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I hope I’m not kicking a bees nest too hard but that Times story really hit me today. I’m dwelling on it and I hate being quiet about things I care about the most, so I’m gonna get wild and make a tweet thread about why I work for DFM.
Spoiler alert: I don’t hate my employer.
Spoiler alert: I don’t hate my employer.
For one thing our parent company gave me a big award once and I respond really well to flattery.
But, for those who aren’t aware, my company’s owners aren’t the most popular.
This @nytimes story covers the reasons thoroughly: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/10/us/alden-global-capital-pottstown-mercury.html
But, for those who aren’t aware, my company’s owners aren’t the most popular.
This @nytimes story covers the reasons thoroughly: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/10/us/alden-global-capital-pottstown-mercury.html
Interesting detail: @PottstownNews won the same big award from the company the following year. Realized today that’s where I first heard his name.
This also shows how flexible we’ve had be over the years to survive. Anyone remember blogging? http://outsidethunderdome.com/2014/03/27/evan-brandt-mercury-wins-staff-blogger-dfmie/index.html
This also shows how flexible we’ve had be over the years to survive. Anyone remember blogging? http://outsidethunderdome.com/2014/03/27/evan-brandt-mercury-wins-staff-blogger-dfmie/index.html
But I’ve worked for DFM/MediaNews my entire career at 3 different papers, and I’ve grappled with the question of ownership’s reputation the entire time.
Dean Singleton wasn’t the most popular publisher in America either, but he started paying me before I even finished college.
Dean Singleton wasn’t the most popular publisher in America either, but he started paying me before I even finished college.
And ownership has gotten increasingly controversial over the years.
There were at least 24 staff writers and six photographers at The Sun when I started in 2002. Now there are 9 and 1. (Really I hope I didn’t just miscount).
Many of those let go were harder workers than me.
There were at least 24 staff writers and six photographers at The Sun when I started in 2002. Now there are 9 and 1. (Really I hope I didn’t just miscount).
Many of those let go were harder workers than me.
And that’s made me cry more than once over the years.
It’s not fun watching your mentors get thrown in trash.
So how do I not hate my company?
It’s not fun watching your mentors get thrown in trash.
So how do I not hate my company?
Neither DMF nor Alden Global Capital are responsible for the collapsing state of the newspaper industry.
They’re just two entities that are responding to the collapsing state of the industry.
They’re responding aggressively, with cuts. Others are trying different strategies.
They’re just two entities that are responding to the collapsing state of the industry.
They’re responding aggressively, with cuts. Others are trying different strategies.
No one’s solution has worked so far. Thunderdome didn’t work either. That seems like a well-funded dream today.
The @BerkshireEagle is a great success story. I hope it gets repeated large scale.
But it hasn’t yet.
The @BerkshireEagle is a great success story. I hope it gets repeated large scale.
But it hasn’t yet.
And my bottom line is that I want to spend my life trying to give my city good journalism. Or at least half decent journalism. I’ll settle if I have to.
And I’m gonna do that for absolutely anyone who is willing to pay me.
And I’m gonna do that for absolutely anyone who is willing to pay me.
Heath Freeman sounds like a real villain until I stop and ask myself who else will fund my reporting in Lowell.
Anyone?
I’ve heard rumors over the years but none of them ever came true.
I’m thankful for the man who funds my work. Sorry, not sorry.
Anyone?
I’ve heard rumors over the years but none of them ever came true.
I’m thankful for the man who funds my work. Sorry, not sorry.
Other communities in America have shown that no one funding it truly is a possibility.
And that’s the bottom line.
We can all complain as much as we want. Only solutions will actually help.
And that’s the bottom line.
We can all complain as much as we want. Only solutions will actually help.
I’m glad I’m not on the business side of things. The paper would have died 19 years ago.
I’m a listener and storyteller and I take half decent photos. I hope to continue doing that job for anyone willing to pay me for it even though the industry’s in shambles.
I’m a listener and storyteller and I take half decent photos. I hope to continue doing that job for anyone willing to pay me for it even though the industry’s in shambles.
I hope owners like those at @BerkshireEagle keep growing and finding more success.
But I hope @MediaNewsGroup and DFM do too.
I’m not in this to lose. I’m into this to keep a newspaper alive.
But I hope @MediaNewsGroup and DFM do too.
I’m not in this to lose. I’m into this to keep a newspaper alive.
So please think about the state of journalism and the companies involved in it, but I hope it doesn’t stop you from maybe paying for the paper and buying from Alden Global Capital.
That’s who funds journalism in Lowell right now, and that’s who I’m gonna work my ass off for.
That’s who funds journalism in Lowell right now, and that’s who I’m gonna work my ass off for.
It wasn’t an accident that our founders made the very first amendment the one about the press.
We need community newspapers to survive.
Regardless of who owns them, I’m gonna work as hard as I can to make sure this one in Lowell does.
We need community newspapers to survive.
Regardless of who owns them, I’m gonna work as hard as I can to make sure this one in Lowell does.
For all those who will criticize me for this I’m off today and won’t be replying my kids will be awake soon. 
