New York Times ‘Plantation’ Workers Invited to the Independent Wilds

Posted on Jan 10, 2012

Peter Dutton (CC-BY)

Independent journalist Russ Baker has invited the 561 New York Times employees and retirees who wrote a letter of “dismay” to their publisher to quit the establishment and join us free barbarians of the Internet. “Why not, in this new world, take a risk to create a better journalism, one not owned by rich people or corporations?” asks Baker.

The Times employees are frustrated because, just like at other newspapers across the country, management is asking the news grunts to bear the burden of collapsing revenue while showering managers with healthy bonuses and retirement packages.

Russ Baker:

Most of you are fine people—some are my friends—and many of you do great work, or at least the best you are able under certain constraints. But in the end you are on the plantation. You may petition your owner, as you have, but he’s got the upper hand. He certainly isn’t going to give up a lot so that you may keep your pension.

I understand you want to keep your job and your benefits. But does it really feel that good being on the corporate plantation?

Come join us. Ask the deep questions, write whatever you learn. No holds barred. Work in an outfit that takes itself a little less seriously—but takes the truth very seriously indeed.

Help us collect the people and the resources, and build a more perfect journalism.

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