March 7th, 2010 
joel I’d like to express sincere gratitude for the faithful P&T readers and contributors who have filled in the gap on this site over the past two weeks. Commenters have kept us in the loop on the latest staffing changes, breaking news, and more.
Thank you for being the reason that this blog continues as a successful connecting point for the Erie media community.
Your contributions appreciated on this open forum through comments below, private email, or Twitter.
Embrace the chaos!
February 21st, 2010 joel Ask any blogger that gets even marginal readership; you are bound to get called some names or just deal with some weird stuff. Come to think of it, weirdness is attracted to all media like metal shavings to that bald guy’s head in that old 5 & 10 game we used to have when we were kids.
One pirate radio listserv dude called P&T “FCC-loving” and “bootlicking.” That’s too funny! FCC obeying, yes. Loving? Not even a slight attraction.
Like most bloggers, I use a program to block comment spam (I’ve received over 12,000 spam comments since the beginning). Sometimes the creativity used to try to get past the spam filter is quite cute. Favorite of the week: “Gday thanks regarding your page. I truly adore your web page. Its really informative.” I know I might be adorable, but adoring the P&T…really?
Leave your adorable comments in the space below (no spam please) or through e-mail or tweet @pressandtower.
By the way, if you think you been following me for several months now, make sure you still are following @pressandtower for media tweets. I run two Twitter feeds now, changing my old account to @JoelNatalie for all around professional and personal tweets, and creating a new @pressandtower just for the media stuff. Sorry about any confusion.
Embrace the chaos!
February 14th, 2010 joel Your media checklist:
Remember you can also e-mail me or tweet @pressandtower.
Embrace the chaos!
Posted in Deep Background 
Tags: Erie Times-News, Gannon University, Olympics, Twitter, WJET 
9 Comments » February 7th, 2010 joel Without a lot of help from me, the readers and commenters here on P&T engaged to another 3,000+ page views this week. Thanks!
On this atypical, relaxing Sunday morning, I have to gush about how much I enjoy the Sunday morning newspaper reading experience. I know that the Erie Times-News gets a lot of criticism from these pixels and other inked spaces, real and virtual. But for me, as I learn about my surroundings from what I call “the everyday miracle” of a published newspaper, my pleasure synapses fire.
This morning, my first read was the Page 1A cover story about the rise of truancy in our city and county. Next, I shared with my wife the snowfall totals in DC, Philly and Baltimore…it’s funny how much glee we Erieites receive when others get buried with snow! A weekly must read for me is the Pat Howard column, who’s cranky take on most issues seems quite reasonable to me. Finally, it’s onto the Editorial pages, where this week the Board has established it’s Agenda 2010.
Do I agree with it all? Certainly not! Do they get it right every time, or do they always keep their bias hidden? No way. But the voice of the Erie Times-News is as valid as any other, and the millions of dollars they invest in newsprint and bandwidth continues to be a cataylist for making Erie “A Better Place.”
Your responses welcome here on this open forum, or email or tweet me.
Embrace the chaos!
January 31st, 2010 joel The FCC investigation and shut down of two pirate radio stations in the Erie city limits is proving to be a controversial topic on this blog.
For some readers (and of course the FCC), the situation is clear: you must have a license to operate a broadcast radio station. For others, it’s more complicated: these stations filled a community need that big corporate radio just neglects.
Let’s continue the conversation about radio, TV, newspaper and internet concerns in Erie and beyond on this open forum in a civil and constructive manner.
As always, in addition to your comments below, you can e-mail me or tweet @pressandtower.
Embrace the chaos.
January 24th, 2010 joel It’s been a whirlwind of a media week…lots to talk about so let’s get to it.
Leave a comment on our open forum here, or drop me an e-mail, or tweet.
In essence, embrace the chaos.
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Deep Background for March 14-20, 2010
As I write this I’m watching one of my all-time favorite movies, “Broadcast News
.” It’s funny how the issues of downsizing and symbolism over substance were primary then as in now. The characters of the film are brilliant, especially the quintessentially annoying Albert Brooks character.
We accept the brilliant and annoying on Erie media in this open forum. Leave a comment, e-mail or tweet.
Embrace the chaos!