Journalism Refugees

Journalism Refugees

The media industry is firing journalists. Newsrooms at the LA Times, the New York Times, and Boston Globe are swinging the axe. Companies are shelving magazines, and consolidating units. We are losing good journalists by the hundreds.

And with nearly all firms either trimming payroll or locked into hiring freezes, where will these talented journalists go? And then there are the thousands of journalism graduates and undergraduates lining up to enter the work force.

The Internet used to offer a life raft to displaced talent, but with ads cut everywhere, few dot-coms are hiring.

But could these massive lay-offs offer an opportunity for entrepreneurs to cash in on some cheap talent? I mean, why not start a new news site made up of young, talented, hungry refugees from the media wars. Wasn’t America largely built by the outcast of the old world who mixed their energy, creativity, and drive with the freedom and openness of America. And isn’t that just what the Internet offers — freedom, boundless resources, and little rules and biases.

Sure it would be a ton of work. But you could create a great publication with industry veterans all with the right ethics, experience, and sources. Maybe call it the Refugee Times or something.

All you need to do is find someone with anyone with some money left to advertise on your site, and then you’ll be off and running.

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