Jackson Free Press

This is fun. The blog of the Mississippi Press Association (I think I'm the only one who ever runs into it) posted something about John Newhouse exiting the Clarion-Ledger, ending with this:

The Jackson Free Press wags are predictably atwitter over the development.

Have I thought to mention to y'all that the MPA wags won't let the JFP be a full member of the MPA, thus qualifying to compete with papers around Mississippi for awards, because—drum roll!—we are free distribution!?! Todd and I went before their membership committee to argue that that should not matter—especially being that some of their members, like The Clarion-Ledger and The Northside Sun, are launching free publications (even littering people's yards with them) in order to compete with us. I mean, TDN, people.

Also, now we have the announcement from Gannett that their papers are going to move toward being "information centers" online (free, of course), in order to fight their falling readership and ad revenue. (Don't miss the inevitable response from journalists who don't think there's anything wrong with being called a newspaper, that it's about good journalism, stupid!)

MPA did tell us we are welcome to pay dues and be affiliate members, however—which would apparently provide us the opportunity for professional development and editorial training from other papers around the state.

I told them that we'd muddle along with professional development that we're getting through AAN, by attending and teaching workshops at places like Northwestern (with its awful j-school), and if we have to settle for winning national awards (see judges here) instead of competing for recognition here in our home state, so be it. They'll just have to do without our affiliate dues. (And they assured us that none of their members' free publications benefit in any way from their MPA membership; hope that's true.)

In other words, the Mississippi Press Association is scared of big, bad Gannett. Surprise, eh?

Previous Comments

ID

108416

Comment

Took me a while to figure out who had written that entry...once I picked apart the URL (hey, y'all, you might want to "back to home" link on that blog o' yurs :-) I found it was Layne Bruce, MPA's marketing director. I'll be honest...I didn't know what a "wag" was in this context; I had to look it up: 11. a person given to droll, roguish, or mischievous humor; wit. Doesn't sound so bad, really. I guess it beats being a flack. (Kidding, Layne. I'm sure PR for the MPA is just as rewarding as real journalism. ::Hugs:: ;-)

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2006-11-12T16:33:41-06:00

ID

108417

Comment

I love it when the iTodd is bad. ;-P I suppose I don't mind being called a predictable wit, and I rather revel in being a bit of a rogue. And I so *live* to be atwitter. So, thanks, Layne from us undeserving wags over here at the paper that is willing to admit that all newspapers are going to be free within, oh, five years at the outside. Or, just calling themselves "information centers." Give our regards to the Northeast Ledger.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-12T17:01:56-06:00

ID

108418

Comment

You know, I just noticed that the Jackson Free Press is the sixth largest paper in the state, circulation wise, according to the MPA's list of members and their very intriguing circulations. Huh.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-12T17:15:21-06:00

ID

108419

Comment

"Wag"? "Atwitter"? I suppose next they're going to call us beef-witted miscreants. Cheers, TH

Author

Tom Head

Date

2006-11-12T17:30:04-06:00

ID

108420

Comment

You know, I think I've learned more new words on this Web site than the eighteen years I spent in school. :-P

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-11-12T19:54:41-06:00

ID

108421

Comment

Mrs Jordan would be proud that I could understand insult. :)

Author

Ironghost

Date

2006-11-12T20:34:51-06:00

ID

108422

Comment

Tom, I think the MPA is trying to be wit-tay. Or British.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-11-13T11:38:13-06:00

ID

108423

Comment

If we're 'wags', does that mean we get brandy and cigars? Or just sherry?

Author

kate

Date

2006-11-13T11:54:16-06:00

ID

108424

Comment

Mmmm. Brandy.

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2006-11-13T12:06:14-06:00

ID

108425

Comment

I'm sensing a theme for the next JFP Lounge.

Author

kate

Date

2006-11-13T12:47:03-06:00