Mainstream Media

Froma Harrop’s Blog

By Carroll Andrew Morse | September 11, 2008 |

Did you know that Projo op-ed columnist Froma Harrop has her own blog, where you can learn about things like her libertarian streak (h/t Jack Fowler of National Review)…Froma Harrop is an independent voice on politics, economics and culture. Though often pigeonholed as “left of center,” she is widely known for her unconventional approach and…

On Sticking to Business, Two: Anthony DiBella

By Justin Katz | September 4, 2008 |

Edward Mazze errs by inadvertently opening the door for the insidious consequence of socialist drift, Anthony DiBella takes his latest Business section “commentary” to the threshold of the socialist view of humanity. The humble Mr. DiBella volunteers for the task of bringing sun-shiny days to the lives of Rhode Islanders: The governor’s idea to assemble…

On Sticking to Business, One: Edward Mazze

By Justin Katz | September 4, 2008 |

Sometimes the wisdom of allowing the Providence Journal Business section to indulge in “commentary” isn’t at all apparent. Edward Mazze, for example, did just fine, yesterday, until he transitioned from business and economic statistics to education with the following paragraph: Based on the number of elementary and secondary schools in a state with a little…

And What Tools We Are…

By Justin Katz | September 3, 2008 |

By the by, I want to thank Charles Bakst for including us in his “Toolbox for Political Junkies.” Ideological differences being what they are, he didn’t have to give us the even-handed plug. (N.B. — This post is not an excuse to bash Bakst in the comments.)

Conventional Wisdom

By Marc Comtois | August 27, 2008 |

Wow, conventions are BORING. I’m serious, whether it’s Dem or GOP. It’s all about preaching to the converted and talking points galore for a media obsessed with reporting on the spins and the spins of spins–and even trying to spin themselves–as well as the imagery, the pomp, the aesthetics, the show, the production, the message.…

DePetro Disappointment

By Marc Comtois | August 25, 2008 |

I’ve essentially been “off the grid” for a few days, and I know Justin has mentioned the WPRO ratings thing (and I offered a quick, tangential comment to that post), but what initially disappointed (and irked) me, and continues too, is this: “It’s embarrassing all the way around,” John DePetro, 44, said last night. “I…

The Media’s Side, and a Surplus of Senators

By Justin Katz | August 24, 2008 |

There’s something strikingly inappropriate about the Providence Journal’s top-of-the-front-page headline for this story: Biden adds foreign policy expertise to Obama ticket It’s arguably a factual statement, but it carries the strong subtext of: “Readers can stop worrying about those questions of Obama’s inexperience on such matters.” Reading on, a separate area of concern arises (emphasis…

One for 640

By Justin Katz | August 23, 2008 |

People apparently take radio show ratings seriously. I suppose that should be obvious, but especially on as anonymous a medium as radio waves transmitted indiscriminately over the air, I’ve never understood how anybody can state with confidence the number of listeners to any given show. That said, I’m a little bit surprised that the Arbitron…

Scott MacKay on the De-enhancement of Journalism

By Carroll Andrew Morse | August 21, 2008 |

As an active local blogger, departing Projo reporter Scott MacKay’s citation of the Projo’s decision to allow anonymous and largely-unmoderated commenting on the Projo’s news blogs as contributing to his decision to take his employer’s buyout offer, quoted by Ian Donnis at the Not for Nothing blog, naturally caught my eye. The two-deep quotes are…

Olympics More Popular

By Marc Comtois | August 15, 2008 |

Hm. Some are crediting NBC’s Olympic ratings success to the individual pursuits of swimmer Michael Phelps. There’s ratings data to back it up: For Phelps’ first gold medal – in the 400-meter individual medley – last Saturday night, NBC drew 24.4 million viewers; for his second gold, on Sunday, 33 million; Monday, 30.2 million; and…