finally…
ABC News today announced major layoffs. 300-400 positions are going to be eliminated.
Most interesting in the announcement today is the decision by David Westin that the network news organization is going to move toward VJ based newsgathering.
The transformation will have six basic components:
1. In newsgathering, we intend to dramatically expand our use of digital journalists. We have proven that this model works at various locations around the world. We believe we can take it much further;
2. In production, we will take the example set by Nightline of editorial staff who shoot and edit their own material and follow it throughout all of our programs, while recognizing that we will continue to rely upon our ENG crews and editors for most of our work;
3. In structure, we will combine our weekday and weekend operations for both Good Morning America and World News;
4. In special events, we will rely upon our program staff through the day and night to cover unexpected events and marshal personnel from across the division to cover scheduled events;
5. In newsmagazines and long-form programming, we will move to a more flexible blend of staff and freelancers so that we can respond to varying demand for hours through the year; and
6. Overall, we will eliminate redundancies wherever possible.
This is no surprise to us.
I actually met with David Westin in (ready?) 1990 to explain the VJ model to him.
Well, it only took them 20 years to get there (not that they are there yet…) but better late than never.
Reading about this today is a bit like reading that they are going to start handing out pagers to their staff so they can stay in touch.
Too little, too late.
In the era of the Internet, ABC News is diving headlong into 1990.
Great.
Like an African country embracing the phone, they might leapfrog the technology and go directly to iPhones, but don’t count on it.
Well, it’s certainly a sign that VJ is becoming mainstream. This is no surprise to us, but rather passe at this point.
Far be it from me to turn down a training contract with ABC News (and as soon as I get off this ship, I’m gonna be in touch with David Westin). But my guess is that they will do it internally, and that they will mess it up.
In the meantime, at least, one of the questions that I have been asked ad-nauseum for the past 25 years has at last been answered:
“If this is such a good idea, how come no network news operations do this?”
Now, they do.
But we have moved far beyond where they are just starting to explore.
Good luck.
and welcome.
Better late than never.
5 Comments
Pingback: A call to action for Next Generation Journalists « Adam Westbrook
joe February 25, 2010
Great job! You are helping destroy the news business and helping to create an inaccurate news mob that will further misinform our citizenry and will aid in the destruction of our democracy. But you’re cashing in man, ain’t you clever.
Avery February 24, 2010
Ahhh, the sweet smell of vindication.
Vanessa February 24, 2010
So how many other networks have you spoken to and recommended this bold smart move? If ABC finally did it, think the others will follow suit? Hope so!
$ February 24, 2010
I think this move by ABC speaks volumes.
Not so much about embracing VJs.
But as a company with severe financial problems.
Finance issues are what have forced them to make this change.
Not a desire for better.
Much like NBC and their shuffling Jay Leno around.
Misguided management thinking they can save their way into prosperity instead of realizing what their product is.
Here’s a hint for those suits at ABC.
The product is not money.