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Still for School Spending Transparency, Denver Post’s Tune Changes a Bit

by Eddie | 11:32 am, March 3, 2010

The Denver Post followed up its Sunday story on local school district expenditures with an editorial today that says “Shine the light on school spending”:

A bill now advancing in the General Assembly would require school districts to make budget information available online, including discretionary spending. House Bill 1036 argues that districts ought to take advantage [...]

Even If Lobato Lawsuit is “For the Kids” Doesn’t Make Taxpayer Funding Good Idea

by Eddie | 10:51 am, March 2, 2010

If you can dig way back into your memory banks, four months ago the Colorado Supreme Court decided it had a say in determining the state’s school funding policy — giving new life to the Lobato v State lawsuit. Recently, two of the plaintiff lobbying groups have been urging local school boards to agree to [...]

Media Panel: Follow Your Passion

by Ari | 9:32 am, September 25, 2009

Last night I joined a media panel attended by Greg Moore and others. I recorded the event and took notes, so I’ll have much more to say about it. Here, I wanted to reply to a question somebody asked that I did not answer last night.

A student said that a teacher of hers tried to scare her into not entering journalism. With print publications struggling, the jobs just wouldn’t be available.

Greg Moore sensibly said, “If you’re good, you’ll get paid.” He added that journalism will always be part of the culture.

Wendy Norris, formerly of the Colorado Independent, said that all students should have a “plan B.” I agree with that to a point.

Here’s what I would have said had time permitted.

It is true that journalism is in transition now, with various print publications struggling and with people figuring out how to make journalism pay through the internet. But this is a transitory problem. Moreover, journalism continues to thrive in many quarters, and new opportunities abound.

For many, a variety of careers is consistent with their interests and goals. In such cases, having a “plan B” makes a lot of sense.

But if you’re passionate about journalism, then for God’s sake be a journalist! Don’t worry (primarily) about the money: follow your passion! This life is remarkably short, so don’t reach the end of it with such a fundamental regret as not pursuing the career you love.

Now, there are many different paths a journalist can take. Street news or commentary? Radio, TV, photos, or text? Large corporate publication or independent?

I’ve met people who love music, so they pursue music. They do not all make a living making music. Some work side-jobs. But you can be a journalist, even if you struggle financially and have to work a side-job for some span of time.

In your life you will spend most of your time working in your career. One’s work, one’s central purpose, defines one’s life. Don’t be battered around, aimlessly, by the winds of the times. Define your goals and go for them, relentlessly.

“Rocky Times for Colorado News Media” panel discussion recap

by The Peripatetic Pundit | 8:00 pm, May 2, 2009

“What forces in America’s economy and culture are threatening the survival of newspapers and diverting audiences to other information sources? What are the consequences for us as citizens in a free society?”
Former Rocky Mountain News alternating ombudsmen David Kopel and Jason Salzman led a short (one-hour) discussion on the topic of declining newspaper readership and [...]

Sheeple Watch #17: Please Secure Your Unicorns and Popsicles in the Overhead Compartment

by T.L. James | 2:16 am, February 21, 2009

Kathleen Parker gushes like a teenager over her trip to Chicago with the warm, charming, calm, thin, and perfect Obama family:
We had the girls to ourselves for only a few moments before Mom, Dad and Michelle’s mother, Marian Robinson, joined us. Everyone stood, smiled, greeted, shook hands, smiled—the usual drill when host and hostess greet [...]



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