Tag Archives: future of newspapers

Interfering with news? What’s new?

By Joel Thurtell Unbelievable! Frightening news! Democrats are poised to take over Philadelphia newspapers! A former Democratic mayor of Philly who was also a governor of the state is heading a group who plan to acquire the newspapers. Already, they’re … Continue reading

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Spiking the Super Bowl pizza

Here, slightly edited, is my annual Super Bowl story: By Joel Thurtell I’m no sports writer, so it was neat to think my byline would appear over a Super Bowl story. What a drag that my first-ever Super Bowl piece … Continue reading

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Reasons not to cancel the paper

By Joel Thurtell We’ve already learned from my star columnist, Peppermint Patti, why she thinks my idea of reading newspapers on my laptop is bad, bad, bad. I have only one lap. It can hold a laptop computer. Or it … Continue reading

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Fantasy JOA, Round Two

By Joel Thurtell Guess I was ahead of my time. I could have won myself ten thousand big ones if I’d just been a little patient. But now, I had to shoot off my big mouth. Actually, I’m glad I … Continue reading

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Of rats and humans

By Joel Thurtell What kind of human being would do this: Fire 6,000 employees, freeze the pay of those who remain and then demand they take 12 percent pay cuts. And give himself a 50 percent raise, banking $4.7 million … Continue reading

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Maunderings of a media mogul

A play in one act By Joel Thurtell The hero of our new unillustrated, eponymous comic strip is the head of a once huge media company hard-hit by an economic recession. He is struggling with the same moral issues that … Continue reading

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Saving newspapers: A modest proposal

By Joel Thurtell [paypal-donation] I could make a fortune with this idea, except I got it from The New York Times. I’d have to kick something back to them, probably. For once, it might be worth it. It’s amazingly simple, … Continue reading

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Of pizzas, pools and prosecutors: or, how the ‘Free’ Press (once again) muzzled itself

The Wall Street Journal‘s revelation that my onetime employer, The Detroit [Self-Styled] Free Press, had invited advertisers to participate in the reporting and editing process came as no surprise to me. I worked at the Free Press 23 years if … Continue reading

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Business model for newspapers

by Joel Thurtell [paypal-donation] Heard about a business model for newspapers. Goes like this: Write news, sell ads, print a paper and hawk it, mail it, put it in vending machines, newsstands and let people decide if they want to … Continue reading

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Who scotched the tale?

By Joel Thurtell [paypal-donation] You never know who scotched the tale, Only that it didn’t run. No space! No space! You know that’s bull. You never know why the yarn got spiked, Only that it didn’t run. No space! No … Continue reading

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