Mon
Mar 9 2009
08:13 am
The advent of state and local McNews?
By: R. Neal

First seen at Enclave, Tennessee's four largest newspapers have cooked up a content sharing deal. Interesting that two are Scripps papers.

Not sure what to make of this. It sounds like another cost (and job) cutting measure. On the other hand, maybe the Tennessean gets expert ORNL and TVA reporting from the News Sentinel, and the News Sentinel gets expert state government reporting from, uh, Tom Humphrey?

Seriously, it seems like the East Tennessee papers (News Sentinel and the Chattanooga Times Free Press) are doing a better job covering state government and the Tennessee Congressional delegation than the Tennessean and the Commercial Appeal. I'm not sure what the News Sentinel gets from this deal. Also, will this result in fewer points of view, less watchdogging, and less overall coverage of state institutions?

MORE: Jack Lail, Trace Sharp, A.C. Kleinheider, and Jack Lail, again.

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JCA's picture

Interesting that it's been

Submitted by JCA on Mon, 2009/03/09 - 11:13am.

Interesting that it's been five days now since the meeting to do this and there's been nothing in Jack McElroy's blog or in the paper about it. I'm afraid consolidation of reporting like this will only continue.

Jack Lail's picture

McNews

Submitted by Jack Lail (not verified) on Mon, 2009/03/09 - 11:18am.

We certainly hope it brings better coverage. And if it was to result in less watchdogging and less coverage, I think I know who might point it out. :)

WhitesCreek's picture

I am concerned that there

Submitted by WhitesCreek on Mon, 2009/03/09 - 1:11pm.

I am concerned that there will be less investigation in the reporting. Part of what I think drives news gathering is the competitive contest for the "scoop" or to point ou that the other guy got it wrong, etc. If most news orgs are relying on the same source it's like looking at the world through on eye.

It seems to be a step away from what we really need. It's about cutting costs.

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