Seattle Times chief political reporter David Postman is leaving the paper, and journalism, to take a “media relations” job with Paul Allen’s Vulcan, Inc. Huh. With so many journalists leaving the industry to take media relations jobs, pretty soon there won’t be any media left to have relations with.
Postman says he’ll have more on this later, and so will I, but as I mentioned on last night’s podcast I find the relatively sudden implosion of our state’s political media to be depressing and distressing. Postman should have been in Denver and St. Paul covering the conventions, instead of sitting at home blogging on the bloggers and sending out his resume. I’m not sure how the Times thinks it can stem its steadily declining revenues by producing less and less quality, original content… but they seem intent on trying.
Anyway, Postman may not believe it but I’ve always respected him and always thought he was one of the best in the business. (His editorial board, not so much.) He’ll be missed.
While it’s exciting and wonderful for you, this is a huge loss for the dignity of journalism and the depth of political coverage in our state. Postman, you have added integrity, thoughtful assessment and genuine conviction to our state’s public issues.
We all wish you the very, very best in your new endeavor. Congratulations and best wishes.
Reuven.
I thought it was Vulgarian, Inc. Vulcan, Inc. is not logical.
Remember when Ralph Reed was on retainer at MicroSoft? …for $20,000 a month. WOW! Now THAT’S some real countrified spiritual comfort.
It’s refreshing to know what idiots some of these billionnaires are.
re 1: Do the JETS send their congratulations, as well?
It’s a tremendous blow to journalism in this state. As I told Postman at his blog, while I only met him once, his work reveals a person of true integrity.
This is very much a shame. But I wish him all the best both personally and professionally.
Although I have only been here for five years, what I saw of Postman was an apologist for conservatism who never let the facts stand in the way of presenting his opinions.
The only reason I’d miss him is if his replacement were worse.
This, I guess, is Seattle’s political equivalent of mourning the passage of Patches the Klown — who will never hold a candle to Wallace Sneed.
He has not been writing much in depth original material for a long while –
I suspect they – at the Times – were sending messages to move on –
Why to big Corporate hack stuff $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Good all American motive
I admit I didn’t know who Postman was before he started blogging, but he made me realize that good journalists still existed in the traditional media. Unfortunately, that may not last much longer.
re 6: Whatever… Where were the ‘Watchdogs of Democracy’ when Joseph McCarthy was running rampant. Or when DDT was being sprayed on every plant in the country. Nowhere. With Neil Postman — the nowhere man.
I swear. Sometimes I think all your heads are as soft as a Peregrine Falcons egg in 1962.
I assume he’s leaving because Allen pays better than the union scale that Frank Blethen grudgingly agreed to after the last writers’ strike.
Well, unlike the politicians in Seattle, at least he will be honest about working for Vulcan.
this is an epic loss for journalism. in a few years, something like five political reporters have gone over to the dark side (howland, mak, thomas, postman and dave from the ap). what’s next? eric nalder doing pr for kcso?
Despite all this glum glum, isn;t this the way of the industry. They pay low, folks move up??
Howsoever
will there be a replacement?
As the political season just starts to heat up, and several key political reporters are pulled out of the game, you really have to ask some questions.
1. What was the last straw?
2. Did the owners ramp up their role as thought police, limiting content or vetoing subjects for coverage?
3. Is the creation of such a vacume in the local political reporting business entirely by accident?
4. Who is left with the will and standing to get folks like Rossi, Sutherland and Reichert to answer questions and follow up questions?