Posted on 09/01/2010 10:07:29 PM PDT by Colofornian
Related links Changes at the Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — The Deseret News announced today work force reductions and unveiled a plan to refocus the quality and reach of its product.
"Changes in the industry have forced some newspapers to fade or even close," said Clark Gilbert, Deseret News CEO and president. "At the Deseret News, we choose to lead and innovate."
Part of that leadership, he added, is the willingness to make hard choices.
"Today we have announced the reduction in our print work force by 57 full-time and 28 part-time employees, which reflects just over 43 percent of our work force," Gilbert said.
Gilbert called the decision to reduce staff "enormously difficult."
"We honor all the outstanding contributions that have added to the great heritage of the Deseret News," he said. "This makes these decisions even more difficult."
At the same time, he said, the Deseret News is now positioned to print a daily newspaper into the foreseeable future and expand its reach and influence throughout the world.
These changes, Gilbert added, make one thing certain: "The Deseret News will run as a daily newspaper for the foreseeable future."
Other leading industry executives recognize the need for change.
"All of us involved in the newspaper business have been challenged to adapt our traditional newspaper business model to our new realities," said Mark Contreras, senior vice president of E.W. Scripps, chairman of the Newspaper Association of America. "The Deseret News team has showed courageous leadership, not just to make the difficult decisions around costs, but to define a broader and more digitally-focused future."
Gilbert said change is necessary because innovation and technology have fundamentally changed the newspaper industry.
"There are exciting and wonderful elements to the Internet as it has expanded the reach of news and information to a level never before possible. But those same changes have altered the fundamental business model and print publishing. In particular, classified advertising nationally has collapsed in most markets."
In response, the Deseret News unveiled a five-part plan "to become a leader in the industry and a model for change," said Gilbert.
First, the newspaper will integrate its newsroom with KSL, creating the market's largest news coverage team. This integration gives both organizations more reporters on the ground covering more stories than any other local news source. As part of the integration, the Deseret News staff will move to the Triad Center "to promote greater synergy in coverage and operations," said Gilbert.
Second, the Deseret News will increase in-depth coverage from the organization's strong journalists on relevant issues audiences care most about.
Third, the Deseret News has created a new editorial advisory board, a group of renowned industry leaders who will provide breadth and depth in opinion and thought through editorial guidance. These leaders are spread across the country, allowing the Deseret News to expand nationally in nature and scope.
Fourth, the newspaper has launched Deseret Connect, an innovative system to collect writers and editors who will provide high-quality, relevant stories on a regular basis. "The content will be qualified, edited and peer reviewed," said Gilbert. "We have attracted people from across the nation with impeccable credentials and the highest respect of their peers." Deseret Connect will complement journalists working at the Deseret News.
Fifth, the Deseret News has created a cutting edge digital team "that is on par with the most innovative new media companies in the country," said Gilbert.
"What is remarkable about what is happening at the Deseret News is that they are becoming Exhibit A for the future of news in this country," said Clayton M. Christensen, a nationally recognized new media leader and professor at Harvard Business School who recently chose to join the paper's editorial advisory board. "I would expect you will see the Deseret News become the model of growth and innovation for the entire industry."
Gilbert said underlying all these changes is a renewed commitment to the Deseret News' mission and values.
Print readership of the Deseret News grew by 20 percent in 2009, the highest growth rate of any newspaper in the country. Deseretnews.com attracts the most traffic of any online newspaper site in Utah, serving approximately 24 million page views to nearly 2 million unique visitors per month, according to Deseret News' online analytics.
"Our readers have been clear that they want more than information," Gilbert continued. "They crave and deserve insight, context and thought leadership relevant to the events and issues of the day from sources they trust. The values we champion are time-honored concepts that belong to people of goodwill around the world. Our new direction positions us to deliver on the expectations of our current and future readers."
Gilbert said the Deseret News will bring a distinct voice to the marketplace — a voice which is driven by its values. As part of the entire vision, six areas of focus have emerged from these values.
The family.
Financial responsibility.
Excellence in education.
Care for the needy.
Values in the media.
Faith in the community.
Deseret News editor Joe Cannon said the changes will take advantage of technology without leaving behind good, old-fashioned newspaper work.
"I believe the new direction we are taking is going to pay rich dividends for our readers and is also going to create a model for the expanded reach and influence of the Deseret News," Cannon said.
From the article: "Today we have announced the reduction in our print work force by 57 full-time and 28 part-time employees, which reflects just over 43 percent of our work force," Gilbert said.
Well, the bottom line economically in Utah is that Utah is one of the worst five areas re: foreclosures on homes. Obviously, the DesNews also felt the ad revenue pinch.
From the article: Gilbert said underlying all these changes is a renewed commitment to the Deseret News' mission and values..."Our readers have been clear that they want more than information," Gilbert continued. "They crave and deserve insight, context and thought leadership relevant to the events and issues of the day from sources they trust. The values we champion are time-honored concepts that belong to people of goodwill around the world. Our new direction positions us to deliver on the expectations of our current and future readers." Gilbert said the Deseret News will bring a distinct voice to the marketplace — a voice which is driven by its values. As part of the entire vision, six areas of focus have emerged from these values...Faith in the community
Let's see. They say their readers want more than just newspaper information. (So will this provide an excuse for them to no longer cover the crime stories involving Mormons as perpetrators? So. They want "insight, context and thought leadership..." Say what? Anybody that is polling newspaper readership...is one of the key things they want is "thought leadership"
Does that mean Lds leaders doing the thinking for their grassroots Mormons?
I am sure they might offer some english as a second language classes at your local community college. It might benefit you to study grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Then, you might be able to communicate more clearly and offer valid observations. You make no sense.
Thank you. You said it better than I was going to.
Wait....
I thought that was how everyone from Utah and Idaho spoke.
“Thanks for having us to go to your place for dinner”.
This while they have finished dinner at the home of the person they are thanking.
Supposedly, these readers want "insight, context and thought leadership." What is "thought leadership" according to these Mormon leaders?
It'd be interesting to query those involved in polling newspaper readership if one of the key things readers want is "thought leadership." (Or do Lds leaders define "thought leadership" as Lds leaders doing the thinking for grassroots Mormons readers?)
That has got to be the grand daddy of all spin jobs.
Without knowing anything about the content of this paper, I wonder .... could it be possible that people just don’t want to read what they’re printing?
Seems like a lot of newspapers are experiencing the same thing.
When they have to criticize your grammar before anything else means they have they don't really have anything else.
As usual.
Hey now, I resemble that remark! ;)
Welcome you are.
I daresn’t say more.
LOL
I have to hand it to you guys, as I was reading the article I was wondering just how the anti-Mormon freeper gang was going to turn this into an attack. I didn’t think you could.
But you all did! Way to go. You do what you do very well.
And anyone wonders why I would jump to conclusions or make assumptions regarding any thread posted by the “gang”? /eyeroll
Why is this in Religion forum it is about the future of news?
Seems the antis bitterness is turning rancid
PD, who has assumed the initiative in opening the door of suspicion, us or Lds leaders of the past? When I see Lds leaders use the strange phrase of "thought leadership" in the context of establishing a new "context" for presentation of the news, in light of the following excerpt from a message from Lds, Inc. to ward teachers, please explain why we shouldn't be suspect?
"He [Lucifer] wins a great victory when he can get members of the Church to speak against the leaders and do 'their own thinking.' He specializes in suggesting that our leaders are in error while he plays the blinding rays of apostasy in the eyes of those whom he beguiles. What cunning! And to think that some of our members are deceived by this trickery...WHEN OUR LEADERS SPEAK, THE THINKING HAS BEEN DONE. WHEN THEY PROPOSE A PLAN - IT IS GOD'S PLAN. WHEN THEY POINT THE WAY, THERE IS NO OTHER WAY WHICH IS SAFE. WHEN THEY GIVE DIRECTION, IT SHOULD MARK THE END OF CONTROVERSY." (Ward Teachers Message, Improvement Era, June 1945 p. 354)
PD, what kind of a "church" automatically - ahead of time - pre-dismisses absolutely ANY kind of disagreement with its leaders as "Satanic?"
What kind of a "church" sets up its leaders to be so infallible that stands in stark contrast to what they say happened to the church leadership of Jesus Christ? IOW, Lds tout that Jesus Christ failed. Joseph Smith bragged that he was the ONLY one who has ever been able to keep a church together; he specifically said that Jesus Christ didn't do it; Paul didn't do it. Only him.
Lds claim Jesus committed a false prophesy when Jesus promised the gates of hell wouldn't prevail vs. the church (Matthew 16:18). Lds claim Jesus' church went into all-out apostasy. In contrast, Lds publications set up its leaders as beyond failing.
Oh sure, they concede leaders have their foibles...and they concede they might start off down a wrong path...but that the Lord will rush in and offer quick correctives.
PD, how can you in good conscience contend that Jesus Christ utterly failed and allowed His church to go under for 17-18 centuries, but that you think the Lds leadership is somehow beyond all that? That is not only mixed-up theology, but it's human leadership idolatry!
When a "church" tells you, WHEN OUR LEADERS SPEAK, THE THINKING HAS BEEN DONE. WHEN THEY PROPOSE A PLAN - IT IS GOD'S PLAN, you know that's a cult highly skilled in brainwashing techniques. That is not the church of Jesus Christ.
Apostles Paul & Peter actually were transparent in showing how they could badly error. Read Galatians 2:11-14, where Paul confronted Peter. Peter allowed himself to be corrected by Paul, and Paul made no bones in keeping it a secret AFTER the confrontation.
That is what the true church of Jesus Christ does. It is accountable to each other. In the Mormon church, no one at the grassroots level dare question the G.A. hierarchy & those they have put in positions of authority.
"Thought leadership" therefore comes across to the "outsider" as "mind control." And my point is that it's not the non-Mormon which has opened the door to viewing things this way; but rather it's the Lds church putting out statements like the one above which has drawn suspicion unto itself.
For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.
From the article: Gilbert said underlying all these changes is a renewed commitment to the Deseret News' mission and values.
Resty, are you trying to say that the "mission and values" of the Mormon Times/DesNews is 180 degrees out of whack with the Lds church that owns it? Really?
From the article: "Our readers have been clear that they want more than information," Gilbert continued. "They crave and deserve insight, context and thought leadership relevant to the events and issues of the day from sources they trust. The values we champion are time-honored concepts that belong to people of goodwill around the world. Our new direction positions us to deliver on the expectations of our current and future readers." Gilbert said the Deseret News will bring a distinct voice to the marketplace — a voice which is driven by its values. As part of the entire vision, six areas of focus have emerged from these values. [These values were listed as "faith," etc.]
So, Resty, are you telling us that "faith" as a DesNews "value" is a secular commodity? Really? And the "vision" and "values" referenced in this article -- are you suggesting they are NOT sourced in a religious grounding? Really?
“Lds tout that Jesus Christ failed”
“Lds claim Jesus committed a false prophesy”
Undecided readers, what we have here is a classic example among multitudes on this board of the Strawman argument. State what (you contend) your “opponent” “believes” and then attack that statement. Don’t fall for it.
As an ex Mormon-basher, I invite everyone to read all of the multitude of Anti-Mormon attack threads and/or comments on this board and then do some research on your own from more than one side of the “issues”.
Is what all these Mormon attack squad people parrot day in and and day out on these boards true? Don’t take their word for it. Find out for yourself. Put forth some effort. You do want the truth right? Prove it.
Read both sides! Talk to both sides! Not just mine. Not just theirs. Make up your own mind.
Here’s a few links to get your started from a different viewpoint. The vast majority of the issues brought up can be found and addressed at http://www.fairlds.org/ I have found but here’s more.
http://scriptures.lds.org/
http://www.lds.org
http://www.fairlds.org/
http://www.mormonwiki.com/Main_Page
http://www.lightplanet.com/response/index.html
http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDS_Intro.shtml
http://www.answeringantimormons.com/index.htm
http://promormon.blogspot.com/
Resty, are you "bitter" that the Lds public relations team can't control all soundbites & news about the Lds church?
For years now, you've been quick to pull the "bitter" card -- just like liberals often pull the "race" or "class" card.
I am not ex-Mormon. No Mormon has "stabbed" my spirit or emotions. I am on a decent relationship level with my extended Lds family. I harbor no ill will toward them or toward you.
However, I am highly committed to truth. To let truth fall where it may. If it provokes some, good. Because I believe the Bible gives us enough evidences where God and Jesus Christ have committed themselves to comfort the afflicted; and simultaneously, to afflict the comfortable.
Those who "settle in" and believe that they are a "god in embryo" qualify as the "comfortable." We are not gods in embryo; and never will be. And if it takes constant reminders to see how "human" we are -- and how "divine" we are not -- then I will be used of God to demonstrate that.
Anytime you want to critique my tone & attitude, please, I am always "up" for such critiques. I am not perfect. But please don't answer content I present where you are judging my inner motives. You don't fully know them.
1 Sam. 16:7 says only God knows the inner man; nobody else does. So for you to ascribe my motivation as "bitterness" is to me making it personal.
Now the question I started out with above was merely rhetorical. I don't really expect an answer from you. But if I were to ask that question of you as many times as you have openly accused ex-Mormons and those who question the Mormon church, you would grow weary of me very quick & would be tempted to stop communication with me altogether.
We have not done that with you, Resty. You are a valuable person God has made. He has made you in His image. The Lord loves you with an everlasting Love. He romances your heart, and mine.
Yet our Lord is a Lord of honesty and integrity. He will not back down from truth, though He knows at times we can not bear it all at once. But He doesn't patronize us the way Mormons often patronize us. He doesn't patronize us the way Mormons who are proselytizing often patronize prospects in withholding the "meat" from them.
So, please, I will respectfully ask you something I haven't asked of you in a while: Stop judging my inner motives. More importantly than me -- 'cause I will take whatever you dish out -- stop judging the motives of others on these threads.
It's not helpful. It doesn't foster open communication. It only fosters distrust, always questioning others as to why they do what they do. We just don't have access to that sovereign knowledge.
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