vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen

1.24.2007

Jobs for journalists

If I had a dime for every time somebody asked me today at the Statehouse what state agency I'm going to work for, I'd have more money than your average journalist.

For the record, I'm not going to work for any state agency. But Darren Allen, our competitor over at the Rutland Herald/Times Argus, is. He's taken a job doing communications for the Agency of Natural Resources. Because he is about the 80th reporter in the last three weeks to jump ship into state government (yes, that's an exaggeration, but it's close), plenty of people are wondering what's going on.

I can't answer that. Journalism pays poorly, the hours are unpredictable and long, and the deadlines never-ending, but there's nothing new about that.

The real question is what the Douglas administration is doing with all these former journalists. Does he feel sorry for them? If that's the case, couldn't he just establish a fund for all of us? Does he hire them because he's tried of reading what they write about him? More than one person intimated that. Or does he think they have some skill the state desperately needs?

Any thoughts?

- Terri Hallenbeck

posted by vt.Buzz | 4:54 PM |

Comments:

What about the ethical question about covering your future boss.

Wonder if Darren wrote any stories about the Administration while even THINKING about applying for the job?

Don't most state jobs take a while to fill? Wonder how long the process took?

Plus wonder if Douglas recruited Darren or Darren jump ship from the Bureau?

Lots of questions

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 7:33 PM, January 24, 2007

There are indeed lots of questions here.

Darren Allen is the third reporter to leave the Herald/Times Argus for state government or a campaign in the past year - John Zicconi became the flack for the Agency of Transportation last year, and Brendan McKenna was Martha Rainville's press secretary.

Now these guys may be good journalists, but there are serious ethical questions about someone who covers state government moving immediately into a PR position in that same government. Former members of Congress are disqualified from lobbying their colleagues for a year after they leave office. Why should journalists be able to jump ship and start putting out puff pieces about agencies or politicians they were supposedly covering "objectively" just a few days before.

When did Darren Allen's editors first learn that he was talking with ANR about this job?

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:28 PM, January 24, 2007

I think all this hoopla is completely ridiculous! If there is anything this government needs it is people who can effectively communicate, particularly in plain english. Government has become the domain of the jargon laiden technocrat who may have good ideas but can't speak outside the technospeak of their specialty. If these journalists can make government more understandable, all the better.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 9:14 PM, January 24, 2007

Don't go Terri, you are the Free Press' best reporter

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 12:22 AM, January 25, 2007

Yeah, hiring a journalist familiar with the subject matter for a communications job, what a crazy idea

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:03 AM, January 25, 2007

What sort of career path is "Journalist"?

Maybe they just want to improve their resumes.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 10:25 AM, January 25, 2007

Some in the fourth estate would prefer to own real estate.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:29 AM, January 25, 2007

Allen wasn't a great journalist. He was more concerned with his own image than in the facts of the story.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 11:44 AM, January 25, 2007

I think that the timelines in both Allen's and Tebbetts' cases should be looked into. The press is supposed to look at government with questions and scepticism, not their resume on their mind. It does make you wonder if Ledbetter has an application in with that Admin. or Freyne is pining to officially become Bernie's communications director.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 2:22 PM, January 25, 2007

Freyne has bigger things on his mind right now.

Let's keep him in our prayers. Love him or hate him, he cares deeply about Vermont and the people in it. He's one of the good guys.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 4:14 PM, January 25, 2007

Poor Darren will now have to get out of bed before noon

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 6:46 AM, January 26, 2007

Freyne has helped make our political landscape top rate in Vermont. His contributions have been significant. Let's all pass positive thoughts his way.

State government needs help with messaging, just like any large organization. My sense is Allen has not given the administration a soft ride.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 5:21 PM, January 27, 2007

No one can say they are a journalist if they take a job being a mouthpiece. It is that simple. But in a day and age when follow the money has gone from a reporter's credo to sound career advice, why should we be surprised? It takes dedication to an ideal rather than a wallet to stay in journalism. All these people simply never had what it takes.
And in case you are curious, yes I am a reporter. Yes I know at least one person mentioned in the postings and yes I would tell him to his face he sold out.
There are college programs created to help people become brain dead mouthpieces. Too bad those programs now include J-school.

# Posted by:

Anonymous | 8:40 PM, January 27, 2007