You’re fired. All of you. Seriously.

by Harold

Earlier this month, after seven years at The Journal News and LoHud.com, I left the only professional job I ever had. One week later, all 192 newsroom employees were fired. The details can be found in today’s New York Times. 

When I was in high school, if I wanted to learn about the Washington Redskins, I had limited options — read the Washington Post, listen to WTEM sports radio, watch the Redskins Report for 30 minutes a week. Basically, the Washington Post had a monopoly.

Now the possibilities are endless — I can read newspaper coverage online, watch press conferences and daily updates on Redskins.com, listed to archived interviews on two different sports radio stations, and read countless fan blogs. I could literally spend hours each day following the Redskins (That’s, um, hypothetical. Just a guess). 

But, in a frustrating paradox, all these new outlets haven’t translated into more jobs. The internet sites aren’t making money so most contributors are unpaid, and newspapers are cutting back. When I got there The Journal News covered all major New York sports teams (Knicks, Rangers, Mets, Yankees, Giants and Jets) and had two college beat writers (one national, one local). Now they cover the Yankees, and that’s it. 

You would think that the Internet would help newspapers, since it no longer has to pay for printing presses, delivery, ink and paper, which is a surprisingly big expense. But the added competition for advertising dollars has crippled newspapers instead.

What can be done? Newspaper web sites need to start charging. I’ve heard that people won’t pay for information over the Internet when they’re used to getting it for free. But TV used to be free, and now I pay Time Warner $70 a month for cable/HD/DVR service, and they were so backlogged with orders it took two weeks for them to come set it up. People will pay for things they want, and they want information about their communities.

Maybe internet pricing isn’t the answer, but the status quo sure isn’t working, and my former colleagues are paying the price. Fortunately for you, I’m keeping this blog free for now.