Editor & Publisher editor on mag's closure: 'It took 125 years to build and 10 minutes to kill'

Editor & Publisher editor Greg Mitchell (above) writes movingly here about the shock decision by publisher Nielsen to pull the plug on the oldest magazine dedicated to journalism in the US.
He writes: "We knew some sort of deal was pending, and expected to be part of it, or left behind at a Nielsen happy with its new income from the deal — and perhaps ready to, finally, spend a little on us, notably to upgrade our when-dinosaurs-walked-the-earth Web site. It was not to be, even though we had never been warned that we were on the brink and didn’t seem to be facing any bigger challenges than 90 percent of all magazines these days."
He adds: "We were swamped with emails from longtime fans who expressed outrage at the sudden closing, offered to send money (or help us go online), praised our work and said this meant doom for the newspaper industry. I wouldn’t exactly go along with that final prediction, but it was good to hear so many tell us how much they loved us and what a big role we had played in their lives, some going back decades. . .
"...the outpouring of support — staggering, really — has been so overwhelming that not only will we be publishing our January 2010 edition, there’s at least a decent chance that someone will step forward and help us continue. If not, staff members may join together in some kind of (unpaid) online effort. Stay tuned. And thanks for the memories."

NUJ claims staffing levels at Financial Times are now too low and workloads too high

NUJ members at the Financial Times have launched the latest step in their campaign to combat what they say are unsustainable workloads at the paper.
They claim that cutbacks to editorial staffing levels over recent years coupled with the demands of new technology mean the pressures on journalists have become too great.

NUJ general secretary, Jeremy Dear, speaking at a meeting of the union’s members at the paper as part of a campaign day of action said: “The FT prides itself on the quality of its journalism. But if you want quality, you’ve got to make the editorial investment that will deliver it.
“Journalists at the FT show an incredible level of commitment. The current standards can only be maintained because of the pride the company’s staff take in their work and the fact they will go far beyond what should be expected of any worker.
“Management need to listen carefully to their journalists: they’re the people who know what counts when it comes to quality, and they’re saying that current situation is unsafe and unprofessional.”
A newsletter produced by the NUJ chapel committee, distributed to staff today says:
"The sheer potential of new technology means that it inevitably increases the workload on journalists, who find that there are many more demands on them to exploit the technical possibilities to the full. New technology therefore means demands for more content – not just displaying the same content in different ways.
“That means we need more reporters, editors and production journalists, not less. Yet staffing has been cut to the bone.”
The chapel is undertaking a survey of stress levels among the editorial workforce. Union reps have written to management to raise their concerns and flyers and stickers were today handed out to staff to highlight the NUJ campaign.

Three kidnapped journalists freed in Afghanistan after being held for six days

Guardian foreign correspondent Ghaith Abdul-Ahad was released with two Afghan journalists today after being held hostage for six days in Afghanistan by an armed gang.
The three journalists had been planning to interview militia in the mountainous region bordering Pakistan's North-West Frontier province when they were kidnapped.
The Guardian said it is not known whether the kidnappers were attached to any specific group and that news of the kidnapping was not released in an attempt to ensure the safe return of the journalists.
Alan Rusbridger, editor-in-chief of the Guardian, said: "We're very relieved that the three hostages have been released. It has been an ordeal for them, and difficult for all involved, including their families. The kidnapping is another illustration of the dangers facing journalists trying to report in many difficult parts of the world. We're delighted the situation has been resolved relatively quickly and that the men are safe."

Wainwright's pie contest intro is so tasty

Being sent to cover a pie-eating contest in Wigan might not be every journalist's dream assignment but it's meat and drink to the Guardian's Martin Wainwright who came up with this terrific intro:
"The world pie-eating championships proved once again to be a controversy-strewn battleground today as the sole woman competitor stormed out and officials banned gravy after rumours of doping with cough mixture."
You just have to read on...

Best of 2009: Adrian Monck

Adrian Monck, managing director and head of communications and media at the World Economic Forum, choses his 'Best Media of 2009'.

Best old media: Wall Street Journal, much improved under new management.

Best new media: Thomson Reuters iPhone app.

Best story: Telegraph MPs' expenses.

Best journalist: Stephen Grey for his commitment to Afghanistan.

Prediction for 2010: China to become a major force in global newsgathering.

Tomorrow: Chris Wheal

Best ofs, so far: Paul Linford; Jo Wadsworth; Steve Dyson; Steve Busfield.

'BBC removes Trafigura video after legal threat'

BBC 2's Newsnight has apparently removed a video of its feature on the alleged dumping of toxic waste by Trafigura from its website after legal threats from the oil firm and Carter-Ruck, the New Statesman blog claims.
It says bloggers have attempted to evade the gag by posting a YouTube video of the feature and have attacked BBC executives for "caving in" to Carter-Ruck.
The Statesman says: "This latest development confirms the urgent need for the government to call time on London's status as the libel capital of the world."

How can Editor & Publisher fold when it's got Bob Dylan on its side?...

Editor & Publisher editor Greg Mitchell, a rock fan and former editor of music magazine Crawdaddy, has enlisted the help of Bob Dylan to save his mag from the axe. Watch Greg's video here.