Posts Tagged ‘media’

Deep Background for March 7-13, 2010

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!

Posted in Deep Background Tags: , 10 Comments »

Deep Background for February 21-27, 2010

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!

Posted in Deep Background Tags: , , , , 22 Comments »

Deep Background for February 7-13, 2010

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!

Posted in Deep Background Tags: , , , , 9 Comments »

Deep Background for January 31 – February 6, 2010

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.

Posted in Deep Background Tags: , , , , 23 Comments »

Deep Background for January 24-30, 2010

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.

Posted in Deep Background Tags: , , 14 Comments »

Deep Background for January 17-23, 2010

January 17th, 2010 joel

The pictures from Haiti have been heartbreaking.

The attempt to cover the tragedy of the earthquake has demarcated the limits of even the most highly advanced broadcast technologies. The networks are settling for lots of satellite phone calls and Blackberry video.

Meanwhile, the total devastation has pushed even the most crusty reporter to show their humanity. For me, that’s a good thing.

In this open forum, we express our human emotions as well as educated opinions on media locally and nationally. Get involved with your comments below, or e-mail me, or send a tweet.

Thanks for getting involved.

Posted in Deep Background Tags: , , , 12 Comments »

Deep Background for January 10-16, 2010

January 10th, 2010 joel

I’m increasingly convinced that there is a new “normal” in the Erie and national media construct.

Before you say, “Duh!”, let me say that the old business models of selling ads to show in front of massive audiences is not dead yet, but it’s increasingly impotent. That’s why, for example, you have these yearly knife fights between cable providers and content producers/networks. The networks like Fox have to generate additional revenue streams to pay for the high cost of production.

Meanwhile in the radio and newspaper world, the high amounts of debt on most media balance sheets (excepting the Times Publishing Co.) forces wholesale reductions in personnel and expenses just to pay the mortgage.

On the positive side, the new normal means tons of opportunity for entrepreneurial approaches in the new media space. You no longer have to wait for an FCC license or buy a million dollar press…you can just write an app.

Are we willing to embrace this new normal? Let’s pay homage to the past and wistfully “remember when.” But let’s also look ahead at all of the opportunities this proliferation of media provides.

I want to hear from you! Leave a comment, e-mail me, or tweet @pressandtower.

Embrace the chaos!

Posted in Deep Background Tags: , , , , , 6 Comments »
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