Monday morning quarterback

When you spend nearly 30 years in the same career and countless hours in newsroom meetings, it's easy to lose touch with the real world, with real people with real challenges.

At a party last night, I was the only journalist in a rather large group, an object of curiosity among people who had heard about, but were certainly disconnected to, the upheaval reporters, editors and publishers are enduring during these troubled economic times. I got a lot of questions about where we were heading, and I offered my views about the lack of leadership in an industry that is doing a horrible job marketing itself and running from its strengths. But the most fascinating - and somewhat depressing - discussions I had were with two mathematicians, trained engineers working for competing companies in Rancho Bernardo.

Both are highly intelligent, both have earned masters degrees in mathematics, and both have ample background in engineering and physics. One works for General Atomics, which describes itself as a firm that "offers research, development and consulting services to the nuclear industry, including nuclear energy production, defense and related applications." His counterpart works for Northrup Grumman, which describes itself as "a global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide."

Pretty heady stuff. Both have paid their dues, certainly. One served several years in the Navy before putting himself through UC San Diego, living on Macaroni and Cheese dinners before his breakthrough at Northrup Grumman.

And for both, the recession, the fall of newspapers and the hatchet job the current administration has done to our economy is more of an abstract. It doesn't really affect them, for their businesses are booming. With billions of dollars in government contracts, the last thing on their mind is job security.

As I listened to them describe the projects they were working on, including a laser based satellite system in its research and development stage, I felt, quite honestly, like an idiot. They deal with mathematical equations; I deal with whether there are too many commas in a sentence. They deal with developing systems that could ensure our very survival. I deal with Christmas tree recycling lists.

Am I being hard on myself? Certainly. But last night, for the first time in a long time, I began to wonder if I made the right career choice.

Hope springs eternal

As noted earlier, Sharon Heilbrunn will be leaving the Union-Tribune, and Friday is her last day. It's going to be a huge loss for the paper, and especially our readers. With Sharon's permission, I'm reprinting a note she sent to a group of current and former staffers.




At the end of this week, I will leave the U-T -- where I've worked since 2005, most recently as a general assignment Metro Staff Writer -- for a yearlong multimedia fellowship with KPBS, where I will learn to produce and report news across all platforms, including radio, television and online.

People thought the decision was an easy one. After all, the paper is/isn't being sold, print media is in trouble, multimedia is the way to go, etc. etc. etc.

But the truth is, it was an extremely hard choice. Let me explain why.

(First, some perspective: I'm under 30, I'm a journalism rookie, and I don't know a lot about the "old days.")

Here's the deal -- I love what I do. I know that's a cliche, but it's worth repeating. I'm under 30, and I love what I do. I know about the troubles of print journalism, but I think it's extremely vital to keep in mind that people in this industry still love what they do. Young people. Old people. Rookies. Veterans. I don't think that will die. We might not always love the way we're asked to do it, but the root of it -- reporting, telling stories, uncovering facts -- that, we love. I get to talk to people, to experience things, to figure out how to take a jumbled mess of notes and weave it into something measurable, something interesting. I still feel an adrenalin rush when I see my byline in the newspaper.

I didn't always love this. In fact, it took several editors and reporters to believe in me before I started loving what I do. Which brings me to my next point.

I love who I work with. (I have lots of love.)

My desk in the Mission Valley building faces editor Karin Winner's office, across from the long conference room. I know exactly where to walk to satiate my mood. If I need a little laugh, I'll turn around and head to the Sports Dept. to talk to the people over there for a while. There's always something quirky happening in that area. (Plus, they always have food.) If I want a little friendly conversation, I'll march over to the folks at the Photo Desk and SignOn, who always humor my "whatcha doing" questions when I need to clear my head. And If I just want to feel like I am part of something much bigger than myself, I'll sit at my desk and simply listen. Behind me, Jeff McDonald and Michael Stetz are engaged in a friendly banter. Across from me, Helen Gao is kicking butt, asking sources the kind of questions that make them sweat. And if I look to my right, my editor, David Ogul, is complaining about something and asking where my story is and eating M&M's by the handful.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

And when I sit with Mr. Ogul to edit one of my stories, I always get that same excited feeling when we finally file. I'm lucky, fortunate to have worked with such a fine editor, who took the time to not only nurture my writing and my hunger to stretch as a reporter, but also to get to know me and support my efforts. Alexa Capeloto, my former editor, did the same. I thank them, as well as the other gifted editors I've worked with at the U-T, who all have contributed to my growth.

The U-T is full of extremely talented people. I stand by that, because I've seen it and felt it and am proud to know it. Yes, it isn't perfect. But if I just take my little bubble and I look back on the last three years, (and especially the last six months), I'd like to believe that in my immediate surroundings -- when it's just me, the reporters around me and some fine editors doing our jobs -- the environment is much like it was 15, 20 years ago. Witty comments are still made. Hilarious stories are told. Reporters still look out for other reporters and lend a helping hand when necessary. We ask how their families are. We rally around a sick colleague as if it we were rallying around our 80-year old grandma. We look out for our own. We support one another. And we continue to love what we do.

I don't know much. I'm young, I'm sure many will think I'm naive, and yes, I probably am. A bit idealistic, I'm sure. But I do know that when I go to pack up my desk this week, it won't be without its share of sadness for what I am about to leave.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, even with its troubles, journalism still has its followers. The relationships and camaraderie built in newsrooms, that can only be cultivated by people who understand what it's like in the trenches, still inspire fledgling reporters. Young people are still attracted to the craft. Soon, it might not exist the way we know it, but I guess there has to be some kind of hope for an industry that still churns out people who love what they do.

The Ice Man Cometh

I was talking to a few friends today while on my daily run and the conversation quickly turned to ruminations about how long The Union-Tribune would continue to be a newspaper. One person said 3 years. Another said 5 or 10. Always the optimist, I said it would last as a newspaper for at least 20, and probably longer. Which got me to wondering: What do other folks in the business, or who have left the business, or who are contemplating entering the business, think about the future of newspapers? Send your thoughts to ogul59@hotmail.com and I'll post them in my next blog.

The Day After

Wow. What a week. E.W. Scripps announces it's putting the Rocky Mountain News up for sale (amid rumors it might shut the paper down), the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press are talking about cutting home delivery to three days a week and the Tribune Co. files for bankruptcy. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, employees of the Copley Press, owners of The San Diego Union-Tribune, are told contributions to the company's pension plan will cease Jan. 31. The latest development comes after the announcement that an editor and reporter are leaving the paper, yielding yet two more vacant desks in a newsroom some have likened to a scene in The Day After.

And we still don't know when we're going to hit bottom.

As for me, I'm popping open another bottle of Cabernet (Greg Norman, North Coast, 2006 - in case anyone's wondering what to get me for the holidays) and hoping this will all go away in the morning.

Resin up the bow

While I resin up the bow for Nearer, My God, to Thee, others are jumping onto the lifeboats. Last week it was Assistant Metro Editor Dani Dodge. Today, it was reporter Sharon Heilbrunn. It's hard to tell which hit is harder, but neither loss is easy to endure.

Dani came to the Union-Tribune a few years ago with a reputation as a spunky reporter from Ventura. It didn't take long for her to leave an impression in our newsroom. About a week after she got here, she headed to Mexico for a front-page feature on road racing in Baja. She also did some notable work under less-than-ideal conditions in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans before settling in as a downtown San Diego reporter. It was during her days as a downtown reporter that Dani worked with me, which is enough to drive anyone crazy. Instead, she thrived. A short time later, Dani was an editor, always willing to toil on the days others tried to avoid and never hesitant to take on a challenging assignment.

She's going to the San Diego Zoological Society and will most likely soon become the next Joan Embry.

Sharon, who also worked with me (maybe there's a connection here?), also came to us a few years ago, but as a news assistant with a bachelor's degree from San Diego State University. She worked in El Cajon under the tutelage of Assistant Metro Editor and rising star Alexa Capeloto and managed to get more than a few bylines in the paper. Sufficiently impressed, management promoted her to the rank of reporter just a few months ago, working for yours truly, where she continued to shine.

Sharon is a newspaper publisher's best friend. She's young, doesn't earn anywhere near enough to break the bank, but she produces, has all sorts of skills, and has pretty much mastered much of the new media that is threatening the very existence of many newspapers. She also loves her job and is a fine writer.

Sharon is taking a gig with KPBS in San Diego, where she'll learn even more about new media, radio and television under a grant underwritten by a nonprofit.

Unfortunately, Sharon and Dani won't be the last to leave. And if this keeps up, I may end up playing for an empty deck aboard the Titanic.

Go Cubs!

I'm no financial expert, but this would seem to rule out Sam Zell as a potential new owner of The San Diego Union-Tribune.

The New York Times (Dec. 7, 2008)
Tribune has hired bankruptcy advisers as the ailing newspaper company faces a potential bankruptcy filing, people briefed on the matter said.

The newspaper, which was taken private last year by billionaire investor Samuel Zell, has hired advisers including Lazard and Sidley Austin, one of its longtime law firms, these people said. Tribune has been hobbled by debt related to that sale last year, which has been compounded by the growing drought of advertising for newspapers.

It is only the latest — and biggest — sign of duress for the newspaper industry yet. Several newspaper companies have struggled to cope with declining revenues and mounting debt woes. Tribune has pared back the newsrooms of many of its papers, including The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Times and The Baltimore Sun, and it sold off Newsday to Cablevision’s Dolan family earlier this year.

While Tribune must contend with hefty interest payments over the next year, its most pressing problem is a maintenance covenant on some of its debt that limits the company’s borrowings to no more than nine times earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization.

Even if the company continues to make interest payments, failure to maintain that level of debt means technical default — which does not always lead to a bankruptcy filing. Other newspaper publishers have halted making interest payments on their debt, but have yet to file.

Tribune has sought to ameliorate its woes by selling off assets like the Chicago Cubs, the company still faces a looming debt crunch. Tribune hired Lazard several weeks ago to assess its options, these people said. Sidley Austin is a longtime outside adviser to Tribune, and it has a well-respected bankruptcy practice as well.

–Michael J. de la Merced, Richard Pérez-Peña and Andrew Ross Sorkin