Golden: NAA meeting not a secret

Editor & Publisher reports that Michael Golden, vice chairman of The New York Times Co. and chief operating officer of The New York Times Regional Media Group, defended Thursday's Newspaper Association of America meeting in Chicago, saying there was nothing secretive about it.
From the article:
"The characterization in The Atlantic that this was a 'secret meeting' was inaccurate," Golden, who attended the event, told E&P Friday. "If it were secret, there wouldn't have been a sign on the door saying 'NAA meeting.' This was a meeting that had been planned for weeks -- you can't get these people together without planning it over a period of time."

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Top newspaper execs meet to discuss charging for online content

According to The Atlantic, the nation's top newspaper executives will be coming together to discuss charging for online content at a hotel near Chicago today.
The Models to Monetize Content meeting, said to be organized by Newspaper Association of America and led by Barbara Cohen, will reportedly include executives from Advance Publications, The Associated Press, E.W. Scripps, Freedom Communications Inc., Gannett, Hearst Newspapers, Lee Enterprises, McClatchy, MediaNews Group,The New York Times Co. and Philadelphia Media Holdings.

The decisions made at this meeting could indelibly change the face of the media landscape to come. While some journalists are cheering the prospect of being paid for online content, many readers are still uncertain of online content's value and the ability of newspapers to offer more worth beyond their print editions.
James Warren's perspective on the meeting and the industry as a whole is similar to that of many journalists' today-simultaneously cynical and optimistic. From the story:

Now, more than ever, is a time for creativity and nerve, not just hunkering down and crossing fingers that safe harbor will appear on the horizon. It's a wonderful and important product, vital to American communities. Unlike a lot of jobs, you can look yourself in the mirror and know you're doing some good. Many newsrooms remain filled with a sense of mission even amid the looming dread.

View the story here.

How do you feel about the meeting and charging for online content? Comment and let us know.

USA Today names new publisher, editor

Gannett on Tuesday announced that it was appointing David Hunke as the new publisher for USA Today, a position filled by Craig Moon until April 17, according to Editor & Publisher.

Craig Dubow, Gannett chairman, president and chief executive officer, made the announcements at the company’s annual shareholders meeting.
“Dave is a highly talented, multi-faceted leader, who drives excellence throughout his organization while making the tough business decisions. At the same time, he has the courage to be innovative and take chances. He is just the right person for USA TODAY at this juncture,” Dubow said in a statement. “I am thrilled he will be joining my executive team.”

It was also announced that John Hillkirk would be promoted to the top editor position at USA Today from his previous role as executive editor.
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