After a decade, the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication has suspended publication of OJR.
One of OJR’s goals over the years has been to help mid-career journalists make a successful transition from other media to online reporting and production. I’m pleased to say that USC Annenberg will continue to provide support in that area, through the Knight Digital Media Center. I encourage OJR readers to click over to the KDMC website and its blogs, if you are not already a regular reader there.
The decision to suspend OJR for now means that I have left the University of Southern California. But I am not going offline. I will continue to write, daily, about new media and journalism at my new website, SensibleTalk.com. I hope that many of you will click over and visit me there.
Finally, on behalf of OJR, I want to thank you. Thank you for your readership, tips, corrections, kind words and support. And I want to wish you success as you work to build engaging, informative and sustainable websites, to better serve your audiences.
So… in that spirit, I suppose that I will borrow a classic sign-off from the world of journalism, one that’s been borrowed by another recently:
Good night, and good luck.
About Robert Niles
Im sorry to hear that but I will be checking out those sites in future. Thanks for some good reading in the past.
Well said, Robert.
I have recommended your words of wisdom to many over the years. And will definitely follow you to your new home in cyberspace.
All the best.
REG CROWDER
Freelance Business Journalist
London, UK & Brittany, France
http://www.RegCrowder.com
http://www.journalistdirectory.com/journalist/TgTQ/REG-CROWDER
So long, OJR. You will be missed! From the very beginning, you covered digital journalism issues better than any one else out there.
TTFN
Travis
Robert,
You and OJR have provided thoughtful analysis and raised provocative questions. The commentary and discussion have helped me think through challenging issues and do my job better. Thank you. I’ll miss this site and will follow you over at SensibleTalk.
Ari Soglin
Robert,
You have been a great deal of help for many of us. Shame to see you go!
Your work has value–keep it up!
Ed Maurer
http://canoesailingmagazine.com
Robert,
Thanks for all the excellent work over the years. I’ve used your articles for both work and inspiration on many occasions.
[Patrick Beeson/patrickbeeson.com]
Sorry to hear, Robert. The archives will stay up, right?
-Joe
As a former OJR staffer and occasional contributor, I’m saddened by this news. I have always thought of OJR as a sort of “paper of record” for online journalism, a consistent and thoughtful chronicle of trends in the field.
Robert: Nice work. It’s been great to watch the progress over the last few years. Best of luck to you.
-E
I won’t sign off but I have to, because you are going to… your life! I’m a very beginner in those things, even in freelance journalism… Now, I have to be a “pro”… Ok, so long and good luck
Thanks for all the insight, thoughts and articles over the years – very much appreciated. All the best with your new venture.
Graham Holliday
Frontline Club
http://www.fromthefrontline.co.uk
Thanks for being here, for your awesome energy and wide range of interest. You and the site will be missed.
Thanks for all your hard work, Robert. OJR was a great, great resource for our industry. I hope Annenberg, at the least, will keep the archives live on this site.
Sincerely,
Will Sullivan
Journerdism.com
Great job here over the years. Looking forward to the new venture.
Robert, thank you so much for great job you have done for all of us online journalists on OJR, and – see you at SensibleTalk.com !
Mario Profaca
in just a click away Croatia, Europe
mprofaca.cro.net
Thank you so much Robert for your work at OJR! and good luck with your new site 🙂
I am very sad to hear that USC is not as serious about quality journalism as I thought. I wish you the best in your endeavours and I will be visiting the other sites your mentioned from now on.
Cheers!
Good luck! As a new participant in the global journalism community, the OJR has been an invaluable resource. Will miss this site, but an ending is just an opportunity for a new beginning.
Shafqat
Cofounder NewsCred
I have contributed a couple of pieces to the Review and have enjoyed working with Robert and previous editors. I have of course found many published articles to valuable, and the Review has in general lead in a number of areas of online publishing. I hope the site will be maintained online. And will follow Robert’s future activities with interest.
whaaat? I thought you just added resources to this site a few days ago? I’m very sad to hear this and really surprised. You were one of my favorite regular sites. I will definetly be checking back.
Robert, I’m really sorry to hear you won’t be running OJR anymore. It’s been a really great resource for all of us in digital media and journalism. Thanks for all your hard work, and best wishes for all your future endeavors.
Beth Lawton
Newspaper Association of America
Robert,
This was one of THE best sites for thoughtful discussion of newspapers and online publishing. You and your cohorts were thought-leaders in this space and you will be missed…except that I expect your new SensibleTalk.com will be the newest home for provocative ideas. I’ve already registered there and look forward to it.
John Wilpers
johnwilpers.wordpress.com
I got my start in professional journalism with OJR. The things I learned in that lab from Larry, Josh, Patrick, Susie and the rest almost a decade ago have stuck with me to this day. Thanks to everyone for caring about and training journalists for the 21st Century.
Ben Berkowitz
News Editor
AP Financial News
I’ll check out the other sites and, as an Annenberg Grad in the MA program (May 2001) and an avid blogger, I’m sorry to hear that the OJR won’t be published under Annenberg.
Don Simkovich
http://cashflowtipsbydon.blogspot.com
A pro in every sense of the word. I always enjoy reading Robert’s insights on his sites. Will follow you over to SensibleTalk! Site looks great!
Mike Reilley
Editor
The Journalist’s Toolbox
http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/toolbox
Working for Robert (and taking classes with him too) & writing and editing for OJR during my grad. program @ Annenberg — these were some of the defining experiences of my training as a journalist. I am so sorry to see Robert and OJR go. Thanks for all your hard work and commitment, Robert.
Robert,
It’s a shame USC has decided to shutter one of the best sites helping journalists navigate the transformation of our industry today. I guess the big question is… why? Best of luck in your future endeavors.
Robert, you’ve done terrific work here. I’m very sorry to see the OJR go. But I’ve already signed up for your new venture and look forward to watching your next steps!
Sorry to see this happen. I’m new to OJR and was just starting to get into it.
So does this mean the site is going to go down too? What is the future for OJR if any?
I can’t tell you how much the site has inspired and helped me. I’m so sorry to see it end. Thanks for all your hard work.
OJR was a standout in the field, influential in ways not necessarily observable at the source, and a valued voice in the field. I will miss it.
— Stephen Downes
Why?