By Amy Phan
The UNITY News Online

Looks like bloggers have one more reason to continue down the niche market path. The New York Times reported on a blogger whose site generates enough traffic to pull in a six-figure salary.

Arnold Kim’s blogging Web site Macrumors.com amasses more than 4.4 million people and 40 million views per month, according to the article.

Kim quit his day job earning close to the same amount—as a doctor—this month. A 14-month old daughter and a “lucrative” career in blogging made for an easy switch from medicine, according to the article.

Working at home and making the same kind of money kills two birds with one stone. One blog at a time. Write on.

What about yourself? Do you blog regularly? If you could be a full-time blogger, what would you write about?

About The WATERCOOLER: You know that Julia Roberts movie and song by Bonnie Raitt “Something To Talk About?” Well, The UNITY News Online staff will use The Watercooler blog to give you something to talk about. Feel free to leave comments and let us know what you’re talking about at UNITY this year. Click here for discussion guidelines.

By Amy Phan
The UNITY News Online

A long time ago — in this industry, that doesn’t actually mean a long time — there existed a position called the news ombudsman. Foregoing all of its Swedish history, the ombudsman (sometimes also referred to the readers’ representative or public editor) is a third-party individual who “handles complaints and attempts to find mutually satisfactory solutions,” according to the Organization of News Ombudsmen (ONO) website.

So, they’ve got the people’s back.

Sometimes the duties of the ombudsman causes tension in the newsroom, as the role calls for scrutinizing journalists’ accuracy, fairness, balance and good taste.

As important as this position is — like other positions in this industry — the news ombudsman is disappearing but not gone. As of the date of this posting, ONO only has 47 news organizations with registered ombudsmen as members. Yup, only 47 members worldwide. Despite small numbers, the role of an ombudsman is becoming increasingly necessary, says Chantal de la Rionda of National Public Radio’s Office of the Ombudsman.

“With some journalists not conducting the appropriate fact-checking before informing their audience, never has the role of the ombudsman been more important.”

De la Rionda explains that, for example, while the role of the Internet has changed the way citizen journalists deliver their stories to “create a more democratic atmosphere, the trade off is higher risk of inaccuracies and untruths.” Which one does the audience want: news that’s fast or news that’s accurate? It’s a fine balancing act, de la Rionda points out.

In her speech at the 2008 ONO Convention, ONO president Pam Platt, (who also works as the public editor for Louisville’s Courier-Journal), said that maintaining high standards is important “no matter the platform or the portal.”

As the first newspaper in the United States to establish an ombudsman, Platt has a lot of history to draw upon.

Her words are good advice which UNITY News could put to use. As we post these blogs, we too walk that fine line between immediate news and accuracy. What’s retractable and what’s irreversible?

Perhaps it doesn’t have to be an either/or dichotomy, but rather something that satisfies both needs — fast and accurate news, “no matter the platform or portal.”

As readers of this blog, what are your thoughts? Are functions such as reader comments enough of a check and balance to a blogger’s post?

By Dioni L. Wise
The UNITY News Online

A newspaper subscriber strikes back. A (Raleigh) News & Observer subscriber is suing the North Carolina-based newspaper for cutting staff and content in the paper.

Leah Friedman, News & Observer reporter, writes:

Keith Hempstead, a Durham lawyer, filed the suit last month in Wake Superior Court. He says he renewed his subscription in May just before the paper announced on June 16 the layoffs of 70 staff members and cuts in news pages.

The paper, he says, is now not worth what he signed up for and therefore the cuts breached the paper’s contract with him.

“Plaintiff alleges fraud in that the newspaper announced changes in the coverage after procuring renewals from Plaintiff and other subscribers,” Hempstead says in the complaint.

Have you experienced a similar display of discontent from a reader or viewer?

Quench your thirst for discussion and chat it up.

ABOUT “The WATERCOOLER: You know that Julia Roberts movie and song by Bonnie Raitt “Something To Talk About?” Well, The UNITY News Online will use “The Watercooler” to give *you* something to talk about. Topics will include happenings at the UNITY Convention and the news industry, in general. Feel free to leave comments. Please read our discussion guidelines before posting.

By Dioni L. Wise
The UNITY News Online

These five well-known journalists, along with many more, will attend UNITY to speak on or host panels. Check out the UNITY schedule of events to catch up with these newsmen and women.

1. Soledad O’Brien is an anchor and special correspondent for CNN: Special investigations Unit. She reports in-depth documentaries throughout the year, including the “Black in America: The Black Woman & Family” program that will air Wednesday at 9 p.m.
   
   CNN anchor Soledad O'Brien
2. You’ve probably seen Kevin Blackistone’s sports columns in Dallas Morning News or seen him spar with other reporters on ESPN’s show “Around the Horn.” The guy with the black-rimmed glasses knows a little about Chicago – he graduated from Northwestern in 1981 and wrote for The Chicago Reporter magazine.
   
   Dallas Morning News sports columnist Kevin Blackistone
3. Lakshmi Singh, a newscaster for NPR, has been part of NPR’s award-winning Newscast Unit since 2000. She has voiced everything from the plight of women living with HIV/Aids to a struggling Haitian government.
   
   NPR newscaster Lakshmi Singh
4. Carole Simpson has been a fixture at ABC News for nearly 26 years. She’s an Emmy Award-winning ABC News senior correspondent whose reports have appeared on “World News Tonight,” “Good Morning America,” “20/20,” and “Nightline.”
   
   ABC anchorwoman Carole Simpson
5. What can you say about Joe Grimm? Ask this recruiter anything, and chances are he’ll know the answer. The longtime (former) Detroit Free Press recruiting and development director has helped many tweak resumes and deal with newsroom politics. What does Grimm think about his popularity?: “I’m not famous. I’m not a journalist. I am a legend in my own mind.”
   
   Joe Grimm, longtime recruiting and development editor at Detroit Free Press

Here a few pictures from the Student Orientation and Student Welcome Reception on Sunday. It was a great opportunity for students to get to know their mentors, as well as networking with professionals.

The online team talks.

Web Deputy Lead Lita Beck talks with student Amy Phan.

Students have a roundtable discussion during the Student Orientaion on Sunday.

Student Projects Web Lead Michelle Johson, right, talks to her online team.

Student photographer Jarrad Henderson throws up the peace sign.

Waiting in the buffet line at the Student Welcome Reception. Journalist and food -- no one can keep those two apart.

Doug Mitchell, senior student projects leader, and Joe Grimm, former Detroit Free Press recruiter, are all smiles.