The District Weekly - Latest Comments in WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

Fucker — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:47:52 -0000

I had no idea people were having so much fun in here. Shame on you, Will, for killing the action!

I love the guessing game to discover the TRUE identity of pt-lbc.

Let me see, let me see...

"not an old guy, not a drone, not a features reporter, no hanger on, no buying drinks..have no nickname to publish, not Rich,." But you do provide a service, and you work hard?

Hmm... Furniture mover? No, no, Leisure World chaperone? Quaid???!!!

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

wswaim — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:49:55 -0000

I guess new District reader (who writes with the same idiosyncratic sloppiness as w2) could always buy the alternative story: that we pay writers to sell ads. But that'd be stupid.

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

new District reader, old PT lo — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:34:52 -0000

""I gave him one specific piece of misinformation""

your a sly one Will, but come on, you'ld never buy that excuse if it came from Archibold, why should we buy it from you?

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

w2 — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:07:38 -0000

You win - I'll never be back

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

wswaim — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 23:31:19 -0000

I have an idea about the identity of W2: I spoke with someone who, I had reason to believe, might not be entirely friendly to the District cause. So, in addition to lots of truth, I gave him one specific piece of misinformation: that our sales reps (not, as W2 has it, our writers, for chrissake), make 24%. If he was trustworthy, I figured I'd tell him the truth later; if he wasn't--if he trotted off to tell others the content of a conversation he asked remain confidential for his own job security--I'd hear the magic number again. And now I have.

Paying sales reps 24% would be ludicrous enough; now that the rumor has spread from that single point of contact to W2 (unless W2 is that same guy) it's become even less believable: the number's still there but it's now attached to writers.

So here's the truth: our writers make no commission on ad sales because they don't sell ads; that's why we call them "writers." Our sales reps don't write (though Patrick Dooley, who just moved over to sales? Fucker can write; edited the Union at CSULB, and has a wicked sense of humor), and they make around 12% on every advertising sale; with bonuses and such, it can be a little more than 12%, but never 24%. That'd be stupid--almost as stupid as the person who asserts it as truth without any evidence.

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

wswaim — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 23:20:45 -0000

Hey, W2 (Comment 28): Time to put up or shut up. What's your evidence?

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

John — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:53:37 -0000

Who is the jackass "editor" that responded to the 2 "Letters to the Editor" today? What a jerk! Does he really think anyone will believe what he says?
The fact is that the paper is a complete farce....a pimp for the Chamber of Commerce...rabidly anti-worker (especially the Teachers of all people).....and a shell of it's former self. There is almost no content. How sad to see Hennessy and Krikorian existing as "tribute" writers.
Sad to say that after 45 years of reading the IPT daily I'm done. I don't even care if I find one on a table at work. It's just not worth reading, and I won't even bother looking at their website.
And who said something about Molina buying the paper? Mauricio Heilbron MD wrote an article (his very last one by the way) that the Molina's obviously wouldn't like and that was the last I've seen of him.
I hope we have a real paper again-in my lifetime.

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

Dave Wielenga — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:49:56 -0000

W2, you are adorable! But incorrect on the ad revenue thing. And kind of a chickenshit on the integrity thing ... I mean, W2? You don't have enough courage to post your name, and you can't think of a better alias than that? But you remain adorable, nonetheless. Please keep posting, no matter how incorrectly or chickenshittily -- it is, too, a word! All traffic to our website helps The District grow bigger. Oooh, W2 -- you heard right: you make me grow bigger. Now, go make me a sandwich.

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

hooch — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:22:40 -0000

Also Archbold your website looks like its hosted on geocities. In fact i saw the following address in my browser.

http://www.geocities.com/bu...

And Torrance? Man there isn't enough time in the day for that one!

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

hooch — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:19:13 -0000

I enjoyed reading the press telegram but man there is nothing worse than sleezy bottom line business tactics to force people to work for less while the people at the top sit on their sun deck scratching their balls, smelling their finger and enjoying a cup of International Delight. I bet Archbold has granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances, sub zero brand you know with the barn doors. Oh i bet he also has a swimming pool with a rock landscape and a waterfall with tiki torches. When you cut your organic vegetables can you see the reflection of your open maw in your dark gray granite counter tops? I am assuming this because he seems like a tasteless mouth breathing brawndo drinking St God hospital visiting Not Sure kind of guy!!!

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

w2 — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 00:11:50 -0000

not a rumor, the truth.

District reporters keep 24 percent of all ad revenu they bring in

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

now-former journo — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 23:40:41 -0000

There seems to have been some confusion about the actual numbers of reporting staff; the number of business reporters isn’t changing. Ms. Robes change of beat is more of a lateral move.
There were two reporters who gave notice and their positions are being filled by two persons that would have been laid off had these reporter positions not become available. (One of them was another sports reporter).
That leaves the count at 12 reporters in the newsroom to cover all of Long Beach and the surrounding cities.
The layoffs also included a photographer, web person and two sports reporters, despite the PT's assurances that no reporters would be laid off and that they're investing in the web. (I guess “sports reporters” don’t count)

I also believe the comment about the union representation is also based on confused information.
In Northern California Media News did combine the staffs of several papers (non-union and union) and after all of these people were working in the same office the company then asserted that the union no longer represented a majority and refused to recognize them.
There have been major concerns about that occurring down here as well.
However, that strategy won’t be necessary here because they are simply moving employees to the local nonunion daily paper and reducing the represented staff at the PT. So even though the remaining persons ARE still in a union, the company also accomplishes the goal of reducing the number of persons being represented.
If that’s unrelated, why else would the PT folks be moved to the Breeze rather than visa versa? The Breeze will be relocating soon anyway (as their building has been sold), so now there are more computers, desks and people to accommodate, how does that save money?
And though the numbers seem low as far as actual cuts, consider that 20 or so people being moved (or cut) from the PT newsroom this actually removes about half the people there.
Besides, what's to stop lean Dean from paring down some of those that were moved or the staff that was spared? There are no guarantees. The POINT is local coverage means nothing to him, but it should mean something to all of us. Newspapers aren't just businesses they’re a service to the public, they're our eyes and ears.
We're at a pivotal point in our democracy and we need more voices, not less.

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

Dave Wielenga — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 22:44:12 -0000

I agree with Rich: please read the Press-Telegram

www.presstelegram.com

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

w3 — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 18:29:16 -0000

Speaking of assumptions and rumors...aren't you the guy who tried to start a rumor the District was paying writers to bring in advertising?

Oops.

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

w4 — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:27:12 -0000

or berg, or birg.. whatever

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

w2 — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:26:41 -0000

w3 is Bill Hillburg!

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

Rich Archbold — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:25:52 -0000

Please read the press-telegram
www.presstelegram.com

thanks

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

w2 — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 15:50:33 -0000

again you guys are misinformed:

While I agree the management is full of shit, so are you guys. Your distain for the PT leaves your stories full of assumptions and rumors that it is as bad as you claim the PT is.

1.With the combined staffs, union members will be in the minority and the company won’t recognize their right to collective bargaining.

Had they combined the staff they could have got rid of the union, the management said specifically this was not a joining of staff and while you could argue that is just playing semantics the fact remains that all the reporters and photographers are still represented by the union (weather they like it or not). Union members are not in the minority, 100 % of 15 is 100% (10 writers, 5 shooters in the union)

2. its only reporter, Don Jergler, just resigned.

Kris Hansen is a business reporter, he is still there, and Karen Robes was just promoted to Don Jerglers job - thats 2 business reporters - while I agree it is meger - you guys still need to get your facts straight.

Here is some advice for you guys at the District Weakly, there is no need to embellish the stories at the PT - the truth is interesting enough. Try not letting your personal hatred for the PT get in the way of your reporting.. Well, i guess if you could do that you'ld be working at a real paper not some free-be you made out of thin air.

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

LBRez — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:22:23 -0000

Combover you are a piece of work. Yeah, sure Guantanimo is a "concentration camp", yep the U.S. is using the place to exterminate a race, using the prisoners for slave labor to support our war machine bent on establishing a world nation of Americans. We get the point that you do not like Archbold, your comparisons however are infantile and shallow.

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

SOUTHERN CAL IS NEXT — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 11:57:11 -0000

SPJ's Northern California Chapter Calls MediaNews Out on Staff Cuts

By E&P Staff

Published: March 05, 2008 1:50 PM ET
NEW YORK The Society of Professional Journalists’ Northern California Chapter today expressed concerns about the latest round of staff cuts by MediaNews Group at the San Jose Mercury News, Oakland Tribune, Contra Costa Times, and the 26 other regional newspapers controlled by the company — and called for more accountability on the company’s part for the effect the cuts will have on newsgathering.

“Reports from chapter members signal to us that we can no longer stand on the sidelines when it comes to scrutinizing the effects of these cutbacks on the breadth and quality of news coverage,” board President Linda Jue said in a statement. “We aren't simply talking about saving jobs. We're talking about how business decisions are narrowing the choices reporters and editors make about which stories to pursue. This is of special concern during an election year, when keeping the public informed about fast-changing economic, political and social issues is essential to the democratic process."

These staff reductions, which will be made in the next few days, come on the heels of two additional staff cuts in 2007.

While the board is mindful of the economic challenges facing newspapers, it is calling on MediaNews to reconsider its business strategy and recall its stated commitment to quality journalism. The board pointed out that these new cuts are being made just after MediaNews reported a 33.9% increase in quarterly net income.

In a release, SPJ stated that it is “dedicated to the perpetuation of high journalistic standards that keep citizens well informed on matters affecting their lives and their communities. Therefore, the chapter has a professional obligation to monitor the impact of this series of cutbacks on the free flow of reliable information to residents living in communities served by MediaNews.

“The NorCal chapter will work with its membership to collect data documenting the effects of the cutbacks on San Francisco Bay Area news coverage,” the organization added. “Chapter representatives will seek direct discussions with senior management of MediaNews as well as journalists, union representatives, media analysts, academics, community leaders, and other interested parties. The board plans to share its findings with the public and with concerned governmental officials.”

E&P Staff (letters@editorandpublisher.com)

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

ABC — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:36:24 -0000

Hey pt-lbc,
Your and ad guy or the promotions guy who sells posters at the Grand Prix for a $1 and ear plugs for the same price, " promoting " the PT, very inovative Idea and a great deal considering when you buy them in bulk it cost you 10 cents. Why not give them the posters for free? of and the ear plugs. Wow you are really thinking outside the box . Oh and congrats on the better position, tust me you stick around long enough ( 3-6 months ) and you literally might be publisher.
Trust me the union workers know what work is and though your management you should be fighting for better content to attract more readers so you can up-grade from the Dodge Stratus to the KIA SUV. And If your having issues in you department talk to a union rep.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

Coffee is for closers!!!

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

Metro-link — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:07:08 -0000

It shows a blatant disregard for those of us no longer at the PT, I stand by my condemnations of the half-wits, slackers, and general numb nuts that still reside in the Arco tower...
Other than those on reporters row, the prepguys and two editors over there, the rest of the staff remains overpaid underworking hanger ons....
I don't need to process what you wrote, I lived it....

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

Jenny Stockdale — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:01:40 -0000

Forgive me, that was the only way I ever learned how not to confuse "that" and "who." I wish you the best, as I do for your publication and all those who recently lost their jobs. I don't think I need to (but will) point out that petty online comments rarely solve real problems (I suppose that goes in all directions to this post, mine included). All this friction hasn't materialized for no reason though, and 'getting off of it already' wouldn't really solve anything either, would it? I'm a fresh college graduate with degrees in journalism and English and I can't get a job here in my field. I sat through a conference last spring at Cal State Long Beach listening to one journalist after the next talk about the grim future of journalism, layoffs, cutbacks, etc... It's a very real, very scary problem. Healthy discussion, though, that's what we're here for. Right? Good luck.

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

w3 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:51:27 -0000

I'd know that tone anywhere. Did you just switch jobs?

Re: WHAT’S THE STORY WITH THE PRESS-TELEGRAM? | The District Weekly

pt-lbc — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:43:10 -0000

oh and Jenny - thank you for correcting my grammar, you are absolutely correct..(in one way), I am not an editor... but about my thoughts and concerns? you could not be more wrong..
so sad that you would say something like that - that was really being an ASS