According to the Washington Post, Twitter is allowing the players in camp to send out the message, not the Powers That Be in the NFL.

For the first time, fans aren’t dependent on media reports for training camp updates. Players themselves are divulging certain details, from the humorous to the inconsequential, using Twitter feeds.

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Twitter has ruffled some feathers in recent weeks. While players test their boundaries and wrestle for their independence, league and teams have kept a careful eye on Twitter feeds, trying to maintain a semblance of order.On Friday, San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman punched into his Blackberry: “Coach said we cant tweet in the blding so i called my lawyer and found a lupo [loophole] in that contract…tweeting outside yeaaaaa.”

And this, campers, is not what mainstream media or organizations that have controlled its dynasties’ public image anticipated with the onset of social media devices such as Twitter and Facebook.

I find it to be very interesting on how it is going to play out.Similar Posts:

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Jim Voorhies calls this the best comment ever.

I can’t help but agree.Similar Posts:

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There has to be one if you are a journalist.

John Robinson explains why:

I suspect every editor can tell stories about conversations with newsmakers who attempt to use their access and perceived friendship to influence coverage, which, predictably, turns out to be negative. I certainly can. I have also worked with editors who loved the access to newsmakers and being on the inside.They have said that it gets us stories we wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.

But more often, I saw how that has influenced news coverage for the worse.

Let’s break it down a bit more. Politicians will placate a journalist (and now bloggers too) so it’s best to remember that the job comes first, the public interest is the most important thing and sometimes elected officials don’t like that you have to do your job.

Just saying.Similar Posts:

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Photo By Adam Tinworth

Journalists continue to be laid off in Tennessee this week as The Tennessean eliminated roughly 30 positions on July 9th which ranges from those reporting on the street to account execs to press operators.

It’s not a new story. It’s happening to many of us and it will continue to. The big question that comes to mind, as I’m living it as well, is where are we going to go.

In an article from last December, Eric Deggans asked a very good question. Where are the middle-class journalists going to go?

Now, I see a media industry where some of the most talented, experienced and middle-class writers are being cut loose from the operation. Much as you want to avoid hyperbole and overreaction, it feels like another turn toward the online economic model — where mostly owners and big managers are paid decent wages, and costs are kept low by keeping a tight lid on wages for most workers.

Many of us have tried to evolve and remain relevant with new technology, but there are other issues that must be addressed.

One major thing is with so many media organizations, many times bloggers are filling in the gaps with free content. From an economic perspective, it’s smart business. Don’t get me wrong, it’s just a sign of the times but it does create a gap for unemployed journalists seeking employment.

The jobs just aren’t there.

I’ve spoken to several folks who have been downsized. Many of us are attempting to think outside the box on where we fit in. Blogs are not generating a livable wage unless there is a sound business model with access to businesses that will advertise and there has to be some semblance of a traditional advertising plan.

The online market is filled with blogs, but you will find that most of them, unless established or part of a larger organizations, are not making money.

Of course, editors and publishers have made some significant mistakes in print journalism by focusing on everything but the kitchen sink except covering investigative/breaking news. Journalists, especially in smaller papers, work on sections designed to specifically sell car ads, holiday promotions and the list goes on ad nauseum. What wasn’t recognized is that maybe readers picked up on that people were spread thin. Advertisers tired of special promotions. I’m sure there is more, but the key came down to that although the industry talked about this for years, many organizations didn’t not make revisions it was too late. Other thrived, such as Knox News, that realized they had to build their online presence and have received national attention for creating a viable product while balancing with its print product.

All this analysis doesn’t change the fact that journalists downsized over the past few years will have to make adjustments due to the lack of options and that some media organizations are going to go outside the paid structure for free, quality product.

I think we will see in the coming months that journalists will end up taking jobs out of their chosen profession. Not out of choice, but out of necessity.

But with desperate times, our society usually sees new and fresh ideas coming out of adversity. I think journalists will find a new path, it’s just going to take time.Similar Posts:

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In a story at the Huffington Post, Jennifer West talks about losing her job as an editor and a new journey she is taking. West’s story is similar to other journalists who have become unemployed. Although she has opted to go back to school, she says she’s out of the news business for good and will look at obtaining her degree is special education.

What about freelancing?

I refuse to work in journalism ever again. It’s turned its back on me.

But I called you.

But you’re not going to hire me.

That’s true.

I’m 41. Trying to get back into journalism — I was booted out and I’m looking in and I’m seeing 26-year-olds and 25-year-olds interviewing for the jobs I want. They ask everywhere for one to three years experience. What happened to 20? Nobody wants that.

There is a lot of truth in her words. Believe me.Similar Posts:

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Blogs like TMZ and social media powerhouse Twitter may have broken the story of Michael Jackson’s death but the reality is that even the most casual news junkie wanted confirmation from an established journalism institution.

Simon Owens explains and shows Google Trend goodness on how this went down last week regarding the death of the King of Pop.

There’s some evidence that Google users may find credibility more important than speed. I was chatting with an editor at the LA Times who pointed out that Google Trends showed that more searches were aimed at the Times’ coverage of Jackson compared to TMZ’s reporting

This is important. As Owens outlines, that CNN, which is also owned by TMZ’s parent company, waited it out until official confirmation came from reliable sources.

This is something anyone working in journalism needs to watch. TMZ was right. However, readers and established news outlets waited for verfication.

Even with all of this said, news changed last week. Only time will tell in the long run which direction news is headed.Similar Posts:

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I don’t think Brown gets Twitter and he’s more than all right with that.

“It still seems more self-indulgent than relevant, but oddly, that’s what a lot of journalism is these days.”

Well, yeah, there is truth there as well. Personally, I like Aaron Brown and I appreciate his candor.Similar Posts:

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The world of news is continually changing. A testament would be to the social media networks covering the death of Michael Jackson. The thing to remember though is that even with the instant nature of breaking news (which is still being touted 16 hours later on CNN as I type this) that we have forgotten some important things.

And Joe Larkins reminds us of one scrappy reporter that held the news reins earlier this week regarding the unusual disappearance of an American governor.

If there is ever a reason that newspapers should NOT go away, think Gina Smith.  Smith is the reporter who broke the story about the Governor of South Carolina who was not hiking the Appalachian trail but was instead strolling through the old Grand Tetons while down  in Argentina.  Actually what I find amazing is that any news organization would be interested in spending the manpower on  staking out TWO locations (the airport in Atlanta and in Columbia) to meet the governor.  I think it is safe to say that Gina Smith will have several job offers here very soon if she is not fielding them already.  She has what is missing in so many newsrooms these days…imagination, instincts and the support of managers who actually care about real news instead of what passes for news anymore.

Smith had the support of managers that allowed her to track a story and apparently gave her the breathing room to do it correctly. This is the difference between investigating the news and just reporting news, such as the case of the mass celebrity deaths this week. Of course people are oddly intrigued with the death of famous folks, but the reality is that there is actually more news going on than the death of the smiling angel, the laugh of the good-hearted second banana and the King of Pop.

I can only hope that managers in news organization remember the story of Gina Smith, who was allowed to go with her instincts and not halted with excuses of budget cuts or lack of administrative interest.

Don’t get me wrong, the way the Jackson story broke yesterday was mesmerizing as Twitter and Facebook sputtered a bit to keep up with the volume of interest from concerned fans.  I was glued as well, comparing Twitter’s coverage with the cautious apprehension of CNN, which I write about here.

However, with the news cycle being about as long as a Twizzler these days, there are more stories out there on the horizon that will need investigating. As Christian Grantham calls it, we need the Smiths of the world wearing their inner fedoras because the Michael Jackson news cycle will end as well.

They always do.Similar Posts:

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Knoxville peeps, Knox Views is having a Recession Special at their blog. This is very inventive.

For a limited time only, KnoxViews is making our premium top banner advertising space available at no charge to local/area merchants, no strings attached.

Help your company and your customers fight the recession and stimulate the local economy. And be sure to tell your favorite merchants about this amazing free offer!

Read the rules first and see if this is something you want to partner with R. Neal on.

Not a bad idea in the least helping your local peeps out.

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Thanks to Christian Grantham at Nashville is Talking, we find that the new iPhone does a lot more than you thought it would.

How good is the iPhone’s new video camera? Good enough to make the evening news, literally.

Here’s the story of how the new iPhone which was used to shoot a news package that made the evening news.Similar Posts:

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