Zeb is startled awake by the chiselled Italian and listens to the speech

Ahhh Fab, those were the days.  I know it's easy to look through rose tinted glasses but some of the old routines are sorely missing.

I miss the Gazette, tiggy was prolific and educational as well as informative.  Miguel on the other hand, well, he was just a deviant and we loved him for it.

Fab, are you thinking what i'm thinking..............?*

*I'm thinking about midget porn and badgers.

Well, I don't want the folks in the world to miss the point but yes.

Saddle up old friend, it's time for a party!

Hey, Ravenelli, you've got a good thread here, let's give it a tug.

Impartial journalism would be a great addition to the streets. Difficult or challenging questions? Speculation or gossip stories? They all play their part in the dynamic of our world, and are ideal to perform a health check on the stability of the senior ranks. Fear is obviously the main stopping point in poking around in a Godfathers business.

The saying goes though that you can't kill an idea. If the hypothetical publication is free to create, requires no protection from the mob and the publishers cannot be bought, then really, what is stopping it? The editor/writers catch a bullet? Well if they keep it in the family business, their kin can pick it up, assume a similar name and brazenly carry it on, leaving us scratching our heads as to if said person actually died in the first place.

So what else threatens such a project? Stability? Biased journalism, corruption, bribery. Personally, I would never run the risk of the integrity of a project being questioned, once you head down that road of dishonesty it's difficult, nigh impossible, to change paths. It does fit into the dynamic of our world though, and as is with any community run project, there's no guarantee it will be impervious to these threats.

That leaves us with the last blocker on our quest for a consistent source of media. Motivation.

• Such a project cannot weigh on the shoulders of one person alone
• And in keeping with that, you need a team that can abide by the above points
• It's tough to get started and its tough to land something successful. Gotta be able to stick it out
• There's no guaranteed reward for your efforts
• There's no guaranteed interest in your efforts
• There's no guaranteed content for your efforts

In short, it's an almost ideal concept for our world. Its just finding a group of people to commit their family line to producing said publication, shun the mob life for impartiality reasons and hold the necessary talent, drive and coordination for it. Sorry to unravel that particular ball of yarn with quite so much scrutiny, I do enjoy the idea and appreciate that you have taken the time to bring it up! 

JackMezzo

all that is correct and whilst I appreciate you pointing out the pitfalls, the same could be said of any speech, business or otherwise in our world.

I completely understand the sentiment though, it's a labour of love, not something that gives you any visible reward but you know what? I'd like to get involved.

If only as a a celebrity page writer, you know, dishing the dirt etc.  I could be the new...........I have no idea who I could be the new of, but anyway, it could be fun

I couldn't agree more

the news is one thing, but who doesn't love the funnies?  The horoscopes? The gossip columns and the advice section?

The Journalistic way of life (and I'm assuming) is a labour of love, a calling if you will.

I'm still happy to be the gossip columnist by the way.

I agree, I certainly agree. The risk will be without question on something that is truly impartial and assertive, I know the mafia gazette editor was able to walk the streets as a "civilian", unassociated to any illegal organisations and so able to operate without fear of a mob related death.

And without intervention from city hall, that's what we'd be asking for. A dedicated individual(s) who would continue to reprise the role after multiple hospital visits, consistent with the kind of attention their position would bring. 

Jack

You make a very solid point.  To take that kind of editorial role, you would not be able to have any family or city favour.

It was, as you say, a bespoke position granted to someone who dedicated themselves to it, and I doubt we will see the like again

So what is the answer? can this actually work again?

You're correct of course you fabulously chiselled silver fox.

There will however, always be accusations of bias, much like in our media today, so not only do the protagonists have to have talent, a fucking thick skin is also a must have.

I would love to be a part of something like this, as my line was in the past (columnist for the 'news of the crews) but the editorial position is a scarey one and kudos to whomever takes it on.

An editorial position should be easy enough to maintain, so long as the content is readily available. 

Hypothetically, an editor may have, let's say... 10 contributors. x number are providing interviews, x number are providing articles, analysis etc. and x number are putting out feelers for advertising, reviews, fluff content. So long as a portion of those contributors deliver on the deadline, then the editor still has a significant amount of content to present back to the public. 

If they all return, they have back up content, or the next week/month sorted. 

I for example would be able to provide my horse racing analysis, after the weeks races have been completed.

Hey Jimmy

did you get lost by any chance? or have you just hit the bottle a little hard?

JackMezzo, you're absolutely right, dedicated writers need to guarantee content on a consistent basis and this in and of itself is extraordinary undertaking.

I will happilly throw my hat in the ring as a regular contributor but I'm not sure I have the gravitas or indeed, motivation for the head role.

ah Jimmy

I feel your pain, I'm glad I wasn't one of those whoring, I wouldn't have sullied myself.

Jobs boards are sooooooooo last year, we're all about word of mouth I think, or something like that. it's early

heh 'Son' 

I shall take that as a compliment, now, lets go and have a beer.