Craigstlist CEO answers newspaper accusations
Posted by Jean Yves Chainon on February 5, 2007 at 4:52 PM
Craigslist.com is regularly skewered by newspapers, for ‘stealing’ from them the ads destined to print – and not even charging for most of them. Craigslist’s CEO gives his own take.
In an unrelated interview with the Christian Science Monitor, Jim Buckmaster, CEO of Craigslist, rebuts accusations of ‘stealing’ from newspapers.
Newspapers have become "beholden to Wall Street," he says. "The primary focus is not necessarily on journalism; it's on maximizing revenue.”
Buckmaster reminds that most newspapers still make twice as much profit than most American businesses.
Unfortunately, there’s some truth to this.
"Anything that's taking money from newspaper chains in the long run may very well be the most healthy thing that can happen, as far as newspaper journalism is concerned," he concludes.
This is a more controversial statement, and would require more explanation from Buckmaster and surrounding context to really understand. Perhaps he is looking at a broader conception of “newspaper journalism” as a duty and ideal, and comparing it to the corporate face forced upon some big newspaper chains today?
Don’t forget these are the words from a CEO who, officially at least, cares more about his users than about maximizing profit. That might be what he reproaches newspapers today.
Source: Christian Science Monitor through I Want Media
Newspapers have become "beholden to Wall Street," he says. "The primary focus is not necessarily on journalism; it's on maximizing revenue.”
Buckmaster reminds that most newspapers still make twice as much profit than most American businesses.
Unfortunately, there’s some truth to this.
"Anything that's taking money from newspaper chains in the long run may very well be the most healthy thing that can happen, as far as newspaper journalism is concerned," he concludes.
This is a more controversial statement, and would require more explanation from Buckmaster and surrounding context to really understand. Perhaps he is looking at a broader conception of “newspaper journalism” as a duty and ideal, and comparing it to the corporate face forced upon some big newspaper chains today?
Don’t forget these are the words from a CEO who, officially at least, cares more about his users than about maximizing profit. That might be what he reproaches newspapers today.
Source: Christian Science Monitor through I Want Media
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Hi Jean Ives!
re: "Perhaps he is looking at a broader conception of “newspaper journalism” as a duty and ideal, and comparing it to the corporate face forced upon some big newspaper chains today? (Jim: "Anything that's taking money from newspaper chains in the long run may very well be the most healthy thing that can happen, as far as newspaper journalism is concerned")
perhaps you are reading too much into it.... perhaps it's just spin? (sound like easy PR to me: craigslist is NOT hurting newspaper journalism... in *fact*, we are helping them out!)
Delia
P.S. notice that he is not talking FACTS *at all*, just speculation... D.
Hi Delia,
Point taken. There was little context surrounding Him's quotes, so it could well have been an easy PR spin - it could also have been an intricate implication about today's newspapers...
Well... let's assume he actually meant it... so the newspapers are fat cats that need to go on a diet -- we are just doing them a favor by stealing their food! (or something like that...:). Sounds pretty unfounded to me... that what the newspapers need at a time when they face serious problems (which need plenty of money to be fixed) is... less money!
Delia
P.S. I'd have to track it down but I remember that at some point in the past Craig said that newspapers may need financial support from the government (I agree...); if that's the case it's hard to see how Jim's statements could be anything *but* silly PR... D.