Newspapers in 2020: Death of editors?

Steve,

As today's editor erodes -- as you describe -- I believe the brand equity of the individual reporter, or voice, will inversely rise.

At least in my personal world of editorial consumption and interaction, you and Businessweek are a perfect example of this. To me, the "Steve Baker" brand, is more targeted, relevant, familiar and trustworthy versus the Businessweek brand.

This is no criticism of Businessweek, which is a fine news brand, but all news brands will need to embrace and cultivate the singular people brands within, which are the true assets which resonate with other people.

It's no secret: brands are tremendously powerful, but people trust big institutions along with their brands less and less everyday. People increasingly look to other people like themselves for information, recommendations, comfort, reassurance and guidance on how to live life. The downfall of trust in big institutions is inherent in corporations, government, religious bodies, and...the news business.

I believe if we are in a long-term period of eroding trust in what's big and institutional, then we're bound to enter a period of intense consciousness and value over what's small. What's small is accessible, tangible and compatible with "us people."

I believe the investments and scale that big news brands achieve will remain important in 2020. However, they will need to reconcile with the eventual, dominant attribute called small.

Regardless, this period will bring tremendous opportunity for entrepreneurial, independent, innovative thinkers to shape what does become the news business. The big's monopoly on the the ability to shape the future of news -- or push the status quo -- is declining significantly.

- Max

Max, If the world does go smaller and more entrepreneurial, as you describe, those of us in this country will need some sort of national health care.

Shalom Steve,

Can anyone imagine a movie made without a director?

I've been both a writer and an editor for more than 25 years now and I do understand the value of editors. I've yet to meet a writer, myself included, who could not benefit from editing.

I notice that when really big writers enter that level where editors are more hands off, the writing suffers.

B'shalom,

Jeff

The one thing that bugs me about the publishing industry is the delay. I worked in publishing for a few months...industry type stuff...nothing major, but because writers often like to take their time or forget about due dates, more than half my time was wasted on making calls and sending e-mails REMINDING people to get things in.

"Algorithms, editing software and seach engines will handle much of the work."

Steve, I have to disagree with this one. The product of any machine-type editing will come out clunky. I think we still need those bastards...oops, I'm one of them (sometimes). Choosing which stories to run based on one's experience and knowledge of their audience is such an intuitive, human function. And they certainly can't guide the story development process. As one who is both editor and reporter, I still depend on others' judgments to help me do my job every day. No algorithm can do that.

Hey folks, I'm not saying that editors aren't important. I much prefer to read edited work, and my work benefits from editing. But editing will only occur where it's supported as part of business plan. The competitors--unedited writing, selections made by algorithms--are cheaper, usually not better. But they're cheaper and faster, and that counts for a lot.

What you are describing sounds like artificial intelligence. It is hard to encode a feeling for language into a computer program, an algorithm. Only humans have that feeling. Moreover, an editor has to do a lot more then just editing. He also functions as a gatekeeper for selecting news items.
Our company deals with web based publishing and has and editor application, CorrectVit. CorrectVit is already quite intelligent, but still a human brain is needed. Maybe in 2020 we won't need them anymore...but I doubt it.

I don't think editors will disappear, nor do I think newspapers will end up like blogs.

A few good lawsuits will convince media companies of the necessity of the necessity of editing.

The big media companies have the bucks to shape the news business, but they don't have the visionaries. As far as I'm concerned, the visionaries certainly aren't in the baby boom generation.

The sooner the boomers retire and let the succeeding generations take control, the sooner we'll see some real, positive change in the media. Until then, it will be more of the same.

Steve,

I am on the cusp of choosing between two business book publishers. One is making big promises that I will get an active editor like yours. The other is more low key about the editorial resources but they seem more honest. Tough to tell at this point, but I sure would like to have the same experience you are having

What's the best ways to judge at the offer stage what the reality behind the editorial support will be?

Is your book going to be in the 2008 catalogue?

Ann, I only have this one experience with a publisher, and mine might be different with even another editor at the same company. I don’t know. Early in this process, one of my colleagues who has written many books sat me down and gave me his version of the straight dope.
1) You’ll get no serious editing
2) You’ll have to market the book yourself
3) You’ll never get a single dollar past your advance
4) If any book even remotely resembling yours comes out, all support will evaporate, and it will barely be seen on bookstore shelves.

In my case, he’s clearly wrong about #1. I’m going through my third round of editing on the chapters. She makes suggestions and sends me big packets of marked-up copy. I work it, and send it back. I’m hoping that he’s wrong about #2 as well. We’ll see.

In any case, I would go with the more honest offer (unless it’s a lot less money), because the "less" honest one might just be telling you what they think you want to hear.

Yes, my book should be in the 2008 catalogue--ojala

The editing process supplies one irreplacable part of brand credibility: detachment. My former New Zealand colleagues (their web site is at nbr.co.nz) demonstrate this admirably. In the meantime, I'm just quietly sitting back watching market demand for my work both online and in print grow as each year passes.