"I think it would be fun to run a newspaper"

[sigma7]

In case you haven't been paying attention -- and really, why would you? -- the Santa Barbara News-Press got bought by heiress Wendy McCaw, billionaire by divorce, girlfriend of the newspaper's restaurant critic. The tale unfolds about as tragically for journalism and journalists as you can imagine, and you can read one of the best and colorful descriptions of the implosion here. It's a stirring portrait of true journalists fighting against and losing to the greatest incompetents in modern publishing.

But read quickly -- the author of the above linked story is being sued by McCaw. Not that the suit has any idea of winning, but it's a good example of someone for whom brute force is the only option of interacting with human beings.

I'm confident that, eventually, McCaw will abandon newspapering and journalism will reintegrate itself into Santa Barbara. But there's been too many careers destroyed in the process. Read that story, though, if only to feel better about your lot in life.

Edit: Also visit the Santa Barbara Independent and SavetheNewsPress.com, where they have "McCaw, Obey the Law" signs for order, which may also get you sued.

Comments

[solaine.livejournal.com]

Holy SHIT. That hurts my soul.

[wenchamok.livejournal.com]

I've been watching this disaster unfold (usually via Romanesko's column at Poynter) along the way. I hope all her lawsuits drain her of her money. What a bitch....

[motteditor.livejournal.com]

Huh. When you said the greatest incompetents in modern publishing, I got confused. I didn't see Tribune or Dennis FitzSimons anywhere.

I was daydreaming about being a billionaire and buying this paper the other day with a co-worker. It was odd how many layoffs we planned for the first day.

[kitblonde.livejournal.com]

Wow. I had no idea what was going on there. Thanks for calling that to our attention - as much bile as I have for Gannet and other such prefab news agencies, it's kinda chilling to see what individual ownership can do to a paper when it's in the hands of a madwoman.