SF Chronicle's Stages Of Google Grief Lead To Suggestion For Google To Just Buy Newspapers
from the follow-the-discussion dept
First off, before someone brings it up in the comments, I'll point out that the following post refers to the views of various columnists at the SF Chronicle, rather than any sort of discussion among those who have any real impact on the SF Chronicle's strategy. However, it is quite amusing to see the "stages of Google grief" showing up on the editorial pages of the struggling San Francisco newspaper who has had to rid itself of hundreds of reporters lately. Back in March, columnist David Lazarus (who apparently is no longer at the paper) vented his frustration about the internet by suggesting that newspapers get rid of free content entirely, with the goal of blocking off so-called moochers like Google News (despite the fact that, yes, Google News actually sends the Chronicle more readers). Then, in May came the bizarre suggestion on the SF Chron editorial pages that Google had a social or moral obligation to simply hand money over to newspapers. That got lots of people laughing, so now, yet another columnist at the Chron has adjusted the thinking to suggest that rather than just hand over money, Google should buy some newspapers, but then just leave them alone, noting that Google would probably make for a better newspaper boss than Rupert Murdoch. This seems to be sort of the full circle Google of thinking here. First, denial that Google is an opportunity to actually drive more business to newspapers. Then, anger at Google and a plan to block it off. Then there's the bargaining/begging phase where they suggest Google simply owes them money. Next comes depression (represented by all the layoffs) and finally acceptance that Google as a buyer could be the savior for newspapers.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Filed Under: newspapers, search engines
Companies: google, sf chronicle
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"Google is part of this whole Globilization MAAANNN"
Socialist douchebags.
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Spelling
"Fist off"
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Re: Spelling
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SF Chronicle's Problem
Make up your mind newspapers. Remember, those same reporters you pay to provide articles could easily put their own articles on-line themselves with their own ads and bypass you completely. Content is worth something, but it may not be the price you put on it. Google has given us a whole new way of thinking about the price of advertising......
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Nought to do with Google
When they throw some dead trees into your driveway there is very little competition for getting advertising in front of people that they will actually pick up and look at. But I can read 90% of the national and world coverage they offer elsewhere- at places like CNN that have video of what they can only tell me about secondhand. However, the Chronicle is probably the best paper focusing on their region, better than any national news source, so they should focus on being the leaders for any story that pops up in that area, and when that story is of national or international interest, they should be the ones using news aggregators to get that content out there.
What local newspapers need to do is become more local. How many national newspapers do we need? It's an economic inefficiency that is rightly being reduced. They are trying to be an aggregator and a local news source. That seems like a confused business model for a web site, even though it happens to make sense for dropping a physical paper at your door.
Anyway, relating this Google is just because they are the easiest example to point to of people making money off of internet advertising, but I don't think a significant percentage of that comes from google news. There aren't even any ads on that page!! The real story here is that the content you need for a physical paper is not equivalent to what you need for a website.
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Google is evil all around
Google, to be fair, has mooched or cheated everyone equally. They have their own mass transit system (why use and help grow public transit that ALREADY exists)? They have defaulted on their video service (you BOUGHT that video--oh that is Google speak for rent) -- here is some funny money to buy more crap from us. Oh healthcare industry has a problem -- just take MORE ads out with Google to state your case (remember that blog fiasco). Oh your Gmail account got hacked -- and that is our problem how exactly? And we are still in beta (forever).
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Re: Google is evil all around
Anyway, Gmail does have a good security record.
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Re: Google is evil all around
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Re: Google is evil all around
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Google is an Insane Asylum
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Re: Google is an Insane Asylum
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I wrote this stages of grief report
http://www.forrester.com/Research/Document/0,7211,36036,00.html
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Music and the web
Ergo, for really complex music there is still the money generating concert experience that will likely never go away.
Gary 7
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SF Chronicle's Stages Of Google Grief
Maychic
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What about an alternative to Google News
Or is it that the only thing that unites newspapers is their hatred for Google and they can't work out anything among themselves?
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