"I think the Examiner represents a new model of newspapering that really reflects how people want their papers organized, what sort of content they want and how they want [the papers] delivered," Smith said.

Smith also added that he “looked at life as an adventure,” implying that the new venture is far from being risk-free.

Many dailies nowadays, as symbolized by the Boston Globe shutting down its foreign bureaus, are cutting down costs on their foreign and Washington bureaus, in order to focus more on online editions and hyper-local coverage. They believe they can get general international and White House information through newswires.

While this strategy may be more economically viable, it does differ with the initial ambitions of many journalists, who enrolled for active reporting.

"He was very candid about feeling somewhat uncomfortable with the new directions we're going in," said Chronicle blogger and columnist Julie Mason. "He's more of a traditional newsman."

Is this really a difference between traditional newsmen and modern businessmen? Or is this the difference between those who stick to an old model of newspapering, cutting costs feverishly and reminiscing past 20% margins, and those who are willing to take risks, in order to adapt to the changing newspaper industry?

Smith is one of the journalists in the second category, who is taking a risk because he believes in an ideal of reporting and journalism.

The Washington Examiner was started in 2005 by billionaire Philip F. Anschutz, who had bought the San Francisco Examiner the previous year. The Washington Examiner runs at 260,000 copies a day, 206,000 of which are freely distributed to select homes in the Washington area.

Smith will start his job at the Examiner on Feb. 5.

Source: Washington Post