It began innocently enough. I was sitting in the Knight Conference Room of the American Press Institute in late October, listening to a roundtable discussion about the state of the newspaper industry at the Media Center's Founder's Conference. Someone mentioned the poor quality of beginning reporters. I could hold my tongue no longer. Like a fourth-grader with the right answer, I waved my hand around, trying to get the attention of Media Center Director Chris Feola.
Publishers are too cheap.
When I finished, the group looked at me and promptly went on to another topic. This was a real idea. Inside, you'll find my thoughts on the concept of the newspaper business tithing itself to promote research and development, training and education. I'm proposing that newspapers voluntarily donate one percent of annual net revenues, split evenly among the three areas. And investment it is.