“NEWSPAPER WARS”……..
BCbythesea hears the the Furth’s are busy putting together their 2nd edition…(after taking ownership…although still not listed as owners on http://www.sunbiz.org/search.html )… of the Mc-CIC-BTSTimes…and gathering up writers with names…actual names to put on with actual bylines…perhaps in an attempt to stop with the sorry number of anonymous “Mc-staff-slap-writers?”….
Is this yet another beach sunrise experience for the Editor-wife……An epiphany that a continuation of the “slap” site association might be hurting any attempt at credibility…thus making this money losing…printed foray …short-lived….for sure?
It’s just got to be a money-losing enterprise……because…that is what the previous Owner-Editor told anyone within earshot….over the last few years….and that was in good economic times…with advertisers…a real estate market where properties were actually selling and a steady stream of local tourism…A time when the Times was going after the prior administration…charging they were “in the pocket” of the Old Guard..
The new BTSTimes will most likely not publish news of the new administrative-local government induced “sections of code” citations running rampant ….its poorly planned business -busting “season” pavilion construction chaos….or acknowledge a climate of increasing political unrest…..
This very paper…is no longer the “little guys”-publication of old……but in fact..this Times re-incarnation under the new Owners/Editors-CIC-Chair/Mc-Gang top tier co-horts…..is a large contributor of the failed promise of “change” that took place right after the January election ……guaranteeing ….. it will not be so welcome on the driveways…and in the condo mail rooms…as it once might have been…….by those who voted for a new way of running this town……fiscally…fairly…inclusively…with transparency… left feeling the effects…of their choices…
The names we hear…trying their hand…include some good people…some are non- political ……with much to offer…
But take it from one who’s “been there …done that”…
Do it as long as you can be proud of what is contained alongside your submission…for you will be judged not just by who is putting the paper out…but by the content of the paper as a whole….There is a big difference between being the story…placing an ad…and being a contributor with a byline……
BCbythesea…still wonders if the “slap” ads are not self produced…how can any credibility go to a paper that accepts such “anonymous” ads…(will this edition “park” Happy New Year above the “slap”site?…HMMM….Not the Owners/Editors?….Which “Booster” foots the ad bill or is it comped?..
Do not sign any contracts……( a volunteer signing on the dotted line is a no-no…..servitude is not pretty)……. or think that there is no way out …( “Hotel California ” reference)…
Be prepared …..that by including your words in “their” paper…… you have now given your “stamp of approval” politically to which side you are aligned…..it’s a consequence that will unfortunately be quickly assumed as soon as the paper hits the streets…….
Ultimately though…. it will all depend on this new issue…if the new owners make the decision to “turn the corner”…or maintain the “Mc-status quo”….and what comes …(whenever it comes)…in those editions that follow….on whether your “leap of faith”….your “helping hand”…your venture into local “newspaper wars” and having that byline ….was an experience worth having…or a one you just as soon want to forget………
more to come….after the paper comes out….
Tags: Local News, Scoops
