MediaWatch 18 July 08

There's a "new blog in town" --- Harry Knopp has taken the wraps off the new blog NYMediaGuide.com. It's a guide to New York state media and politics, with links to newspapers, TV stations, political columnists and blogs, current news items and much more. It's kind of like a Drudge Report just for the state of New York.

The publisher of the Washington Post says newspapers spend a great deal of time covering their own demise, according to the New York Observer.

FLASH: USA TODAY ad sales fell 27% in June...

Film and arts critics are being terminated at newspapers all across the nation, says the Raleigh News & Observer.

Where In The World Is... Rene Marsh... Sumi Somaskanda... Tom Mailey... Nicole Forige? Haven't heard! Have you?

Veteran WRGB/WABC/WTEN anchor Tracy Egan has left Channel 10's Northern Boulevard building, while Michele Smith left CBS6 to stay at home while she awaits the birth of her second child. Hubby Morgan Hook remains with the Governor's office.

On the radio dial, Fybush writes "There's not much new to report on the ongoing soap opera that is contract negotiations for Mike Francesa and Chris "Mad Dog" Russo at WFAN (660); the two are still on alternating vacations, though they did work together one day this past week."

Atlanta newspaper cutting staff by 200...

The Hollywood Reporter has laid off 12 employees, including 10 editorial employees, says Folio.

The price of the Wall Street Journal on the newsstand goes up from $1.50 to $2 on July 28, says Portfolio.

An anonymous Web site for staffers of the Tribune Co. unhappy with all the cuts and changes since Chicago real estate magnate Sam Zell took over, have their own Web site, Tell Zell.com. Its author is anonymous.

The Wall Street Journal is shedding 50 editing jobs, says Editor & Publisher.