Al-Jazeera Hates Women
In your bold Tuesday media column: female anchors walk out at Al-Jazeera, a slew of media job changes, Newsweek's sale draws closer, Graydon Carter's newest fancy, and happy birthday CNN.
- Five female journalists at Al-Jazeera have reportedly walked off the job after the company criticized them for "wearing make-up and not covering their hair." Good for them.
- Media job changes in the news! Former NYO reporter Azi Paybarah has been hired as a political reporter by WNYC. Daily Beast entertainment reporter Kim Masters is now editor at large for The Hollywood Reporter. And PRWeek publishing director (and my former very excellent editor) Julia Hood is leaving to become director of the Arthur Page Society. May all current, returning, departing, and aspiring journalists be blessed with happy employment in 2010, amen.
- Hey, what the fuck is up with that Newsweek sale, eh? Well, offers are due on Wednesday. David Carr runs through the relatively desultory prospects for the magazine's future, which basically boil down to: some rich guy could buy it because he loves the brand. Best case scenario: a benevolent rich guy who doesn't mind investing. Less good case: a hedge fund that cuts the staff to shreds.
- Graydon Carter's current obsession: Oleg Cassini. Always unpredictable!
- CNN turns 30 today! Unfortunately, it is already looking over the hill.