A story in the Vancouver alt-weekly that exposed pharmaceutical companies' marketing tactics to persuade physicians to prescribe drugs has been named the top magazine article of the year by the Canadian Association of Journalists. Alex Roslin's story, "Pill Pushers," is also a finalist in the National Magazine Awards, along with several other pieces from the Straight. The alt-weekly has also been nominated for five Western Magazine Awards.

Continue ReadingGeorgia Straight Honored with National Journalism Award

When the Times announced this week that it was moving food critic Frank Bruni to a new assignment writing for the Times Magazine, foodies immediately began speculating as to whom the paper would replace him with. The Associated Press says LA Weekly's Pulitzer-winning critic Jonathan Gold is one of the "obvious contenders," while Eater has him as a "dark horse," with 250-1 odds. Eater also pegs Village Voice critic Robert Sietsema an "underdog," giving him 1000-1 odds. Meanwhile, the Times staffer who will lead the search says she hasn't started thinking about who will be named for what the AP calls "what's widely considered the most important restaurant critic job in the country."

Continue ReadingWill the New York Times’ Next Food Critic Come from an Alt-Weekly?

At a panel discussion earlier this month at the 92nd Street Y in New York, Tony Ortega talked about web publishing and the print media industry, along with Voice publisher Michael Cohen, Gothamist publisher Jake Dobkin and Alana Taylor of Mashable.com. While noting that, like most papers, the Voice is struggling to do more with less right now, Ortega says the product isn't the problem. "Newspapers have never been more popular in their history," he says. "It's just that our advertisers have no money to spend."

Continue ReadingVillage Voice Editor: Industry Woes are a ‘Business Model Crisis’

Brad Tyer, the Observer's managing editor, is one of 19 journalists selected for the prestigious Knight-Wallace Fellowship at the University of Michigan for the upcoming academic year. He will focus on environmental justice issues. Each fellow receives a stipend of $70,000, supported by gifts from foundations, news organizations and individuals.

Continue ReadingTexas Observer Editor Named Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellow

A report by the Department of Homeland Security analyzing extremist ideologies in the U.S. was released in March and recalled within hours amid a firestorm of criticism. In a glossary included with the report, DHS defined "alternative media" as "a term used to describe various information sources that provide a forum for interpretations of events and issues that differ radically from those presented in mass media products and outlets." Fox News notes the description is pejorative despite the fact that "the term is commonly used to describe blogs and popular publications like New York's Village Voice." MORE: The Voice weighs in on being defended by Fox News.

Continue Reading‘Alternative Media’ Ends Up in Federal ‘Domestic Extremism Lexicon’

Cocktail Compass, which the alt-weekly rolled out last week, gives iPhone users information on the happy hours currently happening at bars close by. The app allows users to search for bars that have specific attributes, like wifi, dancing or outdoor seating, and it also includes a feature to call a local cab company when the drinking is done. Seattle Weekly responded to the Stranger's news by saying it had launched "the Ripper," a "game-changing new rotary phone app."

Continue ReadingThe Stranger Launches Happy Hour iPhone App