New President = New Coverage, New Sections, New Interest in Black Publications

Something told me that Washington, DC newspapers were about to get way more interesting once Barack Obama was sworn in as president. I didn’t even think that black publications and networks would turn their focus to politics, but, duh, the country’s first black president is a big deal to say the least. Black publications are getting officially Obama-fied for 2009, with new reporters covering the White House full-time, new Washington reports, etc. My family had subscriptions to Essence and Ebony back in the ’90s, but cancelled them as the publications grew stagnant to my household. I might actually have to start subscribing to both magazines again…

From Nia-Malika Henderson’s Politico story:

Barack Obama’s election as president is prompting major changes in the nation’s black press, ushering in a series of firsts that editors say will reshape print, Internet, radio and television coverage aimed at African-American audiences.

Essence, the top-selling magazine among black women, will have a full-time White House reporter for the first time. Ebony magazine will add a White House reporter, either full time or as needed. Its sister publication, Jet magazine, will have a weekly two-page Washington report in every issue.

Read the rest of the story here.

Mopwater will return in full swing on January 5, 2009. Have a safe and happy New Year!

Here at the ASW/Mopwater HQ, we’ve been overwhelmed with your interest over the past month or so. What was conceived somewhat on the spot when my instincts told me that I should blog, has evolved into what I hope will be a great resource for you. But I can’t do this if you don’t read (and comment!) This is supposed to be a conversation, so let me know what’s on your mind!

From my family to yours, Happy Holidays. Thank you for being a part of our great year.

In case you missed it, you can view the December 2008  newsletter here.

Do you have an idea for a Mopwater story? Did you just read an amazing article or blog post or tweet that we should link to in our “Social Media and the Media” section?  Did you pick up the paper and see some media news that ought to be shared?

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From the New York Times story Big News in Washington But Far Fewer to Cover It:

“The times may be news-rich, but newspapers are cash-poor, facing their direst financial straits since the Great Depression…Racing to cut costs as they lose revenue, most have decided that their future lies in local news, not national or international events.”

Crazy that such an amazing  time in our nation’s history will suffer from less media coverage as papers close Washington Bureaus. Seems so wrong, especially considering how “well-covered” our outgoing President was. I feel like pouting and throwing a mini-tantrum. I want my Obama news!

But what we lose as media consumers and voyeurs, we gain as business owners and publicists. If you’ve been trying to get coverage in your local markets, seems like a great time to get to know your local reporters, their beats and how they like their pitches. Go on and make that lemonade.

Meet the Press just announced that David Gregory will be the new host, following Tim Russert’s untimely death this past summer.  I talked it over with my husband, Marc Littlejohn, who follows politics and political journalism far more intently than I do. This is what he told me:

“David Gregory is one of the best journalists out there. He’s the most objective, and at his age he’s very experienced. He’s very astute;knowledgeable on everything as it relates to politics. He’s always unbiased in his reporting, he’s not fawning all over people. He’s not afraid to ask tough questions. He’s fair. And he represents the younger generation.

I think Tim Russert would be proud.”

So there you have it. DG  will be our new Sunday morning messenger, leading the historic weekly broadcast at a truly historic time in our nation’s politics and culture.  Looking forward to tuning in.