talker WLS.

So I'm wondering about this debate about bringing back the fairness doctrine by some in Washington. And if there is a potential market for progressive talk radio in the Triad.

I'm for freedom of speech and freedom of expression, so I don't think that forced equal time by the government is the right way to go. But I will say that I do often desire to hear other thoughts and opinions on the radio. Would Air America or other progressive outlets find a niche here in this area? Is there a market for other viewpoints on local radio in this area?

Thoughts.

E.C. :)

Area papers take home state press association awards

Both the News & Record and the Winston-Salem Journal took home honors last night from the North Carolina Press Association. The N&R took home top honors: first place in general excellence for daily newspapers with a circulation of 35,000 or more (more from the N&R here).

Wonder if brass from both publications will heed the words from the comments left here over the last few days relative to the overall survivability of newspapers.

E.C. :)

WTQR DJs Nominated for Academy of Country Music Award

The Business Journal reports that WTQR morning hosts Jeff Roper and Angie Ward received Academy of Country Music nominations this past Wednesday for on-air personality of the year among large market stations.

Awards will be announced April 5 in Las Vegas, and will be broadcast on CBS.

E.C. :)