Krugman Catches Up with the Rest of Us

[DaShi]

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/27/good-news-about-the-wsj/

Good News About The WSJ
Brad DeLong and Felix Salmon both point to evidence that the Murdoch effect is degrading the Journal’s news coverage. Indeed.

Frankly, there was a time when I thought the Journal was better on business/economic news than the Times. But no longer; and it’s not just things like referring to the estate tax as the “death tax” in news stories. Overall, coverage is getting cruder, with more tendency to report opinions as if they were news, and substitute prejudices for real analysis.

And this bad news is good news. There’s a pretty good chance that we will end up with only one great national newspaper. And I know which paper that should be …

[Drake Tungsten]

I'm shocked that Brad DeLong and Paul Krugman would agree that the WSJ has become too conservative.

There’s a pretty good chance that we will end up with only one great national newspaper. And I know which paper that should be …

... the Washington Post!

[DaShi]

[Drake Tungsten]

Good news! No one will read Krugman any more, starting next year.

Dept. Of Bad Ideas: NYT.com To Put Blogs Behind Paywall

[DaShi]

Bleh, I doubt it they will do it. Plus, their blogs are rarely that interesting.

[Theben]

I'm shocked that Brad DeLong and Paul Krugman would agree that the WSJ has become too conservative.

There’s a pretty good chance that we will end up with only one great national newspaper. And I know which paper that should be …

... the Washington Post!

I was going to say Salon.com.

[DanS]

I have my problems with the WSJ too. And coverage is uneven because it focuses on business. But it remains hands down the best national newspaper.

In fact, I would say that the lead has been widened rather substantially because the WSJ has been able to make money on its web version. The likes of the New York Times and the Washington Post have had to cut staff rather drastically.

[Drake Tungsten]

Salmon's criticism seemed valid, but it had little to do with the "Murdochization" that Krugman and DeLong are whining about.

[DaShi]

That would depend on what you mean by "Murdochization."

I have my problems with the WSJ too. And coverage is uneven because it focuses on business. But it remains hands down the best national newspaper.

In fact, I would say that the lead has been widened rather substantially because the WSJ has been able to make money on its web version. The likes of the New York Times and the Washington Post have had to cut staff rather drastically.

Here I'd ask how you define best in terms of a national newspaper?

[Elok]

I was going to say Salon.com.

Eh, we outsourced totally. We go to the Economist when we want actual news and analysis. WaPo is for the funnies and amusingly stupid letters to the editor.

[DanS]

While the New York Times is cutting content, the WSJ is adding content, such as a new New York-focused section.

I have to hand it to Murdoch. He bought the best newspaper worldwide for a pretty penny and is investing substantial additional funds to grow it, even during a tortuous downturn.

[DaShi]

Didn't you just say that?

[Jon Miller]

I have found the economist to be the most interesting recently.

JM

[DanS]

Didn't you just say that?

No

[DaShi]

Ok. Well, whenever you feel like it, you can answer my question. You know, you are free to join in on the conversation anytime.