Journalism Primer
A guide to community news coverage for beginning and veteran journalists in the age of new media
By: Jim Pumarlo
Published; September 28, 2011
Format: Paperback, 62 pages
ISBN-10: 1937391027
ISBN-13: 978-1937391027
Publisher: Romeii LLC
""Community news will survive by delivering the basics" writes long time community newspaper journalist and editor, and director of communications for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Jim Pumarlo, in his no nonsense, concise, and very hands on book Journalism Primer: A guide to community news coverage for beginning and veteran journalists in the age of new media. The author describes the importance of local newspapers to their communities, and share proven techniques for providing high quality news that will benefit both novice and veteran journalists and editors.
Jim Pumarlo recognizes that small, community based newspapers face some very difficult financial challenges in today's economy. Despite those monetary concerns, the author presents compelling evidence that by providing high caliber journalism and a strong local focus, community newspapers will thrive. Reduced revenues have caused many cutbacks at local newsrooms, and have caused a decline in the overall journalistic level of those publications. For Jim Pumarlo, these reductions in reporting staff are the wrong way to go, and are actually speeding up the decline in the relevance and revenue of the papers.
Jim Pumarlo (photo left) offers an alternative vision for developing a successful community newspaper, based on high quality reporting, and a strong local focus in the overall news coverage. Instead of considering as is so often the case, that reporters are a cost center rather than a revenue source, the author provides a strong business case for high level journalism. For Jim Pumarlo, solid and locally oriented content is essential for building revenues for the newspaper. This commitment to excellence in journalism is essential whether the content is published in a print newspaper or in the online version.
Instead of cutting back on serious reporting, Jim Pumarlo recommends improving the standard of the journalism to the highest possible level. The author dispels the misconceptions that have grown up around what local readers want in their local coverage. To rebuild the trust and value in the local newspaper, the author provides the following set of guiding principles for strong and relevant local journalism:
* Be timely with stories
* Be relevant with the information
* Be clear and understandable
* Be inviting and compelling
* Be engaging and offer editorial opinion
* Be accessible and available online
For me, the power of the book is how Jim Pumarlo connects high quality, locally focused journalism, with increased revenues for community newspapers. The author presents a solid case for increasing and maintaining a top quality journalistic standard as the key to financial stability and growth for small newspapers. With an emphasis on delivering the highest quality of content, both in the print and online versions of the publication, advertising and circulation income will increase.
Instead of the shortsighted cutting of reporters, Jim Pumarlo recommends the superior and proven road map to success of providing a high quality product that will be in demand by the readership. The author guides both novice and experienced reporters and editors through the process of creating and writing a compelling and relevant community newspaper. The result will be a profitable and thriving newspaper with ever increasing revenue and circulation.
I highly recommend the practical and real world proven technique packed book Journalism Primer: A guide to community news coverage for beginning and veteran journalists in the age of new media by Jim Pumarlo, to anyone involved in a small community newspaper in any capacity, who seeks a clear and outcome oriented guide to operating a modern, successful small publication. This book will increase the revenue, circulation, and the overall journalistic caliber of any community newspaper.
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