:: LNR Journalism ::

News industry struggles with the fear that general interest has had its day

Guardian :: Niche publication Politico is flourishing on the net while all-rounder The Daily flounders – so does this also mean doom for its old-fashioned print cousins?

A report by Peter Preston, www.guardian.co.uk

Where Joe Williams’ departure leaves Politico’s newsroom diversity

Poynter :: Reporter Joe Williams’ departure from Politico is part of a longer story that began back in 2009 when the National Association of Black Journalists and others publicly chastised the publication for its lack of diversity. This week, under pressure from conservative online publications that claimed Williams had made racist comments about Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, Politico accepted Williams’ resignation.

What does Williams’ separation mean for the media organization’s reputation in terms of diversity, and what does it say about Politico’s sensitivity to external criticism?

Continue to read Tracie Powell, www.poynter.org

Subscriptions a success? Politico Pro announces a high renewal rate

AdWeek In an era where it has been difficult to get anyone to pay for quality reporting, Politico is finding ways to make some cash. Eighteen months ago, Politico went out on a limb with the launch of Politico Pro, a hyper-focused subscription service covering the wonky inner workings of politics sectors like energy, technology and healthcare. Today, it is confident its 'Pro' experiment has worked.

Continue to read www.adweek.com

Politico to expand its subscription service Politico Pro

Media Decoder | New York Times :: Just as print publications across North America are cutting newsroom staff and daily publication schedules, Politico is expanding. This week, the news outlet is starting to hire 20 more reporters and editors to help increase its coverage on the economy and military. Jim VandeHei, executive editor of Politico, said these journalists were being hired to expand its expensive subscription service, Politico Pro, which is often bought by lobbyists and trade associations. Politico is also adding 20 more employees to its business side.

Continue to read Christine Haughney, mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com

Discussed here as well Staci D. Kramer, paidcontent.org

Consumers Union blasts Facebook in full-page ad

AdAge :: Consumers Union took out a full-page ad in Politico today bashing Facebook's privacy policies--or lack thereof. While the ad copy seems written to an average consumer, its placement in Politico is obviously an attempt to catch the eye of politicians.

Watch the ad here - Continue to read Ken Wheaton, adage.com

Politico Pro: A premium pricetag, a tight focus, and a business success

Niemanlab :: Politico Pro covers four major policy areas: technology, energy, health care, and transportation. Newest in the mix is the transportation section, which launched on Tuesday. The site plans to add at least one more vertical before the end of 2012. Of Politico’s 217 total employees, more than 150 are on the editorial side, with 45 of them dedicated to Pro. The rest work in sales, technology, and events. For an individual subscribing to one of Pro’s verticals, pricing starts at $3,295 per year. But most Pro subscribers are part of a group membership, and those start at around $8,000 per year for licensing content from a single vertical to five people.

A business model that will work?

Continue to read Adrienne LaFrance, www.niemanlab.org

Facebook password requests: Probe sought

AP | Politico :: Two U.S. senators are asking Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate whether employers asking for Facebook passwords during job interviews are violating federal law, their offices announced Sunday. Troubled by reports of the practice, Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said they are calling on the Department of Justice and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to launch investigations.

Continue to read AP, www.politico.com

Simulcast the work of Politico TV on C-SPAN? - Yes.

Washington Post :: As a news outlet devoted to covering national politics, Politico has national ambitions. Back in September 2008, the outlet launched an elaborate beast called the Politico Network, a countrywide web of partnerships with newspapers and TV stations. The idea was to share news, revenues and glory. Returns from the project haven’t lived up to the press release. No matter: This year, a hassle-free national platform offered itself to Politico. Terry Murphy, the executive producer and vice president of programming at C-SPAN contacted VandeHei and asked if he’d like to simulcast the work of Politico TV on C-SPAN. Absolutely! Says Murphy: “It was just a call that I made to Jim, and they said yes right away.”

Continue to read Erik Wemple, www.washingtonpost.com

Politico planning big slate of web video shows

Beet.TV :: Seeing an emerging playing field where Internet delivered video news will eventually be on par with cable, Politico will broadly expand its video programming this year, says Jim VandeHei, Executive Editor, in this interview with Beet.TV We interviewed VandeHei in Politico's Washington newsroom earlier this week. Here is our first interview with him about the value of staff reporters on camera.

Watch the video - Andy Plesser, www.beet.tv

Politico TV coming to a station on your dial?

Washington Post :: TV Newser reports that Politico late last year filed a fresh application to trademark “Politico TV.” The filing, reports the site, indicates that Politico “has intent to use it.” Politico isn’t commenting on the matter. A source at the Rosslyn headquarters of Politico, however, says that the outlet is looking to hire someone in the capacity of executive producer to manage Politico’s television build-out.

Continue to read Erik Wemple, www.washingtonpost.com