media issues, copyright links

**j* e* m* s* <h*@sbcglobal.net>**

At The Indianapolis Star and a slew of other Gannett papers, the 
editors have asked the readers (or not) to write articles and take 
photographs for publication in the newspaper. These are the people at 
the school board or zoning meetings, etc., and of course, they do not 
get paid for their contribution. There are no qualifications. Fact 
checking?  Who knows.

The press is the only industry actually protected by the U.S. 
Constitution. The fact that the media is afforded particular rights 
and responsibilities speaks to the important role it plays in a 
democracy...the part about an educated electorate. This search for 
the almighty dollar has taken precedent over the public's right to 
know.To me, this practice of seeking the almighty dollar undermines 
the special responsibility the media have in our society There's a 
difference between news and information and today's media owners seem 
more focused on the latter.

jems

>I think there is a bigger issue here.  Nancy and I each write a 
>weekly column, work for hire, in the Detroit News.  For years it was 
>900 words.  About six months ago or so they decided to give us a 
>raise, cut our columns to 500 words and add graphics that they 
>produce to illustrate our very short columns.  This was all part of 
>their trying to address their advertising crisis and disappearing 
>reader crisis.  Every newspaper in the country knows that in ten 
>years newspapers ain't going to be like now.  In their excitement 
>about the wonderfulness of their new format, the folks at the Detroit 
>News  told us they were trying to find ways to strengthen their web 
>site.  They brought up the possiblity of Nancy and I producing some 
>audio clilps (small podcasts) and some video clips to accompany our 
>columns on the web site.  The idea never progressed from that initial 
>brainstorm, but I think something like that is going to happen.  .
>
>That does not mean they won't be back.  The question of course is 
>whether they intend to pay us for these audio and video clips or 
>consider it a part of the new format since we did get a $50 raise.  
>We don't know the answer to that question and we don't know what we 
>would do if they said no audio or video clilps - no column.  I don't 
>think there is any question that the newspapers will try to find new 
>ways to monetize our columns without our getting any share.  I think 
>they are desperate.  They know they are dying but have no clue how to 
>make real money via the web site.  Several newspapers now have their 
>garden writers doing a gardening blog, and I think in both cases I 
>know about, they don't get any extra money; they are on salary.  I 
>found a paper a few weeks ago, that I can't remember a title, that 
>had five garden related blogs on their web site; I suspect all free 
>to them.  What about having the column move towards opinion and 
>controversy with the backup blog allowing for reader followup and the 
>generation of a discussion on the issue.  The blog and the comments 
>page can have advertising just like Garden Rant has now.
>
>I suspect that in a few years, when we write a column about roses, 
>all the garden centers in the area will be able to set up links to 
>the column advertising their roses.  You put in your zip code and get 
>the three closest garden centers to you.  for that the garden centers 
>pay a fee to the newspaper.
>
>I think the yard and garden manufacturers are going to looking for 
>ways to make one on one contact with readers of a newspaper column.  
>Maybe, if they know I am writing this week about lawn mowers, the 
>lawn mower companies can offer rebates just in the city where the 
>newspaper is published.
>
>My point, if there is any, is we should assume that just about 
>everything we garden writers do now to make a full or part-time 
>living is going to be different within the next five years because of 
>new developments on the Internet.  I think we have to take a 
>proactive approach to that change.  If we get defensive every time 
>another change appears, we might lose out in the long run being able 
>to take advantage of the new technology.  Sort of like the photogs 
>still using 35 mm film.  It can't last forever.
>
>Jeff Ball
>jeffball@usol.com
>810-724-8581
>Check out my daily blog at www.gardeneryardener.blogspot.com
>Check out my extensive web site at www.yardener.com
>
>
>
>On Aug 13, 2007, at 6:27 PM, Christopher P. Lindsey wrote:
>
>>  I think it's time to start writing about hemorrhoids and/or their
>>  competitors.
>
>Boy, I just read that and wondered who would want to compete against
>hemorrhoids.  And if you did, would you want to win?
>
>Sorry about the poor sentence structure.
>
>Chris
>
>http://www.hort.net/gallery/      4135 online plant photos and growing!
>http://www.hort.net/gallery/date/2007-07-01/       The latest additions
>http://www.bonvivantnursery.com/                     Bon Vivant Nursery
>_______________________________________________

-- 
Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
Garden writer, author, photographer
Region III Director Garden Writers Association
Phone: (317) 251.3261
Fax: (317) 251.8545
E-mail: hoosiergardener@sbcglobal.net

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