As we all know the Boston Globe has zero credibility. The NYT has made sure it lost any objectivity it once had by ordering editorial to support casino gambling. Their refusal to post the Crowley/Gates police report shows they don’t care.
A new Globe ownership or a new start-up (which I still believe is the better of the two) must put credibility above all else.
Conceding that errors do happen the paper should strive to be accurate. Unlike newspapers, an on-line paper can change information after it is printed. Errors such as high school sports scores etc should be changed and noted in the on-line edition.
This means an ombudsman department with authority.
The trick is in the details in establishing these policies and needs to be fleshed out with experienced people. What is opinion and what is fact? Facts which were known at the time of publication but reported incorrectly, including in opinion column, should be corrected.
A great early editorial would be opposition to the shield law. If a newspaper needs that type of protection it should not be in business.
COME OUT SWINGING!
A new paper. Too much baggage at the Globe (though I still say the Globe is best positioned to mount a comeback with new ownership).
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p>A quibble: Is there an ombudsman “with authority” anywhere in the industry?
can’t be a bad idea to test out!
the topic of a shield law really deserves its own post (though — I agree in principal)
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p>but, absolutely, a few entrepreneurs could do decently with a start up, a little advertising push, really well-written, credible reporting in a slim package. I think even an online-only effort, or a hybrid approach (where, perhaps, certain days have print, or there’s a weekly print, etc.) could do well.
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p>There’s a lot of Globe baggage and it’s lost a lot of its credibility. Investors could probably invest half the money and start anew. If they do a good job in the beginning, people will catch on soon. They do not need to do their own printing or distribution — if there is even a print edition, let someone else do that. Focus just on the news.
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p>Of course, there can be whiz owners that take prestige brands in prestige industries where profits have always been on the modest side and make them well respected (and more profitable) again — two being our premiere sports organizations in the region… but that seems like a tougher sell with a newspaper. The only major asset I see in owning the Globe over some smart start-up is Boston.com. That’s not really replaceable.