By: E&P Staff More than 30 newspaper executives have flown home from the big CNN showcase earlier this week in Atlanta, after the TV news network pitched them on a new wire service. Now reports on reactions are starting to filter out.
Writing at a blog at his paper's site, Jack McElroy, editor of the News-Sentinel in Knoxville, Tenn., reflects:
"For years, CNN has operated an in-house wire to keep its many business units in sync on the latest news of the day. Knowing that newspapers are searching for ways to cut costs, the network has decided to tune up its wire and make it available to the ink-on-newsprint world at a discount price.
"The idea is intriguing. After salaries, 'news services' is the biggest category in my newsroom budget, by far. The bulk of that goes to The Associated Press. CNN insists it isn't looking to compete with the AP, though a recent New York Times story thought otherwise.
"But it's hard not to fantacize. If CNN's price turns out to be in the realm of other supplemental news services, the News Sentinel could add it, plus The New York Times news service, plus a major photo service, plus the Bloomberg financial services, plus a sports wire, plus at least five more reporters, and still come in way under what we spend on AP.
"I don't want to shortchange AP. It's an incredible organization with a long tradition of journalistic excellence. But I don't think it's a coincidence that I got word that it was cutting its rates -- somewhat -- the day before CNN began inviting editors to gather in Atlanta to hear its pitch."
More reactions to come--stay tuned.
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