More news shows could fill air if writers strike

Could news see a boom due to a writers strike? It may not be so easy...

Variety reports that networks are stockpiling their long-form news shows to fill network schedules, should no contract agreement be reached by midnight tonight and writers go on strike. But... the reality is that many networks have drastically reduced newsmagazine production. For example, this fall, ABC took "Primetime Live" off the schedule; NBC only airs one episode a week of "Dateline," which once upon a time aired five times a week and CBS cancelled "60 Minutes II."

It may get even tougher for CBS news, which has a scheduled strike vote on Nov. 15 for its guild newswriters, who have been working without a contract since 2005.

1,000 + broadcasters join forces in DTV campaign

With the Feb. 17, 2009 DTV Transition deadline fast-approaching, broadcasters want to make sure they don't lose viewers.

In a coordinated effort through the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), more than 1,000 broadcasters are said to be participating in the second phase of a multiplatform consumer education campaign called DTV Answers, which includes on-air PSAs, online initiatives, as well as earned media and advertising.

Earlier this month, the NAB announced they would be committing more than $697 million to helping viewers prepare for the transition to digital television.

Univision joins Red Cross to help California fire victims

In an effort to help people affected by the Southern California wildfires, Univision Communications is teaming up with the Red Cross, airing television and radio PSAs and encouraging viewers and listeners to donate to the Red Cross

"The destruction caused by this disaster only serves to strengthen our commitment to partner with the American Red Cross in order to provide a means by which the U.S. Hispanic community can easily and effectively support the victims," said Univision CEO Joe Uva in a company press release.

In its multi-platform efforts, Univision is featuring a Spanish-language toll-free phone number (1-800-842-2200) set up by the American Red Cross.

Media General may sell 5 stations

Media General, Inc has announced it's exploring the sale of five of its television stations. They're trying to reduce debt and strengthen their balance sheet as the company deals with decreased advertising sales in its newspaper business.

"Divestitures also would help position our Broadcast Division to pursue future growth opportunities," stated Marshall N. Morton, president and chief executive officer, in a company press release.

The stations for sale (and their DMA's) are:

WCWJ (CW), Jacksonville, Fla., 49
WTVQ (ABC), Lexington, Ky., 64
WMBB (ABC), Panama City, Fla., 154
KALB/NALB (NBC/CBS), Alexandria, La., 180
WNEG, Toccoa, Ga., an independent satellite station for WSPA in Spartanburg, S.C.

Media General publishes three metro papers, 22 community dailies and more than 150 weekly newspapers and other publications. It also owns 23 network-affiliated television stations and more than 75 online enterprises tied to its newspapers and TV stations.

CNN is in "virtual" expansion

CNN is in the works to launch a bureau in the Second Life, a 3D virtual world, to promote "user-generated journalism."

According to Mediaweek, CNN will create a variation of its i-Reports and "equip Second Life denizens with kits enabling them to transmit copy and photos. Visitors to Second Life will be able to get the latest news via kiosks scattered throughout the virtual community."

Caruso-Cabrera changes jobs

Michelle Caruso-Cabrera has left the anchor seat of CNBC's Worldwide Exchange. After two years of early mornings (the show airs at 4 am EST), she asked the network for a change.

"I didn't want to get up in the middle of the night anymore," she says. "I love Worldwide Exchange. With its global platform, it is the only show like it in the world. My two co-anchors, Ross and Christine are wonderful to work with. The team in London is tops. But after three years, I'd had enough of the 2 am alarm."

Michelle has already begun her new duties at CNBC as a general assignment reporter.

"I love storytelling, so I'm looking forward to doing lots of great reporting."

Analyst predicts newspapers to rebound

It's a positive forecast... but according to Wall Street analyst Paul Ginocchio, it won't happen until 2012.

The Deutsche Bank Securities analyst predicts to Adweek reporter Mark Fitzgerald, that big metro newspapers will bounce back—but warned that the positive earnings would be in margins far below the levels newspapers saw in the 1990s.

Ginocchio says there are more tough times ahead, as auto classifieds and real estate ads decline, forcing permanent changes to the industry business model.

Price restructure at AP could reduce costs for newspapers

The Associated Press board approved major changes in service structure and prices for its member U.S., that will take effect Jan. 1, 2009.

According to AP's Tom Brettingen, Senior VP for global newspaper markets, U.S. newspapers will have more flexibility in accessing, using and paying for news they use, rather than paying for bulk news feeds.

According to an AP story, most of its member newspapers would pay lower fees or see no changes. While it would reduce AP revenues by $6 on to $7 million less annually, it could help member newspapers in their efforts to reduce costs amidst the advertising downturn.

Denver reporter switches gears

Reporter and education specialist Anna Alejo leaves Denver's CBS4 to become Director of Corporate Communications for Western Union. In her new role, she'll be supervising communication strategy and community outreach.

News Director Tim Wieland made the announcement, saying her last day on the job will be November 2nd.

Santiago moves to HDNews

Jennifer Santiago, former anchor-reporter at WFOR-4-CBS in Miami, will be a Miami-based correspondent/special-projects producer for HDNews, a 24-hour high-definition news channel.

She states what her new duties will be in her blog: "covering not only Florida, but breaking National news, the Caribbean and South America. In fact, if all goes as planned, I will be heading to Cuba this month. Venezuela and Brazil in November. "

Diaz resigns from Washington Post

After a two-year stay at the Washington Post, Sam Diaz resigned yesterday, to return home to the Bay Area.

He starts in November at public relations company Sutherland Gold Group, where, in his own words, he "will be helping tech startups in Silicon Valley develop content strategies such as blogs, podcasts, v-logs, content widgets and other fun, cutting-edge stuff."

He joined the Post in August 2005 as assistant technology editor and was most recently cross-training as a technology reporter.

"One of the toughest things about the whole process has been the idea of leaving journalism, the only career path I've ever known. But I'm excited about the new opportunity and the challenges of bringing my journalism skills to a new industry. "

Sam also sits on the board of directors of NAHJ as financial officer.

Aguilar speaks out about suspension

Rebecca Aguilar, the Dallas reporter who got suspended last week after the station was innundated with calls protesting her handling of a story, tells blogger Ed Bark how everything unfolded.

She reveals in Bark's blog that the object of her story called her to let her know what he was going to do and where to find him, and that the script for her October 15th story was approved before it went on the air.

"We have layers of gatekeepers," Aguilar says. "And I'm the only one suspended."

Meanwhile, UNITY Journalists of Color issued a statement defending Rebecca's professionalism on the job, demanding her reinstatement:

"Upon reviewing the interview, it is apparent that while Aguilar used bold tactics to pursue the story, she did not violate any journalistic standards."

Bailón leaves Al Día

Gilbert Bailón, publisher of Al Día, the Spanish-language publication of the Dallas Morning News, is leaving Texas to become the editorial page editor of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Gilbert, who is currently the President of ASNE, was reassigned from the Dallas Morning News to launch Al Día back in 2003. He's worked for the DMN and Belo for 21 years.

According to a story in Al Día, he leaves his post at the beginning of November.

Rivero joins ABC News Now

Tanya Rivero is the new anchor and correspondent for ABC News Now, based in New York.

ABC announced she will anchor live coverage and news briefs for its digital network. She will also host News Now programs, including "Top Priority," "Money Matters" and "What's the Buzz."

A way to measure readers?

TV programming is under the watchful eye of Nielsen ratings to measure viewers. Now, tests are being conducted to see if print readership can be measured electronically as well.

According to Mediaweek, there are currently at least two tests underway that use RFID--radio frequency identification--to track how readers flip through the pages of a magazine.

Media Research Inc and Arbitron are testing the technology.

San Antonio Express News braces for cuts

Citing a "soft" economic outlook for the newspaper industry, Publisher Tom Stephenson announced the need to cut costs. In a memo sent to employees, the Express-News is offering buyouts, hoping to reduce 40 to 50 positions, warning "If we don't reach the necessary level of cost savings we face possible job eliminations or layoffs."

NAHJ urges suspended reporter be reinstated

Emmy-award winning reporter Rebecca Aguilar was suspended on Tuesday, after a story that aired on Monday night sparked a barrage of protest emails and phone calls. Accused by viewers and bloggers of being insensitive and "ambushing" a 70 yr-old man, Dallas station KDFW-TV Fox 4 suspended her, escorting her out of the building, where she's worked for the past 13 years.

A look at the video that aired, which was yanked off YouTube by the Fox station, shows no such ambush took place and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) quickly went to Aguilar's defense, sending a letter to the station's general manager, urging for her reinstatement.

Rebecca Aguilar was named 2007 Broadcast Journalist of the Year by NAHJ.

Rodriguez resigns from Sacramento Bee

Executive editor Rick Rodriguez resigned today from the Sacramento Bee, a position he held for 9 years. According to a story published in today's paper, although Rodriguez declined to explain his reasons, his departure points to "a disagreement with his publisher over the paper's long-term direction."

Rodriguez's leadership helped earn The Bee almost all top journalism prizes, including the Pulitzer. He is the first Latino news executive to be president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE), a position currently held by Gilbert Bailón, Editor and Publisher of Al Día in Dallas.

Rodriguez will take a few months off before returning to work as a consultant to McClatchy's VP for news, Howard Weaver.

House passes media shield bill

The House on Tuesday voted 398-21 to pass H.R. 2102, The Free Flow of Information Act, a bill that protects reporters from having to reveal their sources. However, journalists could still be forced to disclose information on sources in cases which could prevent acts of terrorism or harm national security.

The White House threatens a veto, saying the bill would encourage leaks of classified information.

Supporters point out how stories such as Abu Ghraib, clandestine CIA prisons and questionable conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center wouldn't have come to light if sources weren't guaranteed confidentiality.

"Freedom of the press is fundamental to our democracy and it is fundamental to our security," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.

More than 50 news outlets and journalism organizations support the bill, which must now pass through the Senate.

Scripps splits in two

Shares of E.W. Scripps Co. rose after today's announcement that it would split itself into two publicly traded companies.

The E.W. Scripps Co. will control the company's newspapers and local TV stations, while Scripps Networks Interactive, will oversee Home & Garden Television, the Food Network and the Shopzilla online shopping service.

Scripps is the second U.S. newspaper publisher and broadcaster to divide its assets in an attempt to increase its market value. Earlier this month, Belo announced it would separate its newspapers from its 20 television stations and Web sites.

According to Reuters, "Wall Street increasingly views the newspaper business as a losing proposition because advertising sales are falling and circulation is dropping as more people get their news online."

AOL hands out pink slips

AOL today started notifying employees of layoffs. According to the Washington Post, about 2,000 jobs will be eliminated, in an effort to reshape the company to better compete with Yahoo and Google.

The biggest hit will be for U.S. employees. It's estimated that 1,200 of the layoffs will affect people working in the U.S.

Last month, AOL announced that it would would relocate its Dulles headquarters to New York City.

Garcia elected president of JAWS

Dawn Garcia, who is currently the deputy director of the John S. Knight Fellowships for Professional Journalists, is the new president of the Journalism and Women Symposium (JAWS), a national organization of women journalists.

Garcia was a newspaper reporter and editor for 18 years before her appointment to the Stanford University job in 2000. She will serve as the organization's first two-year president.

For more on Dawn Garcia's background, click here.

NAHJ urges Pelosi to pass federal shield law

Journalists around the country are a step closer to a law that would protect them from having to disclose their sources, without having to fear jail time.

A vote on H.R. 2102, THE FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION ACT is expected on Tuesday, October 16.

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) has long supported the passage of a federal shield law. And today, the non-profit, non-partisan organization sent a letter to House speaker Nancy Pelosi, urging her and the leadership of the House of Representatives to pass the bill.

For more details on the history of the federal shield law, RTNDA has an excellent summary.

Rick Sanchez's prime time gig at CNN extended

He came on as a fill-in for Paula Zahn and stayed on after her departure from the Cable News Network. Now, Rick Sanchez is due to stay hosting CNN's Out in the Open, at the 8 pm time slot all the way to February of 2008. That's when NBC's Campbell Brown will take over.

His tenure on the news and debate program might be temporary, but according to a story in today's New York Observer, Sanchez is interested in the 7 p.m. time slot.

NBC sells two key stations to buy Oxygen Media

In a memo to employees, Telemundo President Don Browne announced that NBC is selling WKAQ channel 2 in Puerto Rico, the station that started the Spanish-language network as well as KWHY-22 in Los Angeles.

The L.A. station had originally been independent, until Telemundo network bought it, before being bought out themselves by NBC. That had been a point of contention, because NBC was the only network to have a triopoly in one market, defying FCC rules.

Below is the memo Don Browne sent out just an hour ago to employees.

From: Browne, Don (NBC Universal, TLMD)
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2007 11:05 AM
To: @NBC UNI TLMD Employees
Subject: Today's NBCU announcement regarding Oxygen Media

This morning NBC Universal announced the acquisition of Oxygen Media.

This is an important opportunity that is in line with Jeff Zucker’s overall strategy about investing in areas positioned for high-growth.

The Oxygen purchase will be substantially self-funded by selling two Spanish language stations -- KWHY in Los Angeles and WKAQ in Puerto Rico . While these have been strong, historic, independent stations owned by Telemundo, going forward, our station strategy is to focus on the growth of our domestic owned and operated Telemundo network stations which continue to perform and are a tremendous asset in NBCU's portfolio.

Additionally, through the sale of KWHY, we are able to resolve the issues we faced with the FCC over the rule prohibiting the ownership of three local stations in one television market. We will continue to serve this important market through our owned and operated flagship station, KVEA.

While this is obviously an exciting announcement for NBC Universal, it is a bittersweet one for the Telemundo family. WKAQ was founded over 50 years ago as the first Telemundo station and KWHY has been a member of our family for many years as well. These stations will always be a part of our Telemundo legacy.

WPIX reporter quits to go home

Patricia Lopez, who joined the WPIX/Ch. 11 morning news team a year and a half ago, has left the station.

Today's newyorkdailynews.com reports she asked to be let out of her contract to return to her family in Houston.

Lopez, who began her career in Houston, was a finalist in the 2003 search for a co-host on "The View."

Salinas out of Telemundo

Mirthala Salinas no longer works for Telemundo. She had been suspended two months from her reporter job at Telemundo 52 for not disclosing she was having an affair with L.A.'s mayor, while assigned to the political beat.

The scandal prompted an internal investigation, reprimands, suspensions and created great hostility within the newsroom at how the situation was handled. As a result, Telemundo had reassigned her to a bureau in Riverside, which did not previously exist. But... Mirthala failed to show up to her first day back on the job on Monday.

Hours later, Telemundo officials announced in a written statement she wouldn't be returning to her job and had "mutually agreed to end" their employment relationship."

Univision first to plug DTV to audience

Starting Monday, Univision rolls out Una Nueva Era: Television Digital (A New Era: Digital Television), a full-blown campaign to educate viewers about the FCC mandated digital tv change - the first major network to tackle the issue via PSA's.

Ads about the change and how it will affect viewers will air on Univision, TeleFutura and Univision Radio. The network will also produce a Web page, 30-minute TV specials, as well as stories on their local newscasts. Besides doing outreach at local events, Univision is also setting up a toll-free hotline with the FCC and the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Why is Univision going all out? Because, according to USA Today, almost 28% of Hispanic households — and 43% of homes where Spanish is the primary language — get their TV signal only via over-the-air transmissions.