January 31, 2003
Does Quality Matter?
Rewrite! has an informative post about The Quality Project, an effort by Philip Meyer, who holds the Knight Chair in Journalism at the University of North Carolina, to "measure quality and track its benefits to the bottom line."
The project is still underway and as yet offers no conclusions, but the resources section of its website lists several interesting readings. Rewrite cites one on editorial staffing and another entitled "Anatomy of a Death Spiral: Newspapers and Their Credibility."
Links
The Quality Project
I wonder what happens if they discover that quality has a negative effect on the bottom line. Imagine that USA Today produces a greater percentage return on capital than either the New York Times or the Washington Post. True or not, I don't think that's an implausible hypothetical.
Posted by: David Weisman on February 1, 2003 04:59 PMI have thought of that myself. I'm less worried about the Times or the Post, both of which have strong commitments to quality even in difficult times, and more suspect of Gannett, Knight Ridder, etc., who have no inhibitions about trimming staff at the first sign of margin erosion.
Posted by: Tim Porter on February 1, 2003 06:03 PMImagine if running a quality newspaper came to be considered fiscally irresponsible, like it would be if an insurance company had a policy of paying claims it could deny for humanitarian reasons, telling auditors and stockholders to stick it where a proctologist would have to examine it when they were questioned.
Legally I don't think the editorial staff of the Times would have a leg to stand on if the equity holders told them to generate sales and cut costs any way they could without exposing themselves to libel suits. Only the fact that the Times would be abandoning a market niche which is still profitable to try and compete against established players in another protects them from this - as far as I know.
Posted by: David Weisman on February 2, 2003 04:36 PMTIM! Enjoying this site! Enjoyed your article in journalism review.
When do you return from Mexico? ARE YOU EVER COMIN' BACK?!!
Liz may have told you that nine of us were laid off seven weeks ago from PNS. There are not enough hours to do all I'm trying to do to move on. Astounding experience. I KNOW YOU KNOW!
WANT TO GET TOGETHER WHEN YOU RETURN! LET ME KNOW WHEN!
Meanwhile, please absorb peace and quiet for me. In my dreams, I'm there! Hugs--Hil
Posted by: hilary abramson on May 16, 2003 10:23 AMPLEASE REMOVE PERSONAL INFO! I AM SO ILLITERATE ON THIS SITE, I FUCKED UP! embarrassed!x
Posted by: hilary abramson on May 16, 2003 10:25 AM