NEW YORK TIMES, CBS
New Ombudsmen at NYT, CBS News [Stephen Spruiell]
Clark Hoyt is the new Barney Calame:
Mr. Hoyt said that he could not predict what subjects he might focus on. “They are likely to be driven by what readers care about and complain about,” he said.
But over the last year, he has spoken publicly about his concerns about the future of the newspaper industry, arguing that weakening finances, a toxic partisan atmosphere and coziness with government officials threaten to undermine journalistic courage and integrity. He also spoke before a Congressional committee, arguing for a stronger Freedom of Information Act.
Unsurprisingly, that's exactly what Bill Keller thinks is ailing newspapers, as evidenced by his public statements and the Times' new policy of boycotting fancy dinners. So, right away, not much space between Times management and its new in-house critic. At least Keller didn't scrap the position, as he was thinking of doing.
And over at CBS News, Public Eye welcomes Matthew Felling:
Prior to joining “Public Eye,” Felling served as media director for the Center for Media and Public Affairs since 1999, where he studied trends in news and entertainment media. In that role, he was featured on the DVD re-release of “All The President’s Men” as a media scholar. He has published articles on media research in the San Francisco Chronicle, San Diego Union-Tribune, Portland Oregonian and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. He is also a regular National Public Radio guest host on Washington, D.C.'s WAMU. Felling was a senior manager for the editorial and promotion division of Feldman Communications, Inc. (1998-99), a political correspondent for McClendon News Service (1996), a broadcast assistant at WJFK-FM in Washington, D.C. (1995), and producer of “World of Ideas” for WBUR-AM on National Public Radio (1994-95).
Felling has previously contributed to Public Eye's "Outside Voices" feature. His post was titled, "Don't Go A Courtin' Katie." Excerpts:
Dear CBS News,
We’re friends, right? Well, as your friend, I’m asking you to seriously reconsider this public flirtation you have with “Today” show host Katie Couric, courting her to potentially anchor the “CBS Evening News.” I know that nothing has been announced, mind you. It’s just been a steady stream of comments in MediaLand that you haven’t lifted a finger to silence.
I write this as not just a media observer, but also a living, breathing, iPod-toting, XM-listening, “Daily Show” watching full-fledged 32-year old. In other words, the demographic you’re dying to attract.
Snarkier and crueler assessments of Katie Couric are cranked out on a regular basis – and sure, it would be easy to come up with a hatchet blade like “The Gabbin’ Gidget” or “She’s Like Carson Daly’s Cool Mom” – but this is Walter Cronkite’s seat we’re talking about, a destination too important for cheap shots. And with Couric’s contract ending in May, you may be preparing for the big pitch right about now … if you’re really serious about all this.
As your friend and loyal viewer ever since the days of “Mash” and “Simon & Simon”, I feel obliged to perform an intervention regarding this Couric fascination of yours.
Please stop.
Think. Explore your other options.
Simply from a ‘capital J’ Journalistic standpoint, how can you designate as “anchor” someone who hasn’t been a newsperson in over a decade? There. I said it.
This could be fun.
05/03 05:29 PM
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