As someone that has worked as a social marketer since the dawn of (social media) time, I’m always plugged in. I’m checking Facebook, I’m on Twitter, I’m checking in on Foursquare while Instagramming my life away. News comes at me constantly and quickly and, rarely do I pause and think (or usually in my case, utter out loud) that a news day (or two days) is especially noteworthy or busy. The last two days have been an exception to that rule. So in no particular order, here’s why:
Ed Koch: This is a huge loss for New York and for the world of politics. Ed Koch had more chutzpa and character than most (especially most politicians). Never afraid to speak his mind, Koch stood when most would sit. He was iconic to New York and I can’t remember a time when I couldn’t recall his face and name.
Almost too ironically, a documentary about the late Mayor, Koch, is coming out shortly and I can’t wait to see it to learn more about, and, pay tribute to New York’s most famous Mayor.
Ron Jeremy: Gross. Sad. Grosser! Sadder! Oy. I sat next to Ron Jeremy on a flight back... Read more
Tagged 'news' 
When news businesses die, good journalism dies too
A lot of good friends and colleagues lost their livelihood this week when RCR Wireless News shut down in the face of a worsening global financial meltdown. The move is shocking on many levels, but what's even more depressing is the speed at which news outlets are failing and taking good journalism down with it.
Call me crazy or behind the times, but I'm absolutely certain that everyone suffers when fewer people get paid to cover news. Sure, most are underpaid, but that's beside the point. Fly by night bloggers are not the answer -- after all, where would they aggregate news from without full-time, salaried news gatherers doing all the legwork.
Look to Gothamist's many properties for a fine example of things done right online with solid reporting to back it all up.
On the flipside, there's those journalists who are too close to the action and have too much of a vested interest to distill news with any sense of reality. Take this clip from "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" as a perfect, yet hilarious and maddening example.
That kind of thing sure doesn't help, but what worries me even more is the number... Read more
