Why do they still print The Observer?

mloc

Why do they still print The Observer?

I think student newspapers are great and very important for developing journalism skills. My point is, seeing as most media and indeed many newspapers are going online only, why doesn't the Observer go online only also?

It would save a ton on printing fees, save the monthly littering of campus with many, many unread copies of the paper and also prepare the staff more appropriately for a changing global press environment. It would also help them track their readership more accurately and provide scope for interactive content.

Telchak

I think more people would pick up a hard copy off the floor, for something to do when bored, than would actually go to the website when the entire internet is at their fingertips. it's too much of a light read, like any local Echo or People newspaper across the country =/

Blut2

When I was around Belfield more I used to always pick up a copy of the observer to keep in my bag to glance over when waiting for meetings, waiting for people to meet for lunch etc and always quite enjoyed it. I dont think I'd ever decide to read it online though, theres so many other things to do on the internet. Id imagine quite a lot of their readership fits this "bored student sitting around waiting for things" criteria.

Ruski

Crosswords and sudoku online would suck.

keepkeyyellow

You can't single out the Observer, you have to complain about the Tribune too if you want this thread to continue.

Mardy Bum

keepkeyyellow wrote: »

You can't single out the Observer, you have to complain about the Tribune too if you want this thread to continue.

I don't think the tribune gets anywhere near the funding the Observer does.

Fad

Mardy Bum wrote: »

I don't think the tribune gets anywhere near the funding the Observer does.

Doesn't get funded by the SU, the Observer does.

The Tribune can still apply for some grants afaik.

Doesn't make it any less of an apparent waste of space and paper.

Mardy Bum

Fad wrote: »

Doesn't get funded by the SU, the Observer does.

The Tribune can still apply for some grants afaik.

Doesn't make it any less of an apparent waste of space and paper.

Yes but it isn't really our business what it does if it is not using our money to do so.

keepkeyyellow

Student media has an important role to play in college life. UCD doesn't offer a journalism course and both the Observer and the Tribune have facilitated the growth of some of our country's top journalists. Also the Observer's budget has been cut in recent years and revenue is also brought in through advertising I don't see it as much of an issue.

mloc

keepkeyyellow wrote: »

Also the Observer's budget has been cut in recent years and revenue is also brought in through advertising I don't see it as much of an issue.

I would like to see a cost-benefit analysis of it, and how much it brings in.

I think it's a great idea, I just see no reason for it to actually be printed. If people only read it because it's littering the area then that poses a question about the quality of the paper. If it's good enough, people will read it online.

Mardy Bum

keepkeyyellow wrote: »

Also the Observer's budget has been cut in recent years and revenue is also brought in through advertising I don't see it as much of an issue.

The budget is like €50000. Substantial enough, I'd say.

parker kent

mloc wrote: »

I would like to see a cost-benefit analysis of it, and how much it brings in.

I think it's a great idea, I just see no reason for it to actually be printed. If people only read it because it's littering the area then that poses a question about the quality of the paper. If it's good enough, people will read it online.

How many students read The Guardian online or the Irish Times? They are obviously good enough, but they would not be the most popular websites of choice for students. The Observer is one of the better things to come from SU funding.

El Siglo

They're both shite papers, absolute waste of trees. Either send around an email once a week/fortnight about **** that's going on, that'll do the job and for a fraction of the cost.

Fad

El Siglo wrote: »

They're both shite papers, absolute waste of trees. Either send around an email once a week/fortnight about **** that's going on, that'll do the job and for a fraction of the cost.

Why do you think they're shíte?

El Siglo

Fad wrote: »

Why do you think they're shíte?

Poor spelling, double spaced, lots of trumpeted opinions, waffle etc... The observer annoys me even more so because there's no way it can justify the 50 grand it receives. That money could be used for something more useful, like paying for the health centre, instead it's wasted on the hack pseudo-journalism of the observer.

Raphael

Here's a suggestion to the people in this thread: One of you start a petition to have the University Observers funding revoked, on the grounds that the Tribune does just fine without it. Get enough people, it becomes a referendum, and if it's passed, that money can go somewhere more useful - or back to the students.

Or just complain about it on boards. Either works.

keepkeyyellow

OSI wrote: »

Which is used to pay the Editor and Deputy Editor no less..

Not a hope. If you knew how little they were getting for how much work they put in.

TimeToShine

Which is the one with the crossword? I can never find it and it really would help kill time in shít lectures.

The Agogo

TimeToShine wrote: »

Which is the one with the crossword? I can never find it and it really would help kill time in shít lectures.

I don't think either have a crossword

Lemme check

smk89

Mardy Bum wrote: »

The budget is like . Substantial enough, I'd say.

I wrote for them and got nights out: taxi, drink and food for free paid by them. Thats great and all but a €50000 bill is too much, the Tribute model of using advertising is more sustainable.

Also that €50000 could be better spent on the students, thats 50 students increased fees paid for after all.

muffinz

i like the paper - it kills time when im waiting for a lecture etc. And there are some pretty funny articles sometimes...

Riamfada

keepkeyyellow wrote: »

Not a hope. If you knew how little they were getting for how much work they put in.

450 an issue? Not too shabby.

Fad

Grimes wrote: »

450 an issue? Not too shabby.

If I were to work full time in a shop, assuming a shift is 7.5 hours*, and I'm being paid €8.65, I'd earn €324.38 a week.

Production is fortnightly, so €225 a week really isn't very much, and the editors are working about 12 out of the 14 days, and more than just 9 to 5. Also, deputy editor gets €50 less than the editor afaik.

*I work in a shop, I earn €8.65. A day shift is 8 hours, 7.5 + half hour break. (Night shift is also 8 hours, but you dont get a break, and get time + a tenth).

Riamfada

Fad wrote: »

If I were to work full time in a shop, assuming a shift is 7.5 hours*, and I'm being paid €8.65, I'd earn €324.38 a week.

Production is fortnightly, so €225 a week really isn't very much, and the editors are working about 12 out of the 14 days, and more than just 9 to 5. Also, deputy editor gets €50 less than the editor afaik.

*I work in a shop, I earn €8.65. A day shift is 8 hours, 7.5 + half hour break. (Night shift is also 8 hours, but you dont get a break, and get time + a tenth).

Well in all fairness they publish a forthnightly newspaper so there is no need for the editors of either paper to work 12 to 14 hours a day for 14 days in order to publish something that cannot compare to the daily papers in terms of breaking news & cutting edge journalism. The papers are a collection of short news stories compiled over 2 whole weeks followed by lots of opinion pieces that are prepared by students and emailed in.

In contrast I worked for Belfield Fm where we did 20 weeks straight of live programming 8am-10pm Mon-Fri with no breaks, now that was something in the commercial sector somone would get paid up to and over 80k to manage (25k in in other college stations). Belfield FM staff were paid alot less than the paper editors in contrast to work done.

You cant really compare being the editor of a college newspaper or manager of a college radio station to an actual job. Its just the same as being a paid auditor and we dont compare being an auditor to working in a shop.

The Agogo

It also serves as a de-facto record for this small location should anyone need to know historical accounts in the future.

errlloyd

El Siglo wrote: »

They're both shite papers, absolute waste of trees. Either send around an email once a week/fortnight about **** that's going on, that'll do the job and for a fraction of the cost.

Hey sligo I know you've been out for a couple years, I can't comment on what it was like back in the day, but I have heard a lot of final years talk about a recent massive increase in quality of the tribune in particular.

mloc

"Coca Cola still available on campus despite Britvic deal" is the current front page headline.

I think that speaks for itself.

alwaysanon

mloc wrote: »

"Coca Cola still available on campus despite Britvic deal" is the current front page headline.

I think that speaks for itself.

Call me stupid, but I can't see what's wrong with that?!

WeeBushy

alwaysanon wrote: »

Call me stupid, but I can't see what's wrong with that?!

The reason its there? Stock that was bought before the deal is being used up.

Hardly front page material.

Riamfada

WeeBushy wrote: »

Hardly front page material.

In all fairness its a bit of a silly season. Its not like the country is falling apart and fees are on the brink of coming in and the presidents of USI and UCDSU are Fianna Fail hacks.

/sarcasm

mloc

Paying that much a year to know that if I walk to certain fridges on campus I'll find a selection of soft drinks from more than one company?

Slash budget by 90% and go online only. If it works, great. If it doesn't, then it shows it was wasted money to begin with.

keepkeyyellow

Grimes wrote: »

In all fairness its a bit of a silly season. Its not like the country is falling apart and fees are on the brink of coming in and the presidents of USI and UCDSU are Fianna Fail hacks.

/sarcasm

All of that was talked about in the paper if you actually read it.

Riamfada

keepkeyyellow wrote: »

All of that was talked about in the paper if you actually read it.

Well Im glad the coke thing was on the front page, we wouldnt want to miss that.

Raphael

mloc wrote: »

Paying that much a year to know that if I walk to certain fridges on campus I'll find a selection of soft drinks from more than one company?

Slash budget by 90% and go online only. If it works, great. If it doesn't, then it shows it was wasted money to begin with.

Why cut the print run if you're slashing the budget? Tribune prints just as often, just as high quality, without the budget. If they can't produce the same quality paper as them without being given 50k (i believe it was 50k), I don't feel they should be making a paper at all.


Edit: So, question, are any class reps reading this thread? If so, I'd appreciate if you could get in touch with me, I've decided to try to make a referendum about removing the University Observer from the Union and therefore taking away it's funding happen. And if it gets to council I won't need to get 900 signatures on a petition.

mloc

Raphael wrote: »

Why cut the print run if you're slashing the budget? Tribune prints just as often, just as high quality, without the budget. If they can't produce the same quality paper as them without being given 50k (i believe it was 50k), I don't feel they should be making a paper at all.


Edit: So, question, are any class reps reading this thread? If so, I'd appreciate if you could get in touch with me, I've decided to try to make a referendum about removing the University Observer from the Union and therefore taking away it's funding happen. And if it gets to council I won't need to get 900 signatures on a petition.

That's a fair point; if they can print it without SU money, great. I'd sign the petition if needs be.

Raphael

mloc wrote: »

That's a fair point; if they can print it without SU money, great. I'd sign the petition if needs be.

May not be neccessary, I've gotten in touch with my class reps who are prepared to bring it to council Tuesday the 30th. They're going to write it up in the proper language and get back to me.

The system works.

keepkeyyellow

This is absolutely ridiculous. Even if it comes to a referendum it'll never be passed.

parker kent

Of all the things SU related, the Observer is probably the last thing I would call a referendum over. It actually contributes to UCD. I agree with the poster above in that it is a pretty ridiculous thing to waste a referendum on.

mloc

I think it's a step in the right direction; the SU will have to make cuts and I think the bloated Observer budget is a prime example of where to begin.

Raphael

parker kent wrote: »

Of all the things SU related, the Observer is probably the last thing I would call a referendum over. It actually contributes to UCD. I agree with the poster above in that it is a pretty ridiculous thing to waste a referendum on.

Well what would you then? And why not talk to your class rep about making it happen, or circulate a petition.

parker kent

Raphael wrote: »

Well what would you then? And why not talk to your class rep about making it happen, or circulate a petition.

Think it is pretty obvious, I would not have the referendum!

Though my graduation ceremony is in a few weeks so it doesn't really bother me any more anyway :pac:

Raphael

I meant what would you call a referendum on.

Hi Everyone

I think it is important to point out that the 50,000EUR allocated to the observer does not include the salaries of the three paid members of staff.

The editor get paid 450, and the deputy editor and the designer get 400 per issue each ... times tweleve issues.

The observer costs the union, realistically in the region of 70,000EUR a year. which is ridiculous as they also take in potentially over 1,000 euro in each issue with ads.

The triibune, comes out just as often, and only gets money from ads.....

and the tribune, this year anyway, is the superior paper.!

parker kent

The issues that I have with the SU are not really suitable for referendums. But basically expensive training trips for class reps, 40 grand a year on elections that are ignored by a massive majority of students, the wasteful perks given to sabbatical officers and most of the functions of Ents are items that I think are much bigger issues than a newspaper which actually contributes to UCD.

You mentioned Belfield FM before in relation to the funding for The Observer, but I imagine that the vast majority of students don't even know it exists. Nor can it ever really compete with actual radio stations. I would have to sit down and go through the SU accounts (which I can't be bothered doing now that I'm finished in UCD as a student) to come up with a proper list of what is wasteful or unnecessary.

Edit: The Observer could definitely cut costs, but I would not go to lengths of having a referendum on eliminating their funding. It could definitely do with some changes though. But it is a useful contributor to UCD and I have always felt it is superior to the Tribune.

Hi Everyone

parker kent wrote: »

d I have always felt it is superior to the Tribune.

I always felt the same, however I think most student would agree that of late the Tribune has surpassed the observer in content and quality. ...... the country is falling apart, students are going to take a big hit.... and the observers front page this week was about cans of coke.

Fad

Hi Everyone wrote: »

I always felt the same, however I think most student would agree that of late the Tribune has surpassed the observer in content and quality. ...... the country is falling apart, students are going to take a big hit.... and the observers front page this week was about cans of coke.

It's a University Paper..... it provides news about the University.....

Tribune is better? Bollocks, whatever my position with the Observer is, the week after one of the lawsoc events being cancelled there was at least three stories centred on that ONE issue. I've seen old copies of the Tribune online, it was much better back then, better written, better layout and so on.....

Riamfada

They are both cack

Fad

Grimes wrote: »

They are both cack

Belfield FM is shíte.

Check mate.

alwaysanon

Hi Everyone wrote: »

I always felt the same, however I think most student would agree that of late the Tribune has surpassed the observer in content and quality. ...... the country is falling apart, students are going to take a big hit.... and the observers front page this week was about cans of coke.

But it supposed to be a UCD media outlet; local UCD news, not national student news

alwaysanon

alwaysanon wrote: »

But it supposed to be a UCD media outlet; local UCD news, not national student news

I forgot to mention also, that I don't think you realise the enormity of the Coke thing in relation to the Britvic deal

Hi Everyone

Fad wrote: »

It's a University Paper..... it provides news about the University.....

Tribune is better? Bollocks, whatever my position with the Observer is, the week after one of the lawsoc events being cancelled there was at least three stories centred on that ONE issue. I've seen old copies of the Tribune online, it was much better back then, better written, better layout and so on.....

Observer is Propaganda