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Earlier this year, newly minted Washington Times EIC John Solomon began making changes at his new place of employ. His first move was to bring an end to some of the Times' most sacred traditions: like deploying scare-quotes around the word "marriage" when preceded by the word "gay," and belittling a major national political figure and presidential nominee by referring to her constantly with her first name. Also, they resolved to be slightly less douchey to immigrants and stuff. And, as we learned earlier this week, Solomon is poised to undertake a staff realignment -- old talent trimmed, new talent brought in -- that he promises to be "expeditious and fair, even-handed and humane," especially to the people being hired.
Well, that wasn't the end of Solomon's changes, not by a long shot, and today, he detailed some of his plans to FishbowlDC. The coming Times' upgrades include a recently launched TV/Radio studio, a website redesign (with a goal to "go live in mid-May"), and a reorganization of the physical look and feel of the paper itself.
As far as the online initiative goes, Solomon promises a "a Web 3.0 generation website" that's focused on enhancing the reader experience through the use of something called "news cubes" and greater "horizontality." Solomon also says that the Times plans to "create 15-20,000 RSS feeds on narrow-casted themes," which might just be the most terrifying promise the Times has ever made. Even more exciting: increased opportunities for you area bloggers to turn your hobby into a profession! The Times will be launching various online communities over which will rule a "blogger in chief." Expect the look and feel of permalancing, however: "They will most likely not be a Times staffer," Solomon says.
The paper's print redesign is also coming in the short-term: Solomon says to expect it "by summer time." Are you mentally prepared for a new Washington Times?
Photo by matvontheis
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The Times is a pathetic oddball rag with some serious hate going on (the gay 'marriage' thing was just stunningly stupid and I'm betting even in nutball rightwing circles they were ridiculed for that), but sometimes their local coverage is considerably better than Posts'.
Wow. Did the Moonies toss in a huge chunk of change to launch all these projects? It seems almost like a do-or-die situation for the Times - try to compete with the Post's online presence or just hang it up and go home.
the Washington what?
It will forever live in the shadow of the Washington Post.
I have this feeling that Moon's given up on world news domination (and really, after you're crowned King of the World, do you need that kind of gravy?), and has given the WT management a year or so before he stops subsidizing that waste of trees.
Dead or acquired by Murdoch (same thing) within 24-36 months. Bet is a lunch at Ben's.
I would see using a certain candidate by their first name as more personal and helpful to distinguish them from a certain former President and not necessarily demeaning. Not that I wouldn't expect them to want to demean said candidate, but...
maybe if they can get out of underneath the moonie ownership the paper could actually find a niche, fill it, and succeed.
i don't read the times, but there's nothing wrong with some competition. it would be nice to see a paper to push the post to get better. and if, somehow, they could do a better job than the post, more power to them. god knows the news orgs in this city could always do better.