NYT published a piece yesterday (registration req) entitled “A Sideline that Competes with a Byline,” about journalists’ increasing urge toward entrepreneurship. In the case of the story’s main character, Nina Munk, she felt the journalists’ temprament (skeptical, self doubting) made her a poor entrepreneur. I’m not sure I agree with that entirely, which is probably a good thing given I’m going to work for a journalist/entrepreneur. But one of the reasons I like FM’s model is that it supports entrepreneurial-minded journalists/writers by allowing them to be independent while focusing on the writing thing.
After reading this blog post’s title again, I realize that Jay Rosen’s NewAssignment.net idea (funded by Craig Newmark) might come to mind. I haven’t had the chance to fully grok that idea, but what I do find appealing is the role of professional journalists. (And not just becuase I’ve been a professional journalist myself.) It’s because reporting (especially muckraking and digging through public records) can be a time-consuming slog, and because writing does take a certain talent. (Believe me, I have edited stories that would have you scratching your head with lack of comprehension.) And having the editorial judgment to even recognize news is an acquired skill. Compensating people for those abilities, and their time spent applying them, makes sense. (Yes, Jason Calacanis, you’ve got a point.)