The Challenges of Covering Space News (Update)
Big Changes at Space News, Inc., SpacePolicy Online
“An email from Space News Publisher Bill Klanke last month announced that the “must read” newspaper/website for anyone who wants to know what’s happening in the space business (apart from SpacePolicyOnline.com, of course!) was changing from a weekly newspaper to bi-weekly magazine format. The difficulties facing news publications in today’s digital/social media age are well documented and that alone was not much of a surprise. But farewell messages today from Executive Editor Warren Ferster, a 21-year Space News veteran, and reporter Dan Leone, who covered the NASA beat, were stunning.”
Keith’s note: We at NASAWatch.com and SpaceRef.com wish Warren and Dan the best and hope that our friends at Space News continue to cover the space beat as they have for several decades.
Keith’s update: Space News Copy Chief Todd Windsor and Office Manager Christine Frazee were also let go.
Here’s hoping Dan lands somewhere good. He does excellent work.
I’ve been a long time subscriber and got my first “new” Space News today. What a disappointment. Like a slightly tarted up USA Today.
Should have seen this coming after AV Week went to 26/yr. AV Fortnight is more accurate. 🙁
Just saw the update. That’s very unfortunate. I suppose it’s a miracle in some ways that Space News has existed for this long, but that doesn’t make it any better. I realize it’s a larger issue, but with things like IFLS counting as journalism, we’re losing an appreciation of what good writing really is. There are some interesting on-line efforts to still make a buck, but I just wish there was a clear path forward on it (and I have no reason to think those at Space News don’t wish that, too.)
Cheers, Dan. I know you’ll land on your feet. I’m queuing up your first freelance SpaceGeeks podcast featuring Keith now.