Why the staff at ‘The Paper’ needs some Poynter Magic
OK, we’re going to have to start with the absolute basics.
The ragtag staff of ad sales reps, accountants and toilet paper pushers-turned journalists staffing “The Paper,” Peacock’s new spinoff of “The Office,” can’t see the forest for the trees, or a raging fire outside their own window. They need some serious help if they are going to provide news for the fictional Toledo Truth Teller at the heart of the show, which dropped Sept. 4.
Lucky for them, Poynter is here to help. For the last 50 years, we’ve trained thousands of reporters in essential skills. We’ve helped green new managers navigate conflict and lead effective teams. We’ve worked with struggling news organizations on strategies to make their operations more sustainable.
But, yeah, OK, even we admit this is a challenge. The TTT is a mess, with an idealistic but misguided editor who has spent most of his career selling toilet paper for the paper’s owner, a former Stars and Stripes reporter who is the only one with any journalism chops, and a group of colorful bystanders who are, politely put, ethically challenged and clueless.
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