AOL is muscling its way into online journalism. Be afraid.
July 11, 2001 2:24 PM   Subscribe

AOL is muscling its way into online journalism. Be afraid. "If AOL's version of news delivery is indicative of the future of online journalism, then the future looks mighty grim. No other legitimate news organization relies so heavily on celebrity-oriented drivel and trifling service pieces." [via ken layne]
posted by owillis (10 comments total)
 
Steve Case ... once peddled sham poo

Like, y'know, plastic dog turds.

No it's serious, I know. I'm not finished reading yet.
posted by Grangousier at 2:35 PM on July 11, 2001


Hey, MeFi relies heavily on celebrity-oriented drivel too!
posted by rschram at 2:53 PM on July 11, 2001


this isn't the best-written article I've ever read. it makes a dubious claim or two:

"And, of course, there is the sheer number of eyeballs at stake, over a quarter of them belong to "newbies" with less than one year's experience online, who are most apt to use e-commerce."

huh? I thought more experienced users were more apt to buy things online. sure, I could be wrong about that, I would have liked to see a reference to the study that made that a "fact".

the overall thrust of the article is important, though. I just wish it were better written.
posted by rebeccablood at 3:12 PM on July 11, 2001


At least a good argument for in-article hyperlinks, huh?
posted by owillis at 3:14 PM on July 11, 2001


just have to note, ken layne is one of my few remaining daily visits...he is the real Spider Jerusalem. But with hair.
posted by th3ph17 at 3:34 PM on July 11, 2001


I am hoping that a solid news person from CNN or Time Inc. (the magazine publishing unit) will be taking over the news functions of the America Online network and AOL.com.

There is (guarded) reason for optimism, as CNN just got as its head Walter Isaacson, a quite well-respect newsy from Time Inc., and the next-to-last head of CNN was Tom Johnson, also a well-respected guy from the print journalism world (he was publisher of the LA Times and, I think, President of Times Mirror).

However, Isaacson now reports to Jamie Kellner, who supervises both the CNN networks and the WB (synergy, Buffy?) and Johnson was appointed by the pre-takeover Turner regime, and there are very few of those people left with any influence in the AOL Time Warner upper management ranks, so maybe even guarded optimism is undue.
posted by MattD at 3:35 PM on July 11, 2001


Layne also runs a good Los Angeles newsblog
posted by owillis at 4:47 PM on July 11, 2001


In sorta-related news, I got this in my inbox yesterday about the LOL Time Warner aquisition and demise of the editorial team of business2...

"...In early June, AOL Time Warner purchased Business 2.0 for $68 million and announced plans to merge it with Ecompany Now, its monthly magazine for the networked economy. In many ways, it was flattering that one of the largest media organizations in the world wanted to purchase a publication that was only in its second year of business. But as a friend of mine in the M&A business says, there are no mergers, only acquisitions, and this sale has proven to be just that.

For business reasons, AOL Time Warner is bringing over only three of the 50-plus member editorial team that created the Business 2.0 brand. The majority of the talent that produced the magazine and Website for the past three years is moving on..."
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:14 PM on July 11, 2001


"LOL Time Warner"

LOL!

it's so apt....
posted by rebeccablood at 6:22 PM on July 11, 2001


Compuserve (owned by AOL) has headed this route in the last couple of months. The "Note from the Editor" has always had "non-News", specifically a lot of fundamentalist-Christian related news (viewed in a good light, for those wondering). However, a glance today shows "Boy Slips into Coma Following Shark Attack" as the lead, with "Actress Barrymore, Green, Finally Wed" and "Oddly Enough" as 2 of the other top choices for "National News". "Eww...Porcupine for Dinner?" also makes a frontpage appearance.

Hopefully most Compuserve users know the address of the IHT.
posted by Kevs at 10:16 PM on July 11, 2001


« Older Hot diggity dog!   |   I can't believe that no one has posted this oldie... Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments