Other than this bright idea, your silliness about “Euro- styled tabloids” as the way to cleaner politics is absurd. Are you referring to Italy and their model government, perhaps? France’s, Germany’s, Austria’s and Hungary’s major papers are largely party organs, but they wouldn’t thank you for calling them tabloids. We in America have a different tradition of reporting where, historically, editors didn’t ask for messianic political fervor from prospective writers, or their political party, but the ability to answer the 5 W’s and depict facts as vivid, non-fiction stories. However, if you want to practice party politics “tabloid” journalism, there are plenty of niche papers to do that in.

You freakin’ nailed it Alan. Damn, that was good.

If only . . .

As a matter of fact, I was last a student in a journalism class at Columbia, taught by Fred Friendly, but I’m sure USC thanks you for the patronizing comment.

but you live in some leftist Wonderland if you think Joe Q Citizen is going out to his driveway to get a paper full of the unabashedly biased opinions of some other person.

That “leftist Wonderland” goes by the name of “Europe” where the press is identifiably partisan, and adults are treated as adults, capable of reading between the lines.

If LA had a Euro-styled tabloid, it would also have far cleaner politics. And if it had two, one on each side, politics would be cleaner still.

Now, is that an objective statement, based on sound reasoning, and analysis, or one based on you own personal bias?

The fact that you and Mr. M don’t even acknowledge a distinction between Opinion writers and journalists/ reporters (note the core words JOURNAL and REPORT, not opine or advocate), because “objectivity is merely ‘the subjectivity of the white male –’” aye – aye: Are they still teaching that drivel? — is precisely why the print media will surely fail if you guys have your shot at it. You admit that the newspaper business IS a business, and shrinking revenue and readership is not a good thing — but you live in some leftist Wonderland if you think Joe Q Citizen is going out to his driveway to get a paper full of the unabashedly biased opinions of some other person.

Sure, papers tilt lefts (NY Times) or right, but when they denounce even the pretense of “balance” and veer into open advocacy, they’re no longer the Mainstream Media.

That said, the managers of any business start to get gunshy when the business starts to shrink. The business has to take risks, reward the mavericks, the cowboys, to punch itself out of its stupor. Editors are like product managers, and the Times has a bunch of traumatized, gunshy editors who only see punishment, not reward, in taking any kind of chance. It’s a downward spiral and a no-win until the publisher and owner either change their ways or step aside.