ALJ301 reactions, thoughts and musings

After my miraculous induction into the world of RSS just a few weeks ago (see my previous post), I subscribed to Juan Antonio Guiner’s Innovations in Newspapers blog.

This guy is a machine! He posts every day, often twice or more, and brings attention to some of the best (and worst) newspaper initiatives from across the globe. I particularly like his short, no-nonsense writing style. He keeps his blog informative but quick and easy to digest.

Guiner is all too aware of the challenges facing newspaper operators – reduced revenue as advertisers high-tail it to the internet, increased competition, staff cuts… the list goes on.

But Guiner firmly believes that “good journalism sells“, whatever platform it is presented in.

Here are just a couple of the ingredients that make up Guiner’s recipe for success:

• Newspapers need to react quickly to remain in the game.
• Newspapers must report exclusively, deliver solutions (not just problems), and provide analysis and the news behind the news.
• Journalists, especially print journos, need to do all this while writing for their audience, not just relaying expert mumbo-jumbo.

I’d like to add my own ingredient: Newsrooms must foster attitudes that embrace change. Too often in my workplace I see people committed to doing things the old way and resisting change. Times are a’ changing – let’s keep up!

– Koren

Oh – and this post by Guiner is worth checking out, because it’s just plain funny.

 Juan Antonio Guiner, founding director of
Innovation International Media and blogger.
Photo: Innovations in Newspapers