It’s true…I work with a ninja. Albeit self proclaimed – she’s a ninja…and she has proof. Yup, a wordpress blog with ninja all over it!

We were passing around a link today from New Media Bytes called “Break up the newspapers – go niche!”

…half of the content in the local paper is wire copy – written by the WaPo or the NYT. The local media outlets don’t cover the stories that are important to him.

…it really got me thinking. I wonder what percentage of the many local papers are filled with wire stories. I took a look at the paper I used to work for and still work with – the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

For Tuesday March 11th – there were 4 stories on the front page – 2 local, 2 wire. Section B & C the is the “Iowa Today” & “Sports” section fronts and were all local. It seems like there is a good bit of local content – but it sure makes for interesting talk and speculation.

You also have to wonder what percentage of the audience is getting their national news from the “local” paper. If you cut that out – there is a significant amount of savings in paper. And if someone is really fussy and still wants the nation stuff – lets add it to a special section which can be opted into on a request basis. Now we’ve cut a big portion of the budget in both wires fees and paper costs and can invest more into local community.

Hmmmmm…it really makes you think about what you read, is it local – or wire? I will have to be a little more attentive and check back in. (Oh hell – who am I kidding, I rarely read the paper edition.)