Tag Archives: Newspapers

I’m ‘yellow’! No, I’m ‘red’!

By Joel Thurtell It’s an idictment meant to unsettle the nerves of any correct-thinking Journalist: I’ve been charged with Yellow Journalism. My accuser — whom I don’t know — sent me an e-mail under the subject heading “Manny Maroun”: Joel, … Continue reading

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‘Loyalty’ and all that

By Joel Thurtell Shhh! Please keep this under your hat. It’s an idea that could make me a bundle of money. I don’t mind sharing it with you, but please, PLEASE, don’t pass it on to somebody who might steal … 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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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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More Freep layoffs

By Joel Thurtell While I was towing our floating docks across Patten Bay closing the cottage for ’09, a good ten hours drive from Motown, managers at the Detroit Free Press were sharpening their knives. More editorial staffers will be … Continue reading

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Cards on the table

Cards on the table 11/17/08 [donation] By Joel Thurtell Reading last weekend’s Detroit Free Press, with a veritable phalanx of columnists weighing in for a bailout of Detroit’s car-makers, was a pretty daunting experience for me. I’ve taken the opposite … Continue reading

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J school tricks: Making jaundice look ‘balanced’ 1.1

By Joel Thurtell In my lecture today, I’ll show you budding young journalists how to do what might seem impossible to many writers with less skill than you will have once you complete your training here in Joel’s J School. … Continue reading

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Playing dumb

By Joel Thurtell Like everyone else in Michigan, I’ve been following Kwamegate pretty religiously. How can you not? The stories are everywhere, even when there’s not a story. Occasionally, when my reactions to media coverage become too powerful to control, … Continue reading

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