Blogger Fatigue
Submitted by Al Diamon on Fri, 03/28/2008 - 5:29am.
T. Cushing Munjoy, the pseudonym used by the author of the blog Pressing the Herald (www.pressingtheherald.blogspot.com), caused a stir in local media circles on March 27, when he announced his "Final post of the Blethen era." Several people e-mailed me wondering if Munjoy was quitting his campaign of criticizing the Portland Press Herald, which is owned by the Blethen Maine Newspapers.
He's not.
But he's through with day-to-day critiques of the paper's efforts. Or lack thereof.
"I have an abiding interest in quality local journalism," Munjoy wrote, "and I started this blog last year to prod the people running the Press Herald to deliver a better newspaper - the kind of compelling daily newspaper that a great city like Portland deserves. They did the reverse. The quality of the PPH has diminished almost on a daily basis."
The Press Herald and Blethen's other Maine media properties are for sale. In an e-mail, Cushing promised to continue reporting on possible buyers and other developments, but said, "criticizing the product now is futile."
Cushing's daily commentary will be missed. His astute observations about where and how the Press Herald messed up provided constructive criticism that could have been applied to good effect not only on his prime target, but also to many of the rest of us in the Maine media.
When the new owners arrive, Press Herald readers can only hope they'll pay more attention to what Cushing has written and - I hope - will write.
Al Diamon can be e-mailed at aldiamon@herniahill.net.
T. Cushing Munjoy, the pseudonym used by the author of the blog Pressing the Herald (www.pressingtheherald.blogspot.com), caused a stir in local media circles on March 27, when he announced his "Final post of the Blethen era." Several people e-mailed me wondering if Munjoy was quitting his campaign of criticizing the Portland Press Herald, which is owned by the Blethen Maine Newspapers.
He's not.
But he's through with day-to-day critiques of the paper's efforts. Or lack thereof.
"I have an abiding interest in quality local journalism," Munjoy wrote, "and I started this blog last year to prod the people running the Press Herald to deliver a better newspaper - the kind of compelling daily newspaper that a great city like Portland deserves. They did the reverse. The quality of the PPH has diminished almost on a daily basis."
The Press Herald and Blethen's other Maine media properties are for sale. In an e-mail, Cushing promised to continue reporting on possible buyers and other developments, but said, "criticizing the product now is futile."
Cushing's daily commentary will be missed. His astute observations about where and how the Press Herald messed up provided constructive criticism that could have been applied to good effect not only on his prime target, but also to many of the rest of us in the Maine media.
When the new owners arrive, Press Herald readers can only hope they'll pay more attention to what Cushing has written and - I hope - will write.
Al Diamon can be e-mailed at aldiamon@herniahill.net.
The views expressed on this Web site are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily represent the views of Down East Enterprise or its employees.
