Jul
11
What I’ve been reading today as I try to beat the heat:
- More mashing of Google Maps. Google Maps has added even more features that journalists should be paying close attention to. There’s also a lesson here for media: Google maps are so damned popular not because they’re cool, but because they are increasingly useful.
- Keeping “wrong grammar” off the air. One of the criteria for rating TV shows in Thailand will be proper grammar. As a word guy, I love this, although the idea that some government flunky will be setting grammatical standards is a little worrisome.
- London council to ban free newspapers if they don’t recycle. The latest manoeuvre in the battle between the London freesheets and the Westminster City Council.
- Eight reasons to be hopeful if you work for a newspaper company. Howard Owens follows his list of eight historic newpaper mistakes with a more positive list. One that’smissing from the list: newspaper companies have got the dough to buy up successful online competitors and add them to their core property.
- When Media Leaders Paint the Big Lie. Roy Peter Clark wants newspaper publishers and editors to start telling the real story about what all that cost-cutting is doing.
- Adios, Aly, and Thanks for Always Being on Duty. I’m going to miss Aly Colón’s writings at Poynter on ethics and diversity.
- Economist launches audio magazine. Free to subscribers; four pounds a pop for each issue for those who don’t. Interesting move. (Link goes to Media Guardian; free registration required.)
- Yikes. Harry Potter is coming and, based on this front page, he’s not only armed but exceedingly scary.
