CHAPTER 16
On June 21, 2007, United Press International celebrated its 100th anniversary. Well, "celebrated" is generous. Here is how Philip Stone, UPI Helsinki in the 1970s, put it: "Yes, there is still a UPI today, but it is not even a shell of its former self, having moved from bankruptcy to bankruptcy to new owner to new owner. And Thursday marked a rather sad anniversary – UPI – that is, what is now called UPI, turned 100 years old. Regretfully, many of those "Unipressers" no longer with us would turn in their graves at what they would see those initials representing today."
He was not alone. Many former Unipressers marked the day with sadness.
This from Emil Sveilis: "I'm sorry, but however crudely I put it, the UPI I knew is dead. Just because the logo still exists, it does not mean that it is the same UPI organization that we all worked for and toiled for. This centennial celebration is a lot of PR and puff to reunite this current outfit with the honorable name of UPI, no matter how much we bitched and groaned when it was still a viable company. I'm sorry, but I would not partake in this project."
Another, Art McGinn, weighed in with this five years earlier: for the record: there are some ex-unipressers, or at least this one, who see no legitimate connection between the current bearer of the name united press international and the news organization which the public has associated with that name. beyond that, best wishes to them all. art ex-sx
On July 11, 2007, Editor & Publisher reported:
UPI Staff Cuts Include White House Correspondent
By Joe Strupp
NEW YORK -- United Press International is cutting 11 positions from its Washington, D.C., bureau, including its lone White House correspondent, Richard Tomkins. The move marks the first time in its history that UPI will have no one on that beat.
We learned on the following days that the United Nations beat, run by veteran Unipresser Bill Reilly, would also be discontinued -- also for the first time in UPI's history.
The official word:
Changes at UPI
Yesterday we started implementing changes at UPI that have been the subject of rumor for some time. I want to explain what those changes are and why we are making them. It has been clear for many years going back to earlier owners that UPI could no longer compete in the market as a general news agency. When News World Communications bought UPI it sought to control costs and improve revenue and has succeeded in both in recent years. In addition, current management has diversified and refocused UPI content in order to find a new market niche where we could once again be successful. That was why the specialized segments in Health, Energy, Security, and International Intelligence were created two years ago.
They were designed to combine existing expertise at UPI with market possibilities that research had identified. Of course, there were no guarantees and the segments themselves were always considered as active tests of the market.
Unfortunately, while the segments have earned money, the gap between revenue and costs remained significant and was not closing quickly enough to justify continued investment in them in their existing form by News World. As a result, from July 31, we will be changing our product lineup. We will focus our global intelligence coverage more tightly, concentrating on defense intelligence, with an emphasis on emerging security threats, defense strategy and security technology, and resource wars. Our health coverage will continue in the form of Consumer Health Tips. NewsTrack will continue to publish as will News Pictures. As a result of the changes, eleven editorial positions will be eliminated.
Looking to the future, UPI will actively explore possibilities in new media and interactive forms of journalism to capitalize on the opportunities offered by emerging digital technologies.
Everyone whose job is affected by these changes has been informed. I want to stress that none of this is any reflection on the quality of work or the commitment of any of UPI’s outstanding editorial staff.
They are the unhappy but unavoidable result of market imperatives. I want to offer my thanks to everybody for your loyalty and a job well done. To those who are leaving you go with our gratitude and best wishes for the future. To those who remain, let’s make the most of the opportunities before us.
Warm regards,
Michael Marshall
Here's what UPI provided to the Illinois secretary of state for publication in a book that office published every two years. What's quoted comes from the 1963-64 and the 1965-66 editions:
United Press International serves more than 150 daily newspapers, radio and television stations in Illinois. These subscribers are among more than 6,000 throughout the world served directly by the manifold facilities of UPI. ... available to subscribers in 111 nations. UPI maintains 264 bureaus in 62 nations, and employs more than 10,000 full- and part-time reporters, telegraphers, photographers, editors, and technicians. UPI dispatches are translated into 48 languages and are fed out over a communications network of 500,000 miles of leased land and underwater circuits and a series of intercontinental radio teleprinter channels.
In 1982, UPI employed 1,737 people in more than 800 newspaper subscribers and more than 4,000 broadcast clients around the world. In 1989 -- only seven years later -- UPI employees numbered about 650.
When Marshall announced the company's changes in July 2007, the joke among former Unipressers was: "They are eliminating 11 positions. Does that take their personnel to minus 5?"
In a release, UPI stated that the change in focus was needed for "increased competitiveness and profitability among consumers of news and analysis in a 21st century media marketplace."
It continued:
“UPI provides news, video and photo content worldwide in English, Spanish, and Arabic to traditional and online media outlets, governments, businesses, policy groups, and academic institutions, according to company officials.
"UPI is taking initial steps to strengthen our coverage of international hot spots seeking on-the-ground coverage from our international network of journalists," Nicholas Chiaia, UPI's chief operating officer, said in a statement. "We are also exploring various options for training aspiring journalists in international news coverage.”
On Oct. 13, 2007, Billy Joe McFarland, who worked in the Portland, Ore., bureau, said the “beginning of the end for UPI came for me in February of 1982, shortly after Publisher Fred Stickel of The Oregonian told me as we exited the building together that UPI was up for sale for $1. That devaluation spelled sinking ship of UPI with its Oregon clients and after Bobbie Ulrich left for The Oregonian's sister paper -- the Oregon Journal earlier -- I said hello The Oregonian -- "I accept your fourth and final offer to come through your doors to continue my journalism future as your new Regional Editor ... beginning Feb. 2, 1982. From the floor below I saw the beloved UPI slowly sink into near oblivion.”
Vin Crosbie, a professor at S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University, who had worked sales for UPI in Albany and New York City, said: “To UPI's sales people (most of whom had news backgrounds), UPI's end was perceptible by the late 1970s.
"It had become apparent by the close of the 1970s that American newspapers didn't need two full-service wire services. Note the verb that I use is need. Most of the 1,450 dailies in the U.S. no longer had local competitors; less than 30 U.S. cities had more than one local newspaper. The few dailies with local competition found that they could publish quite well, thank you, with one full-service wire plus one or two brand name supplementals or their own corporate chain's supplementals. They began to see that having a second full-service wire (one that delivered fewer stories) as a luxury, not a necessity. Meanwhile, more and more of the 1,420 other dailies that had no local competition chose to use the bigger full-service wire, the AP.
“Nails were added to that coffin when in the 1980s President Reagan 'deregulated' the FCC, dropping the requirement that radio station licensees must have news operations. Both the AP and UPI lose huge amounts of broadcast business due to that.”
As the year 2007 was drawing to an end, the Associated Press was hearing at least the beginnings of the death knell. On Nov. 2, 2007, Rich Ord, CEO of iEntry Inc., who could have had a vested interest, wrote in WebProNews.com that "AP is dead ... killed by blogs and aggregation."
According to Ord: "Blogs are the new AP." Journalists and aggregation services, which started with NewsLinx.com in 1996 (founded by me!) and which now include Google News, Topix, Techmeme, WebProWire and the new Blogrunner have made the AP much less relevant. There are now tens of thousands of bloggers around the world providing coverage and analysis of current events too! It comes down to why pay when you can get the news for free."
Advertising Age reported in 2008 that one of every 12 media industry jobs had disappeared since May 2002.
"The U.S. Media industry lost nearly 20,000 jobs over the past year and nearly 8,000 since a post-recession ad recovery began in May 2002.
“Newspapers get the blame; staffing at papers has tumbled 30 percent since its 1990 peak. Internet media companies and search portals are media's biggest job creators, but digital job gains are just a fraction of overall media losses."
Steven A. Smith retired as editor of The Spokesman-Review in October 2008. He had served as editor of The Statesman-Journal in Salem, Ore., and The Gazette in Colorado Springs, Colo.
On July 31, 2008, Smith posted something he called Still a Newspaperman, reprinted here with his permission:
I am a newspaperman.
For some unexplainable reason, I am compelled to say that tonight.
Something is coming, some turn in the media universe, a turn in the future of my newspaper. A turn that will mean the end of me, of us.
There will be reporters. Editors. Something called online producers and multi-media coordinators. Mojos. Slojos and Nojos. Bloggers, froggers and twitters.
But there won't be newspapermen. At 58, I am among the last of a dying race.
And what a race it was. An American archetype.
A newspaperman was a writer. An author. The true, first voice of history. A newspaperman chronicled the life of his times on old Remingtons with faded ribbons. A newspaperman wrote on copy paper, one story in one take. If he wanted a copy, he used carbon paper. If it didn't sing, it was spiked.
A newspaperman edited with pencils and always had a ready stack, freshly sharpened, at the start of every shift. A newspaperman smoked at his desk. And if the managing editor wasn't paying too much attention, he might steal a drink, too. A newspaperman knew how to eat well and finish off the meal with a stiff drink and a fine cigar -- all on the company dime.
A newspaperman wore black slacks, a bit worn. A short-sleeved white shirt and a thin black necktie. A newspaperman owned one pair of black wingtips for his entire career.
A newspaperman had nicknames, raunchy, rude and unashamedly affectionate nicknames, for all of the linotype operators in the basement. A newspaperman reveled in the composing room heat, the smells of melted lead and oily black ink.
But the newspaperman was most at home in the newsroom. A loud, smoky, smelly place. Wire machines. Real phones with loud rings. The morning news meeting held in the men's room, the last two stalls on the right, each editor doing his business while conducting business.
The newsroom was a place of boisterous rough housing, crude jokes and tough insults, none taken too seriously, unless they were taken seriously, in which case there might be a bit of a ruckus, maybe a swing or two.
And the characters. The copy editor who barked like a dog. The old city editor who ate reheated fish for lunch. The former war correspondent, hobbling around on one leg, the other lost to drink not combat.
The newsroom was no place for the meek. The young newspaperman knew that when the managing editor threw a coffee cup at his head, the proper recourse was to duck. There was no HR department ready to take a complaint.
The older newspapermen had their heroes. Ben Franklin. John Peter Zenger. Horace Greeley. William Randolph Hearst. Joseph Pulitzer, maybe. William Allen White certainly. And because he had the heart of a newspaperman, Edward R. Murrow and, later, maybe Walter Cronkite.
For the aspiring newspaperman, heroes were the veterans who welcomed him into the newsroom, all the while expecting he would stay quiet, pay his dues and eventually prove himself under fire. The brightest, most ambitious, most talented young newspapermen were grateful for every day they were able to work next to these great, principled and talented men.
Of course, they were not all men. And in this politically correct world, there are some who think the term "newspaperman" is inherently sexist. But the greatest newspaperman with whom I ever worked was Deborah Howell. Don't ever tell me Deborah Howell isn't a newspaperman. In our world, it was the newspaper that defined us, not gender.
A newspaperman knew the meaning of a deadline. He felt a chill when the presses rumbled at midnight and would look for a reason to be in the press room, slipping an early run paper from the conveyor to give the front page a quick look and maybe also to see his byline in print.
Newspapermen worked hard and played hard. The bartender at the dive across the street knew how many beers each reporter could consume between editions. And after the last edition went to press, the bar lights would be turned up just enough to let the newspapermen read those papers pulled fresh from the press.
The newspaperman was respected in the community. There was a mystique, a glamour that really didn't exist but which the newspaperman happily cultivated. In the movies, the editors were Cary Grant. Or Clark Gable. Or Jack Webb. Or Humphrey Bogart, the greatest of all.
The young newspaperman wanted to be Bogie, standing in the press room, screaming into the phone, "That's the sound of the press, baby." The young newspaperman aspired to challenge authority, defend the defenseless and right wrongs. If he was a Don Quixote with a pen, his windmills were politicians, bureaucrats, crooks and thugs. He thought of his job as a calling and truth was his holy grail.
The old newspapermen have died or are dying. One of my great mentors, Dan Wyant, passed away just a week or two ago. The younger, my generation, are fading, too, facing a future in which journalists serve products and platforms not communities and their newspapers.
The young Turks have become the old farts. We pray at the old altars.
We worship the old gods. The new media moguls have their shiny new religion. And our passing is seen by them as both timely and just.
But there is more to be lost than warm, rosy recollections. It's not all about nostalgia.
No instrument will ever serve the public interest so relentlessly as the daily newspaper. New media will successfully distribute data and information. "Communities of interest" will develop around niche products. And while print newspapers will survive to serve a small, elite audience, they never again will serve the larger geographic communities that gave them life and purpose. Democracy will have to find a new public square.
Even as I try to articulate a coherent and meaningful future for my newspaper and my craft, even as I struggle to innovate, to experiment, to manage a frightened workforce, I weep for what is lost. Oh, I still hang on to the trappings. The fedora. The rumpled raincoat. I have the aging wingtips and 25-year-old ties. My battered old typewriter can still churn out memos. But the life I aspired to, that has defined me for nearly 40 years, is going, is mostly gone.
It is a sad thing. And tonight, I find myself mourning the fading, disappearing American newspaperman, the bison of the information age.
The wooly mammoth and, bless us, the dodo.
Tomorrow I'll try to think again about what happens next.
Steve
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
All: This Is My Last Day - Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
In 2000, UPI was bought by News World Communications Inc., founded by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon. It was the final blow for veteran UPI White House correspondent and Bureau Chief Helen Thomas. She said her good bye quietly and without fanfare – that was done by those who knew her.
Helen's departure came amid quite a bit of speculation and false claims. Arnaud de Borchgrave had been quoted as saying she would stay no matter who bought the service.
He had told the Associated Press, "She told me 48 hours ago that if I stayed, she was staying." On the following day, de Borchgrave was quoted in The Washington Post as saying of Helen: "It's a sad day. The whole country knows Helen Thomas. Those are terribly big shoes to fill. But, I'll have to move on. Everyone is dispensable.”
Grant Dillman, former Washington bureau chief and the man who hired me 31 years earlier, had this to say: "Gwen and I had Helen to dinner Wednesday night and she said flatly that she made no such statement to de Borchgrave or anyone else. In substantiation, she also said she cleaned out her White House desk five days before the announcement of the acquisition. Moreover, she said Lori Santos and her other UPI colleagues at the White House could verify it. And Helen Thomas does not lie."
Lee Katz, UPI International editor, also resigned, saying, "I simply could not work for the new ownership for a single day. Those types of affiliation should not be part of a mainstream news organization. It was hard to leave a job where you travel with the president and secretary of state, work with a legend like Helen Thomas and guide a dedicated staff. But it would be harder to stay under the circumstances."
Nice words, but I don't know who that dedicated staff was that Katz guided. The desk team of editors did everything they could to rein him in and point him in the right direction.
After much back and forth on the subject, Jennifer Brooks, who had occupied a seat very close to Helen in the UPI booth in the White House, had had enough. She sent the following on May 25, 2000:
All right! That does it! To settle, once and for all, Arnaud de Borchgrave's claim the Helen promised to go skipping hand-in-hand with him into the merger with the Moonies:
I got the word two weeks before the sale that Helen would quit if UPI sold out to the Unification Church. ... I spent seven glorious months squashed in the UPI White House booth with Helen Thomas, Lori Santos and Paul Basken. This I observed: Helen never lies. Helen never made any secret of her low opinion of the Washington Times. And Helen would never, ever embarrass UPI by resigning without good and sufficient warning (that she had good and sufficient cause goes without saying). If I knew two weeks ahead of time, Arnaud knew two weeks ahead of time.
Arnaud's broad hints that Helen had hitched her wagon to his star left me rolling on the floor in hysterics. There is no such thing as a private phone conversation in the White House booth, so I know that Arnaud's heart-to-hearts with Helen were limited mainly to efforts to scam invitations to White House galas.
His interaction with me was limited to efforts to describe a non-Helen future in which nanocomputers will be woven into our clothes so we can all read the newspaper on our sleeves. ... I never met anyone who loved her job as much as Helen did. She got to work first thing in the morning because she couldn't stand to stay away a moment longer. Some mornings she'd get there before the front gate guards and just plop down against the White House fence until someone came along to let her in. "Always remember," she'd tell me. "We have the best job in the world."
Do you have any idea what it must have cost her to give it up? Still, when her 57-year relationship with UPI turned abusive, she had the stones to walk away. You drove her away, Arnaud. Just like you drove away Lori and Paul and Dave Rosso and Don Folsum and Lisa Vandusen and Karen Byrne and Joe Warminsky and Pye Chamberlayne and every other reporter and copy editor who worked so heartbreakingly hard to keep UPI afloat for the two thankless years of your tenure. …
Jennifer, sometimes UPI White House and Capitol Hill reporter.
There was also a lot of debate over the influence the Unification Church would or would not have over UPI. At the time of the purchase, we were directed to an April 15, 1987, article in The Washington Post, which said, in part:
Washington Times editorial page editor William P. Chesire and four of his staff members resigned April 14, charging that Times editor-in-chief Arnaud de Borchgrave had allowed an executive of the Unification Church to dictate editorial policy. The Times is owned by News World Communications Inc., a corporation affiliated with the Rev. Sun Myung Moon's church.
"It is no longer possible, in my judgment, for the Times to maintain independence from the Unification Church under the editorship of Mr. de Borchgrave, if it is indeed at all," said Chesire.
I weighed in with a lengthy e-mail to my colleagues in which I brought up some of the complaints that drove a wedge between me and upper management under de Borchgrave.
"Editorial judgment at UPI died a long time ago. It especially died when ADB came in and dictated what the desk would pick up. It died when he surrounded himself with such a group of incompetents that he had full control over what went out over the wire. I and my team of dedicated editors fought to keep crap off the wire. It was an uphill and losing battle, especially when ADB's hires wrote much of the crap and pretended to be reporters. ADB would call Susan Older who trembled down to the desk and said why haven't you picked up the Washington Times story on such and such. Because we had it, it needed checking, we still have a reporter in that department who can check it and get a better story if one is warranted."
I added that reporting had died at UPI and noted that the new hires at UPI, the so-called special international editors, left a lot to be desired. One of those special correspondents, I said, "was the one who screamed at our stringer overseas and told the desk to pick up a TASS story about Yeltsin bolting a meeting under his nose. That same editor/reporter sat at the State Department and finally matched a story, quoting a State Department spokesman, when every other news organization was quoting Secretary of State Madeleine Albright at a news briefing at the State Department."
In 2000, UPI was bought by News World Communications Inc., founded by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon. It was the final blow for veteran UPI White House correspondent and Bureau Chief Helen Thomas. She said her good bye quietly and without fanfare – that was done by those who knew her.
Helen's departure came amid quite a bit of speculation and false claims. Arnaud de Borchgrave had been quoted as saying she would stay no matter who bought the service.
He had told the Associated Press, "She told me 48 hours ago that if I stayed, she was staying." On the following day, de Borchgrave was quoted in The Washington Post as saying of Helen: "It's a sad day. The whole country knows Helen Thomas. Those are terribly big shoes to fill. But, I'll have to move on. Everyone is dispensable.”
Grant Dillman, former Washington bureau chief and the man who hired me 31 years earlier, had this to say: "Gwen and I had Helen to dinner Wednesday night and she said flatly that she made no such statement to de Borchgrave or anyone else. In substantiation, she also said she cleaned out her White House desk five days before the announcement of the acquisition. Moreover, she said Lori Santos and her other UPI colleagues at the White House could verify it. And Helen Thomas does not lie."
Lee Katz, UPI International editor, also resigned, saying, "I simply could not work for the new ownership for a single day. Those types of affiliation should not be part of a mainstream news organization. It was hard to leave a job where you travel with the president and secretary of state, work with a legend like Helen Thomas and guide a dedicated staff. But it would be harder to stay under the circumstances."
Nice words, but I don't know who that dedicated staff was that Katz guided. The desk team of editors did everything they could to rein him in and point him in the right direction.
After much back and forth on the subject, Jennifer Brooks, who had occupied a seat very close to Helen in the UPI booth in the White House, had had enough. She sent the following on May 25, 2000:
All right! That does it! To settle, once and for all, Arnaud de Borchgrave's claim the Helen promised to go skipping hand-in-hand with him into the merger with the Moonies:
I got the word two weeks before the sale that Helen would quit if UPI sold out to the Unification Church. ... I spent seven glorious months squashed in the UPI White House booth with Helen Thomas, Lori Santos and Paul Basken. This I observed: Helen never lies. Helen never made any secret of her low opinion of the Washington Times. And Helen would never, ever embarrass UPI by resigning without good and sufficient warning (that she had good and sufficient cause goes without saying). If I knew two weeks ahead of time, Arnaud knew two weeks ahead of time.
Arnaud's broad hints that Helen had hitched her wagon to his star left me rolling on the floor in hysterics. There is no such thing as a private phone conversation in the White House booth, so I know that Arnaud's heart-to-hearts with Helen were limited mainly to efforts to scam invitations to White House galas.
His interaction with me was limited to efforts to describe a non-Helen future in which nanocomputers will be woven into our clothes so we can all read the newspaper on our sleeves. ... I never met anyone who loved her job as much as Helen did. She got to work first thing in the morning because she couldn't stand to stay away a moment longer. Some mornings she'd get there before the front gate guards and just plop down against the White House fence until someone came along to let her in. "Always remember," she'd tell me. "We have the best job in the world."
Do you have any idea what it must have cost her to give it up? Still, when her 57-year relationship with UPI turned abusive, she had the stones to walk away. You drove her away, Arnaud. Just like you drove away Lori and Paul and Dave Rosso and Don Folsum and Lisa Vandusen and Karen Byrne and Joe Warminsky and Pye Chamberlayne and every other reporter and copy editor who worked so heartbreakingly hard to keep UPI afloat for the two thankless years of your tenure. …
Jennifer, sometimes UPI White House and Capitol Hill reporter.
There was also a lot of debate over the influence the Unification Church would or would not have over UPI. At the time of the purchase, we were directed to an April 15, 1987, article in The Washington Post, which said, in part:
Washington Times editorial page editor William P. Chesire and four of his staff members resigned April 14, charging that Times editor-in-chief Arnaud de Borchgrave had allowed an executive of the Unification Church to dictate editorial policy. The Times is owned by News World Communications Inc., a corporation affiliated with the Rev. Sun Myung Moon's church.
"It is no longer possible, in my judgment, for the Times to maintain independence from the Unification Church under the editorship of Mr. de Borchgrave, if it is indeed at all," said Chesire.
I weighed in with a lengthy e-mail to my colleagues in which I brought up some of the complaints that drove a wedge between me and upper management under de Borchgrave.
"Editorial judgment at UPI died a long time ago. It especially died when ADB came in and dictated what the desk would pick up. It died when he surrounded himself with such a group of incompetents that he had full control over what went out over the wire. I and my team of dedicated editors fought to keep crap off the wire. It was an uphill and losing battle, especially when ADB's hires wrote much of the crap and pretended to be reporters. ADB would call Susan Older who trembled down to the desk and said why haven't you picked up the Washington Times story on such and such. Because we had it, it needed checking, we still have a reporter in that department who can check it and get a better story if one is warranted."
I added that reporting had died at UPI and noted that the new hires at UPI, the so-called special international editors, left a lot to be desired. One of those special correspondents, I said, "was the one who screamed at our stringer overseas and told the desk to pick up a TASS story about Yeltsin bolting a meeting under his nose. That same editor/reporter sat at the State Department and finally matched a story, quoting a State Department spokesman, when every other news organization was quoting Secretary of State Madeleine Albright at a news briefing at the State Department."
Friday, January 14, 2011
All: This Is My Last Day - Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
Some have considered the sale of the UPI Radio Department as the beginning of the end of United Press International. That is a matter of debate. Many say the end began much earlier -- closer to two decades earlier.
The sale of Radio occurred in 1999. I returned to UPI in 1996. No, that was not the beginning of the end. But, in 1996, UPI went through a major change and more changes were coming.
In January 1997, UPI announced that it was closing several foreign bureaus, including Moscow, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Brussels, Bonn or Berlin, Jerusalem, Beirut and Cairo. It was part of the philosophy that was to consume the media industry worldwide in later years -- if you can't make the profit, get rid of the expenses, i.e. those on the payroll. What they didn't consider was that the reporters in the bureaus that were being closed were the ones producing the product.
In 1997, we were working under a new management team consisting of CEO James Adams, Editor-in-Chief Susan Older, John Walston and Publisher and Vice President Grey Burkhart.
In a glossy pamphlet bearing a picture of Adams, a former editor at The Sunday Times of London, lounging in a chair, shoeless with striped socks, Adams outlined what he saw as the new UPI:
"Information, however, is fast becoming the world's cheapest commodity. Too much is as worthless as too little. We don't need to tell you what you need; you need to tell us. To make that task simpler, UPI is developing new products and services that slice through the information glut and give you only what you want."
He added, "We call it Shaping Knowledge."
In the same pamphlet, Susan Older expanded on Adams' vision. Noting Helen Thomas's long tenure with UPI and having covered every president since John F. Kennedy, Older said, "Her reporting spells trust."
Older added:
"Trust is critical in shaping information into knowledge. Today's technology produces a flood of data devoid of context. The facts engulf and complicate, rather than simplify, our lives. We don't need more information, we need more knowledge."
The team also included John Walston. He was our cheerleader. He tried to lighten the mood when things were looking increasingly grim. Walston was enthusiasm, energy, optimism and encouragement. He mostly succeeded. But the obstacles were daunting -- and growing.
On March 19, 1998, Adams angered current and past veteran Unipressers during a speech at the Seybold Seminars' "Publishing 98" conference in New York.
"I can only relate to my own experience that began at UPI around seven months ago," Adams said. "I inherited a sclerotic, corrupted organization that had repeatedly tried to recreate its history instead of trying to embrace a different future. The result was failure. It meant replacing the tired hacks with a new generation who understood not the history of the global news wire but the opportunities of the Knowledge Age."
One retired Unipresser responded to his former colleagues: "I didn't realize how unfeeling, unaware, corrupt, hackneyed, mendacious, short-sighted, misogynistic and just plain incompetent I was until Emperor Adams came along and pointed out the error of my ways."
But Ron Cohen sent his response directly to Adams. In a note to Adams, Cohen told him to stop blaming "the loyal professionals who struggled beyond comprehension for years to overcome the stupid/venal/uncaring/criminally inept/criminally mendacious band of thieves, miscreants, Philistines and Barbarian owners who in the past 15 years have looted, pillaged and cosigned our beloved and unique news company to the brink of the grave.
"Think what you will privately, but for God's sake never again publicly shift the blame from those rapacious owners to the employees who never deserved their miserable pay and despicable treatment -- all they ever asked was not love in return but merely acknowledgment of their professionalism and dedication."
Cohen said Adams' response was immediate. He said Adams told him all he was trying to do was to restore UPI to its past glory. According to Cohen, Adams said that when he took the helm at UPI "the place was such a hell-hole ... that he has had to fire every manager and start fresh with people who have new ideas and new perspectives, to try to recapture the old days."
On April 24, 1998, Adams addressed staffers and gave an update on his vision for the company in a memo. He stated that:
UPI has four major alliances and partnerships in progress:
-- A strategic alliance with Microsoft for development and beta testing of media software.
-- A partnership with Media Exchange for distribution and sales of UPI products through the Internet, which will become operational in May.
-- UPI Productions, a TV documentary company.
-- FingerLakes, which will have space on the B2 level of Washington headquarters, which is a global radio station available through the Internet.
Adams pointed out that editorially, the company has:
-- Implemented an editorial quality assurance program that has improved the quality of the editorial product, though more remains to be done;
-- Is starting a "skunk works" for development of new products (so named for the famed Lockheed development program that produced the Stealth fighter), and that the first UPI knowledge package is the World Cup Soccer package now being sold (Adams encouraged all employees to submit ideas for new products);
-- Is building up the Focus Desk to enhance editing and tracking of stories;
-- been gaining wider distribution of photos, including pictures published in Life magazine, the Quill and the St. Louis Post;
-- Had a number of good exclusive stories, including stories by Pentagon reporter Mike Billington.
Adams also said the expense report process would be streamlined, and a new expense and payment schedule would be implemented under which employee expenses would be paid every two weeks. In addition, stringer payments would be processed by the 20th of each month.
Meanwhile, those stalwart Unipressers manning the bureaus outside Washington continued to do everything they could to keep the wire service up and running. Former Unipressers, reading about the trials and changes, asked those of us still at UPI just what were we doing.
Veteran Unipresser Dave Haskell, the Boston bureau chief, gave a succinct answer:
"I'm at one of the outposts, still doing what I've always done, in one fashion or another. My job is to write up the best stories from bh (Boston) and New England. Whatever 'shaping knowledge' means, what I and Phil Reed do is cover the news. It's what we did back when UPI was fat with people; it's what we do now. How we do it is different. Rather than have staffers physically at every event, electronics allows one person to do so much more than before. Working the phones, fax, the Internet, television and radio, I sit here and gather details on a wide variety of stories each day. They aren't the 800-word thumb suckers we used to do, but I produce some 6,000 to 10,000 words a day, writing two-sentence spotlights, 200- to 300-word focus pieces, 150-word wibs (world in briefs), headline packages. I'm proud of the product we produce for our growing list of mainly broadcast clients. I still get a kick out of hearing a newscaster at a classical or rock station voice my words. I still feel I -- and the rest of us at UPI -- are still providing interesting and compelling stories to a wide audience, whether it's over the air or in cyberspace. As Rosso said, what happens upstairs is another world; we're downstairs in the trenches. Whether I write for one client or a thousand, I still must put out an accurate report. Sure, I miss the old days when we'd get tear sheets back from dozens of small-town newspapers with our bylines prominently played, but these are different times in the news biz. The one constant is that a good story is still a good story, and I'm damned glad to be in a position to contribute my share of them."
Dave was one of the best and well respected by the rest of us. But in his description of what he did, he made an observation that would be telling in another year. He said he was writing for "our growing list of mainly broadcast clients," the very clients UPI was about to dump.
Adams' tenure was relatively short. He was replaced by Arnaud de Borchgrave, the company's sixth chief executive since 1992.
In a December 1998 article by Felicity Barringer, The New York Times noted UPI was an "organization whose chief executives seem to have a shelf life only slightly longer than a piece of wire copy."
At the time that de Borchgrave became the latest president and chief executive, Barringer noted:
"Except in Washington, Chicago and a few other cities, U.P.I. correspondents work in ''virtual bureaus'' (translation: home offices, or their kitchen tables), filing dispatches daily for clients that tend to be Web sites and local radio stations."
On Sept. 16, 1999, Burkhart, stated in a staff memo:
As most of you know, our Board of Directors met yesterday in Washington and were briefed by Arnaud and me on the progress we have made this year and our plans for the next 16 months. In the wake of the restructuring of the company over the past six weeks, we viewed this meeting as especially important for the future of UPI.
Arnaud described the meeting as "highly successful." At the meeting, the Board gave us the green light to investigate exciting opportunities for strategic partnerships with major organizations interested in the "new UPI." Negotiations are currently on-going with a view to forming new media alliances that will substantially enhance UPI's global presence.
The Board also appointed a new Strategic Committee with the mandate to facilitate our transition to a brighter future. Over the next several weeks, Arnaud and I, with the assistance of many of you, will be working closely with the committee to ensure that we move forward expeditiously. Until the committee's work is completed, we will not be launching any new initiatives, but -- rumors to the contrary notwithstanding -- UPI is very much alive. Thank you for all your hard work and continued support.
My favorite is when Arnaud had an exclusive interview with Slobodan Milosevic, the president of Serbia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, during the Kosovo conflict. Since, while he was CEO of UPI he was also still affiliated with the Washington Times, the Washington Times fronted his interview story as their own, allowing the Associated Press to pick it up and credit the Washington Times.
However, the New York Times attributed the story to UPI, but said:
“Milosevic almost never speaks in public or grants interviews to foreign news media. But he gave an interview to United Press International on Thursday, and it was released Friday, coinciding with proposals that Milosevic aired privately with the Russian envoy, Viktor S. Chernomyrdin.
… The UPI interviewer, Arnaud de Borchgrave, 72, asked Milosevic few adversarial questions and allowed Milosevic to ruminate at length unchallenged. United Press International said the two-hour interview took place at a modest house outside Belgrade.
By the end of October 1999, the strain reached the snapping point and I pulled one of those "take-this-job-and-shove-it" moments, slammed a dictionary on the desk, yelled, "I quit," and stormed out. It was an argument between me and editor Tobin Beck. But the cause wasn't Tobin or the argument. It was the culmination of three years of deterioration. It was stringers not being paid, staffs cut to less than bare bones while new people were hired who proved on a daily basis that they were not up to the job.
A short time after my departure, I wrote up my recollections of my final months at UPI for my former colleagues:
After three years as senior managing editor for CongressDaily, I went off in search of new work. Having never looked for work, I got a book telling me what to do. It said to call everybody you know. I called Kathleen Silvassy, at the time UPI's Washington bureau chief. She said, "I need you."
So in 1996, I was once again in the embrace of the work I loved. But change was in the wind. It wasn't too long before there were massive layoffs. "Massive" was becoming a very relative term.
The format of UPI was about to change. Howard Dicus, of UPI radio fame, was running the show. The new dictum was short stories -- 150-300 words -- and the emphasis was on radio copy. I was eventually put in charge of the Focus Desk, responsible for all UPI print copy.
We fought to keep stories short. It was every reporter's nightmare. Some were convinced size mattered. Then, there was a change in management. In came someone named James Adams. And he brought with him Susan Older and John Walston.
Adams was fresh and alive. He met regularly with the editorial staff -- a surprising change from the past. Always a smile. Always energetic. He would put his feet up on the table without his shoes on. He wore a kilt to the White House correspondents' dinner.
But, he had an agenda. And he started to push it on the staff. One day, he attended a function and had a reporter write about a 700-worder, far over our limit. Adams was critical of a White House intelligence paper that was about to be released. The story was strong on criticism and very short on details from the report Adams said he was privvy to. And there was no response from the White House.
Diane Devore was in the slot that day. I had gone home. Diane called me and read the story to me. I talked to Tobin Beck and said the story had to be cut, it had to have White House reaction and it had to specify what it was Adams was complaining about.
I then told Diane: "I am your boss and I am telling you that that story does not move without my approval. You are only following orders. If they complain, send them to me.”
The story was rewritten. But it began a trend.
As time went on, we saw less of Adams. And then he was gone. Arnaud de Borchgrave, a Newsweek veteran and former editor of The Washington Times, was in.
Great plans were being bantered about. The Focus desk was going to expand from five to a dozen or more. Susan Older babbled incessantly that "it will be like a real newsroom."
A bank of televisions was mounted on the wall. Each desk had a headset so the desker could listen to whatever breaking news was on the television.
And then came the Pods. Everybody's first thought was, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." Pods?! Yes, a national security pod, a science pod, an intelligence pod. The focus was now to be on cyber-terrorism, Y2K, Internet terrorism, all very spooky.
The first run-in with de Borchgrave came after he had attended a seminar that included such stellar has-beens as Al Haig. De Borchgrave took copious notes and told UPI State Department reporter Sid Balman to take his notes and write a story. Sid refused. They passed the notes on to the Focus desk. Once again, I was called at home. I told the desk we do not write stories based on somebody else's notes. There is too much chance for misinterpretation.
So UPI Publisher Grey Burkhart wrote a story.
Then de Borchgrave began calling Susan Older at 3 a.m. telling her we needed to pick up a story from The Washington Times. This was beginning to be a habit.
Sometimes the story he wanted was marginal. Sometimes it lacked substance. Sometimes it was simply something we already had. No matter, Older said, It HAD to be picked up.
Then I started losing my desk. Jennifer Brooks went to Congress and then to the White House. Joe Warminsky went to Congress to replace Jennifer. Griffin Shea went to Agence France-Presse. And I could not hire replacements. What happened to the 12 deskers I was supposed to have? Oh. That was 'someday.'
The Focus desk ran 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It was at this time, 1999, the only around-the-clock bureau existing in UPI. When I interviewed applicants, I made it clear that everybody took turns working overnights and weekends. Only one editor worked Monday through Friday -- for family reasons.
Everybody else pulled all shifts.
But when one staffer's wife called to complain about his schedule, I was called into Older's office and questioned. She accused me of destroying the morale on the Focus desk -- and that further increased tension between Older, myself and the Focus Desk.
Then, we started getting some of the Pod-generated copy. These 'thoughtful' creations turned out to be monsters that took a good hour to edit. Most of the time, I gave the copy to Lisa Van Dusen, who could tell crap from substance, and we were getting crap.
On numerous occasions, she wrote memos to Tobin Beck saying the "analysis" she was reading was not analysis but opinion and should be described as such. On other occasions, the copy was sloppy -- or took an off-the-wall approach to a subject.
We worked hard to edit the "pod" stories, but they were taking more and more time and we were again losing editors without any hope of replacing them.
Then Susan Older and Grey Burkholt started a campaign of snide, sarcastic missives to the Focus desk pointing out typos.
This copy needed to be read twice and we did not have the people to do it twice.
Then on Oct. 30, Tobin Beck insisted he had to look at a story that had been read and I was halfway through re-reading for filing.
He took it from me and filed it. He did not correct it as I was doing, and it went on the wire with a number of mistakes.
Beck and Older were constantly asking what could be done to improve editing on the Focus desk. So when that story went down the wire, I lost my composure and stormed out, with an "I quit!"
I came back calmer Monday to talk to Tobin. Another desker had been sort of 'mediating' and tension had ebbed. I met with Tobin and he told me to 'chill' and he would talk to Older and try to get me reinstated.
I waited until 3 p.m. Tuesday -- much as Patrick Grey (Watergate fans), swinging in the wind -- before Beck called and said, "It is the position of the company...."
That Friday, Lisa Van Dusen handed in her resignation.
On Dec. 18, 1999, Editor & Publisher wrote that UPI was "struggling to control its personnel turmoil as it sorts through six potential suitors for the floundering wire service."
About halfway through the article, E&P stated:
"Dave Rosso, the longtime copy editor of UPI, resigned Oct. 29, after several disagreements with editors."
The article referred to my own farewell message.
Shortly after I quit, Jennifer Brooks e-mailed me and reminded me that I had left in such a hurry that I had not filed a farewell message. I typed one up and she sent it out. She was fired.
In that message, I stated: "This group in Washington that describes itself as the new UPI is perverting journalism. You are on the front lines to stamp it out. Don't make it easy for them."
De Borchgrave told E&P that I was a "respected journalist," but that "UPI changed and David still wanted to do things the old way."
At the time of my departure, UPI Publisher Grey E. Burkhart revealed that UPI had "a number of suitors," including Canadian Conrad Black and former CNN financial anchor Lou Dobbs.
The UPI owners at the time, the Saudi Arabia ARA Group International of Riyadh, which had lost $140 million since buying UPI in 1992, pledged to keep the wire service running until they found a buyer.
In an e-mail to the Downhold wire, a collection of former Unipressers, Brooks said:
Just thought you'd like to see the farewell message I would have sent to my ex-colleagues, if I still had computer access.
All:
I’ve been fired. Quite startling. But as I sit around the house, wearing flannel, whimpering piteously and plowing through my third tub of Chubby Hubby ice cream, it occurs to me -- I'm awfully glad UPI hired me in the first place. Even if I had to get off before the ride came to a full and complete stop, I think it was worth the price of admission.
So thank you, UPI. I applied for this job, terrified that the pace and demands of wire service work would crush me to jelly. I spent my entire initial interview trying to talk John Walston out of hiring me: "But I don't KNOW anything about copy editing!" I'd lost my last reporting job and was in my fifth miserable week as a temporary secretary in USA Today's newsroom. The very next day, like a bolt from a generous God, Monica Lewinsky erupted. Day after that, I started work as UPI's lone congressional reporter.
Thank you, UPI. In my first year, I covered the presidential impeachment and trial, a near government shutdown, the rise and fall of three House speakers in as many months, stacks of legislation taller than me, and an armed assault on the Capitol. Also, Strom Thurmond patted me on the behind. I wrote half a dozen stories on an average day. If I couldn't keep pace with AP or Reuters, I took comfort in the knowledge that I BURIED Agence France-Presse.
My second year at UPI, I covered the president himself, accumulated a tidy pile of commemorative Air Force One M&Ms, traveled to nine countries (if you count a refueling stop in Ireland, which I do), honed my Clinton imitation to terrifying precision, and became quite a connoisseur of airport tarmacs and motorcade minivans. I never quite overcame my awe at strolling through the White House gates every morning (I really think if I'd stayed there just a little longer, the cute guard would have asked me out) and plopping into a chair next to Helen Thomas. I left before I quite mastered Helen's knack for yelling the right question, or Lori's (Lori Santos) finesse of the news cycle and steely control over the Viet Cong tunnels that pass for the White House bureaucracy, or Paul's (Paul Baskin) cyber-empire of computer-assisted reporting. They did their best to teach me their ways. Be nice to them. I've left them short-handed.
Thank you, UPI for introducing me to Dave Rosso, for whom I would send a thousand farewell messages; mighty Joe Warminsky, who didn't let the Hill crush him to jelly, either; Lisa Van Dusen, who made the Zen potato and me very, very happy; Karen Byrne, who carries the desk on her slender shoulders (dusted lightly in condiments and dried in a windstorm); (k)night rider John Hendel; and Anthony Louis, who was of like mind about the shocking scarcity of shredded squirrels on the A wire. Ex-unipressers, feel the love: Ken Bazinet (here, description fails me), sweet Griffin Shea, divine Diane Devore, that dude Chris Sieroty, that ol softie Sid Balman, John Walston, Chris Long (remember him?), James Gordon Meek and Mike Rosenberg, the entire radio staff ('specially Don Folsom, Pye Chamberlayne and Jim Burns. Where did you go? What did you do?) Bye Pam Hess and Mike Kirkland and Ken and Kukis and Soni (you never get your propers in these "all" messages, girlfriend).
And Rose the secretary, who always kept a stash of fax toner and reporters' notebooks for me. Bye, vanishing state bureaus. Bye, unpaid stringers. Bye, elusive UPI photographers.
I've had a splendid time. I skipped to work most mornings. I went months without turning in time sheets because I couldn't really believe I was getting paid to do this job, never mind paid overtime. Now I'm back on the market, searching for a job as much fun as this one has been. Wish me luck.
I think I'm going to be just fine, apart from missing you.
Love,
Brooks-home
Date: 99-11-05 20:41:20 EST
Dear All,
After assuming for so long it was just a figure of speech, it's hard to believe I'm actually quitting over Rosso's dead body, so to speak.
I've told this story a few times in the past week, but will tell it again. When John Walston first dragged me by the Focus desk and asked Dave Rosso if he had time to meet me, Rosso, barely looking up long enough to actually look askance, barked, "I don't have time to meet anyone right now, I've got a job to do." I knew then that I wanted to work for him because, in a business tragically overrun by ciphers, poseurs and both failed and aspiring flacks, he seemed so remarkably lifelike.
The two years I have spent working with him have both enhanced that impression immeasurably and spoiled me for any notion of doing this job in his absence. I'd like to thank him for inspiring that kind of certainty and for tirelessly running interference so the rest of us could get on with it unmolested. He is a good man, a great boss and a loyal friend.
UPI has been graced with an exceptional concentration of outstanding broads and I really cannot say how thankful I am to have had their support and friendship. Lori Santos, the departed Diane DeVore, Jennifer Brooks, Pam Hess, and Karen Byrne are all tough, loyal, talented, compassionate and very funny women. I think it must be that Helen Thomas, as the walking UPI trademark, draws the good ones and weeds out the bulk of the undesirables just by sheer force of her personality. Thank you, Helen, for that and for carrying all of us in this place longer than our mothers did.
Joe "Allentown" Warminsky, the lamented Griffin Shea, Jorge Banales, Mark Kukis and Ken Layne -- I don't have room to do it properly, but thank you for entertaining, humoring, indulging and, as often as was required, ridiculing me. It made me less homesick for my four brothers in Canada. You are darling boys.
There is a handful of real reporters left at this organization -- some mentioned above -- whose copy it was a joy to read, edit and occasionally, as one of them once said, "arbitrarily and dangerously" display an annoying but well-intentioned proprietary interest in. I'd like to thank them for their bravery in maintaining the illusion of legitimacy by continuing to commit actual journalism. Some of them are stringers, some staff, and some gone. All of them, I wish well.
Until very, very recently, I was glad to come in here every day and very grateful that I was able to work in this game again despite the demands of single motherhood. I will always be thankful to the people who allowed me to do that and especially to my colleagues on the Focus desk for not whingeing about my banker's hours even though they had absolutely every right to. You are all damn fine Americans and it was a lovely run. Thank you. Chrs. LVD (Lisa Van Dusen).
all: Little did I know, two weeks back when I gave my notice here at UPI, that my departure would be so dramatically overshadowed by other events. This place continues to be very weird. Of course I prefer to leave a job quietly, like a Thief in the Night, and that's just how I am exiting on this cool Monday evening.
It has been an education and, often, a pleasure to work on this desk. There are many of you I only know via (the message wire), and many of you already departed, and some of you still here, and I'm not sure how many of my comrades will ever see this farewell but whatever, it's an old pagan tradition.
After all this talk of newsletters in recent months, I am now off to write for a travel newsletter published by a nice stable company I needn't worry about -- hell, I don't even have to show up at the office, ever. So in the coming months I'll be relocating to the southern coast of Spain, somewhere below Granada, where I hope to spend much time studying wine, books, the piano, language and the long-term effects of sleeping on the beach after lunch.
Everybody has their own version of the ideal UPI, but I imagine most versions would require the service to be influential and fully staffed and profitable and professional and fun.
There are things I'll miss about the wire service that was still hanging on when I arrived a mere eight months ago, and I hope for the sake of American journalism that some version of the wire survives.
The United States is becoming like the old Soviet Union with the old TASS: One source of information coming from one group of editors.
And I'm not very excited about having all my news come from Disney-ABC-Viacom-ClearChannel-TimeWarner-Yahoo-Microsoft outlets running AP, with a little finance news and world headlines from Bloomberg/Reuters.
Good luck to you all. OK, shift's over.
Chrs et rgds mi amigos, Ken Layne
Date: 99-12-27 18:32:36 EST
In late December, 1999, it was Joe Warminsky's turn.
All:
Today is my last day with UPI. I have taken a job with Congressional Quarterly here in Washington, DC. If you received this message, it is my small way of thanking you for whatever part you played in making my time at UPI interesting and rewarding.
I've spent only 18 months with UPI, but it feels like a much longer stint. To sum up my experience, I'll say this: I wish UPI could hand out degrees of some sort. I feel like I've been to the strangest graduate school in journalism.
When I first got here, the Focus Desk was in the basement, squeezed into a little corner of the UPI Radio studio. I was the last person hired for a team that turned out to be the smartest and most motivated group of people I've ever worked with: Rosso, Byrne, Devore, Shea, Hendel, Van Dusen, Banales, Sieroty. (Y'all know how I feel about you.) Within six months I found myself working totally alone, still relatively green, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on a Saturday when the House impeached Clinton, the president launched a new round of attacks on Iraq and Bob Livingston resigned as House Speaker-elect because of hanky-panky allegations. I think I filed about 90 items that day. Afterward, no news day seemed too ridiculous or too intense on the desk. Days like that can jade a guy, too. Byrne reminded me recently of when we were watching the Columbine situation unfold on CNN -- I was looking up at the television, dumbfounded, saying things such as: "This is fake .... This has to be a hoax." It looked so much like a movie. My six months on Capitol Hill were filled with similar head-scratching moments. How easy it is to become a cynic.
Ah, cynicism. I suppose it would be a dereliction of duty to write a completely positive farewell message -- UPI has changed too much in the past 18 months to warrant only sunshine from me. I'll put it this way: I hope UPI can succeed, but I wish some decisions in the past few months were different. Layne said it best in his recent farewell message. To paraphrase him: Now more than ever, the media industry needs as many reliable voices and as many good products as possible. Good reporting and good analysis, however, require solid resources. For the industry's sake, let's hope UPI can find or create more of them -- and keep the ones it has.
To other Washington staff members, past and present, I offer my thanks for all the support and guidance. Thomas, Santos, Basken, Bazinet, Brooks, Martin, Beck, Balman, Hess, Kirkland, Kukis, Anderson, Lawrence, Schuster, Walston, Long, Neslon, Salhani, Sieff, Meek, Rosenberg, Baker, Cook, Thompson, everybody in UPI Radio and so on -- you folks have each taught me lessons, including how to behave like a reporter (Helen, thanks for the chats) and how to play the angles (Lori, you know 'em all).
To the folks in the hinterlands: Bennett, Kreiter, Kjos, Magers, Koller, Haskell, Johnson, Ingwersen, Hawke, Butler, Cukan, Nason, Swanson, Schnaue, Reilly, Joseph, Bartholomew, Joseph and anybody and everybody I forgot -- I will miss seeing your three-letter IDs pop up on the xia printer, your vaunted message traffic and your many sardonic slugs (Kreiter, Bennett, I wish I could remember some of your zingers now. I'm sure somebody has a collection somewhere). I hope UPI will stick with the talent it still has in the field.
And last, but not least, to the international staffers and regular stringers: Thank you for working so damn hard and caring so deeply. Harbaksh, Joshua, Dalal, Sana, Saud, Rodpaul, Anthony -- I have gotten to know you better than many other people at UPI because you are all willing to talk about yourselves as well as your work. Now that there are so few UPI reporters in Washington, you and the many others in the field are the backbone of the company's news product.
And to anybody else who I didn't mention, I apologize for the oversight.
Good Luck,
Joe Warminsky"
Dear colleagues
Today is my last day at UPI. With affection, nostalgia and thanks, I salute all the reporters, stringers and deskers who keep this wire humming. It’s been an honor and a delight to work with you all.
It takes a certain kind of lunatic to do this job. The only person crazier than the witness to history is the person driven to test the veracity of the witness. It’s a divine calling: between curses, say thanks that it chose you.
The UPI wire is thinning and stretching. Stay with it if you want and while you can, but remember, you can employ your savvy elsewhere. Who knows, you might even get respected, and paid on time.
Of course, you might also be dangled about like a string puppet and made to grovel for your pennies. Gotta guard your ass in this business.
And that is my last word.
Karen Byrne
UPI-WA
Dear colleagues,
It is with regret that I write to tell you of my impending departure from UPI. In the 2.5 years that I have been editor-in-chief of this news operation, I have worked with the best, most dedicated journalists I’ve ever known. I certainly can’t deny that there have been difficult times for all of us, but your professionalism, your friendship and your generosity have made my job more rewarding and my life easier.
I have taken the position of chief content officer for an integrated health services company operating largely on the Internet. My last day at UPI will be Friday, May 5. After that time, I’ll be working in my new position from home until the end of June, when I’ll move to Manhattan.
Please keep in touch. I will miss each and every one of you — and you will be in my thoughts as you make your transition to new ownership.
Susan Older
Sunday, April 30, 2000
Well, it’s goodbye. Today is my last day at United Press International.
I would like to express my admiration and gratitude to all the stringers, writers, editors and photographers who every day keep the UPI wire an endless stream of copy and pictures despite sub-par working conditions, job uncertainty and the never-ending management changes.
It has been an honor to work with all of you.
Cheers
To those who remain: It is the beginning of the 21st century, don’t let them treat you like it’s the end of the 19th.
Jorge
Some have considered the sale of the UPI Radio Department as the beginning of the end of United Press International. That is a matter of debate. Many say the end began much earlier -- closer to two decades earlier.
The sale of Radio occurred in 1999. I returned to UPI in 1996. No, that was not the beginning of the end. But, in 1996, UPI went through a major change and more changes were coming.
In January 1997, UPI announced that it was closing several foreign bureaus, including Moscow, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Brussels, Bonn or Berlin, Jerusalem, Beirut and Cairo. It was part of the philosophy that was to consume the media industry worldwide in later years -- if you can't make the profit, get rid of the expenses, i.e. those on the payroll. What they didn't consider was that the reporters in the bureaus that were being closed were the ones producing the product.
In 1997, we were working under a new management team consisting of CEO James Adams, Editor-in-Chief Susan Older, John Walston and Publisher and Vice President Grey Burkhart.
In a glossy pamphlet bearing a picture of Adams, a former editor at The Sunday Times of London, lounging in a chair, shoeless with striped socks, Adams outlined what he saw as the new UPI:
"Information, however, is fast becoming the world's cheapest commodity. Too much is as worthless as too little. We don't need to tell you what you need; you need to tell us. To make that task simpler, UPI is developing new products and services that slice through the information glut and give you only what you want."
He added, "We call it Shaping Knowledge."
In the same pamphlet, Susan Older expanded on Adams' vision. Noting Helen Thomas's long tenure with UPI and having covered every president since John F. Kennedy, Older said, "Her reporting spells trust."
Older added:
"Trust is critical in shaping information into knowledge. Today's technology produces a flood of data devoid of context. The facts engulf and complicate, rather than simplify, our lives. We don't need more information, we need more knowledge."
The team also included John Walston. He was our cheerleader. He tried to lighten the mood when things were looking increasingly grim. Walston was enthusiasm, energy, optimism and encouragement. He mostly succeeded. But the obstacles were daunting -- and growing.
On March 19, 1998, Adams angered current and past veteran Unipressers during a speech at the Seybold Seminars' "Publishing 98" conference in New York.
"I can only relate to my own experience that began at UPI around seven months ago," Adams said. "I inherited a sclerotic, corrupted organization that had repeatedly tried to recreate its history instead of trying to embrace a different future. The result was failure. It meant replacing the tired hacks with a new generation who understood not the history of the global news wire but the opportunities of the Knowledge Age."
One retired Unipresser responded to his former colleagues: "I didn't realize how unfeeling, unaware, corrupt, hackneyed, mendacious, short-sighted, misogynistic and just plain incompetent I was until Emperor Adams came along and pointed out the error of my ways."
But Ron Cohen sent his response directly to Adams. In a note to Adams, Cohen told him to stop blaming "the loyal professionals who struggled beyond comprehension for years to overcome the stupid/venal/uncaring/criminally inept/criminally mendacious band of thieves, miscreants, Philistines and Barbarian owners who in the past 15 years have looted, pillaged and cosigned our beloved and unique news company to the brink of the grave.
"Think what you will privately, but for God's sake never again publicly shift the blame from those rapacious owners to the employees who never deserved their miserable pay and despicable treatment -- all they ever asked was not love in return but merely acknowledgment of their professionalism and dedication."
Cohen said Adams' response was immediate. He said Adams told him all he was trying to do was to restore UPI to its past glory. According to Cohen, Adams said that when he took the helm at UPI "the place was such a hell-hole ... that he has had to fire every manager and start fresh with people who have new ideas and new perspectives, to try to recapture the old days."
On April 24, 1998, Adams addressed staffers and gave an update on his vision for the company in a memo. He stated that:
UPI has four major alliances and partnerships in progress:
-- A strategic alliance with Microsoft for development and beta testing of media software.
-- A partnership with Media Exchange for distribution and sales of UPI products through the Internet, which will become operational in May.
-- UPI Productions, a TV documentary company.
-- FingerLakes, which will have space on the B2 level of Washington headquarters, which is a global radio station available through the Internet.
Adams pointed out that editorially, the company has:
-- Implemented an editorial quality assurance program that has improved the quality of the editorial product, though more remains to be done;
-- Is starting a "skunk works" for development of new products (so named for the famed Lockheed development program that produced the Stealth fighter), and that the first UPI knowledge package is the World Cup Soccer package now being sold (Adams encouraged all employees to submit ideas for new products);
-- Is building up the Focus Desk to enhance editing and tracking of stories;
-- been gaining wider distribution of photos, including pictures published in Life magazine, the Quill and the St. Louis Post;
-- Had a number of good exclusive stories, including stories by Pentagon reporter Mike Billington.
Adams also said the expense report process would be streamlined, and a new expense and payment schedule would be implemented under which employee expenses would be paid every two weeks. In addition, stringer payments would be processed by the 20th of each month.
Meanwhile, those stalwart Unipressers manning the bureaus outside Washington continued to do everything they could to keep the wire service up and running. Former Unipressers, reading about the trials and changes, asked those of us still at UPI just what were we doing.
Veteran Unipresser Dave Haskell, the Boston bureau chief, gave a succinct answer:
"I'm at one of the outposts, still doing what I've always done, in one fashion or another. My job is to write up the best stories from bh (Boston) and New England. Whatever 'shaping knowledge' means, what I and Phil Reed do is cover the news. It's what we did back when UPI was fat with people; it's what we do now. How we do it is different. Rather than have staffers physically at every event, electronics allows one person to do so much more than before. Working the phones, fax, the Internet, television and radio, I sit here and gather details on a wide variety of stories each day. They aren't the 800-word thumb suckers we used to do, but I produce some 6,000 to 10,000 words a day, writing two-sentence spotlights, 200- to 300-word focus pieces, 150-word wibs (world in briefs), headline packages. I'm proud of the product we produce for our growing list of mainly broadcast clients. I still get a kick out of hearing a newscaster at a classical or rock station voice my words. I still feel I -- and the rest of us at UPI -- are still providing interesting and compelling stories to a wide audience, whether it's over the air or in cyberspace. As Rosso said, what happens upstairs is another world; we're downstairs in the trenches. Whether I write for one client or a thousand, I still must put out an accurate report. Sure, I miss the old days when we'd get tear sheets back from dozens of small-town newspapers with our bylines prominently played, but these are different times in the news biz. The one constant is that a good story is still a good story, and I'm damned glad to be in a position to contribute my share of them."
Dave was one of the best and well respected by the rest of us. But in his description of what he did, he made an observation that would be telling in another year. He said he was writing for "our growing list of mainly broadcast clients," the very clients UPI was about to dump.
Adams' tenure was relatively short. He was replaced by Arnaud de Borchgrave, the company's sixth chief executive since 1992.
In a December 1998 article by Felicity Barringer, The New York Times noted UPI was an "organization whose chief executives seem to have a shelf life only slightly longer than a piece of wire copy."
At the time that de Borchgrave became the latest president and chief executive, Barringer noted:
"Except in Washington, Chicago and a few other cities, U.P.I. correspondents work in ''virtual bureaus'' (translation: home offices, or their kitchen tables), filing dispatches daily for clients that tend to be Web sites and local radio stations."
On Sept. 16, 1999, Burkhart, stated in a staff memo:
As most of you know, our Board of Directors met yesterday in Washington and were briefed by Arnaud and me on the progress we have made this year and our plans for the next 16 months. In the wake of the restructuring of the company over the past six weeks, we viewed this meeting as especially important for the future of UPI.
Arnaud described the meeting as "highly successful." At the meeting, the Board gave us the green light to investigate exciting opportunities for strategic partnerships with major organizations interested in the "new UPI." Negotiations are currently on-going with a view to forming new media alliances that will substantially enhance UPI's global presence.
The Board also appointed a new Strategic Committee with the mandate to facilitate our transition to a brighter future. Over the next several weeks, Arnaud and I, with the assistance of many of you, will be working closely with the committee to ensure that we move forward expeditiously. Until the committee's work is completed, we will not be launching any new initiatives, but -- rumors to the contrary notwithstanding -- UPI is very much alive. Thank you for all your hard work and continued support.
My favorite is when Arnaud had an exclusive interview with Slobodan Milosevic, the president of Serbia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, during the Kosovo conflict. Since, while he was CEO of UPI he was also still affiliated with the Washington Times, the Washington Times fronted his interview story as their own, allowing the Associated Press to pick it up and credit the Washington Times.
However, the New York Times attributed the story to UPI, but said:
“Milosevic almost never speaks in public or grants interviews to foreign news media. But he gave an interview to United Press International on Thursday, and it was released Friday, coinciding with proposals that Milosevic aired privately with the Russian envoy, Viktor S. Chernomyrdin.
… The UPI interviewer, Arnaud de Borchgrave, 72, asked Milosevic few adversarial questions and allowed Milosevic to ruminate at length unchallenged. United Press International said the two-hour interview took place at a modest house outside Belgrade.
By the end of October 1999, the strain reached the snapping point and I pulled one of those "take-this-job-and-shove-it" moments, slammed a dictionary on the desk, yelled, "I quit," and stormed out. It was an argument between me and editor Tobin Beck. But the cause wasn't Tobin or the argument. It was the culmination of three years of deterioration. It was stringers not being paid, staffs cut to less than bare bones while new people were hired who proved on a daily basis that they were not up to the job.
A short time after my departure, I wrote up my recollections of my final months at UPI for my former colleagues:
After three years as senior managing editor for CongressDaily, I went off in search of new work. Having never looked for work, I got a book telling me what to do. It said to call everybody you know. I called Kathleen Silvassy, at the time UPI's Washington bureau chief. She said, "I need you."
So in 1996, I was once again in the embrace of the work I loved. But change was in the wind. It wasn't too long before there were massive layoffs. "Massive" was becoming a very relative term.
The format of UPI was about to change. Howard Dicus, of UPI radio fame, was running the show. The new dictum was short stories -- 150-300 words -- and the emphasis was on radio copy. I was eventually put in charge of the Focus Desk, responsible for all UPI print copy.
We fought to keep stories short. It was every reporter's nightmare. Some were convinced size mattered. Then, there was a change in management. In came someone named James Adams. And he brought with him Susan Older and John Walston.
Adams was fresh and alive. He met regularly with the editorial staff -- a surprising change from the past. Always a smile. Always energetic. He would put his feet up on the table without his shoes on. He wore a kilt to the White House correspondents' dinner.
But, he had an agenda. And he started to push it on the staff. One day, he attended a function and had a reporter write about a 700-worder, far over our limit. Adams was critical of a White House intelligence paper that was about to be released. The story was strong on criticism and very short on details from the report Adams said he was privvy to. And there was no response from the White House.
Diane Devore was in the slot that day. I had gone home. Diane called me and read the story to me. I talked to Tobin Beck and said the story had to be cut, it had to have White House reaction and it had to specify what it was Adams was complaining about.
I then told Diane: "I am your boss and I am telling you that that story does not move without my approval. You are only following orders. If they complain, send them to me.”
The story was rewritten. But it began a trend.
As time went on, we saw less of Adams. And then he was gone. Arnaud de Borchgrave, a Newsweek veteran and former editor of The Washington Times, was in.
Great plans were being bantered about. The Focus desk was going to expand from five to a dozen or more. Susan Older babbled incessantly that "it will be like a real newsroom."
A bank of televisions was mounted on the wall. Each desk had a headset so the desker could listen to whatever breaking news was on the television.
And then came the Pods. Everybody's first thought was, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." Pods?! Yes, a national security pod, a science pod, an intelligence pod. The focus was now to be on cyber-terrorism, Y2K, Internet terrorism, all very spooky.
The first run-in with de Borchgrave came after he had attended a seminar that included such stellar has-beens as Al Haig. De Borchgrave took copious notes and told UPI State Department reporter Sid Balman to take his notes and write a story. Sid refused. They passed the notes on to the Focus desk. Once again, I was called at home. I told the desk we do not write stories based on somebody else's notes. There is too much chance for misinterpretation.
So UPI Publisher Grey Burkhart wrote a story.
Then de Borchgrave began calling Susan Older at 3 a.m. telling her we needed to pick up a story from The Washington Times. This was beginning to be a habit.
Sometimes the story he wanted was marginal. Sometimes it lacked substance. Sometimes it was simply something we already had. No matter, Older said, It HAD to be picked up.
Then I started losing my desk. Jennifer Brooks went to Congress and then to the White House. Joe Warminsky went to Congress to replace Jennifer. Griffin Shea went to Agence France-Presse. And I could not hire replacements. What happened to the 12 deskers I was supposed to have? Oh. That was 'someday.'
The Focus desk ran 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It was at this time, 1999, the only around-the-clock bureau existing in UPI. When I interviewed applicants, I made it clear that everybody took turns working overnights and weekends. Only one editor worked Monday through Friday -- for family reasons.
Everybody else pulled all shifts.
But when one staffer's wife called to complain about his schedule, I was called into Older's office and questioned. She accused me of destroying the morale on the Focus desk -- and that further increased tension between Older, myself and the Focus Desk.
Then, we started getting some of the Pod-generated copy. These 'thoughtful' creations turned out to be monsters that took a good hour to edit. Most of the time, I gave the copy to Lisa Van Dusen, who could tell crap from substance, and we were getting crap.
On numerous occasions, she wrote memos to Tobin Beck saying the "analysis" she was reading was not analysis but opinion and should be described as such. On other occasions, the copy was sloppy -- or took an off-the-wall approach to a subject.
We worked hard to edit the "pod" stories, but they were taking more and more time and we were again losing editors without any hope of replacing them.
Then Susan Older and Grey Burkholt started a campaign of snide, sarcastic missives to the Focus desk pointing out typos.
This copy needed to be read twice and we did not have the people to do it twice.
Then on Oct. 30, Tobin Beck insisted he had to look at a story that had been read and I was halfway through re-reading for filing.
He took it from me and filed it. He did not correct it as I was doing, and it went on the wire with a number of mistakes.
Beck and Older were constantly asking what could be done to improve editing on the Focus desk. So when that story went down the wire, I lost my composure and stormed out, with an "I quit!"
I came back calmer Monday to talk to Tobin. Another desker had been sort of 'mediating' and tension had ebbed. I met with Tobin and he told me to 'chill' and he would talk to Older and try to get me reinstated.
I waited until 3 p.m. Tuesday -- much as Patrick Grey (Watergate fans), swinging in the wind -- before Beck called and said, "It is the position of the company...."
That Friday, Lisa Van Dusen handed in her resignation.
On Dec. 18, 1999, Editor & Publisher wrote that UPI was "struggling to control its personnel turmoil as it sorts through six potential suitors for the floundering wire service."
About halfway through the article, E&P stated:
"Dave Rosso, the longtime copy editor of UPI, resigned Oct. 29, after several disagreements with editors."
The article referred to my own farewell message.
Shortly after I quit, Jennifer Brooks e-mailed me and reminded me that I had left in such a hurry that I had not filed a farewell message. I typed one up and she sent it out. She was fired.
In that message, I stated: "This group in Washington that describes itself as the new UPI is perverting journalism. You are on the front lines to stamp it out. Don't make it easy for them."
De Borchgrave told E&P that I was a "respected journalist," but that "UPI changed and David still wanted to do things the old way."
At the time of my departure, UPI Publisher Grey E. Burkhart revealed that UPI had "a number of suitors," including Canadian Conrad Black and former CNN financial anchor Lou Dobbs.
The UPI owners at the time, the Saudi Arabia ARA Group International of Riyadh, which had lost $140 million since buying UPI in 1992, pledged to keep the wire service running until they found a buyer.
In an e-mail to the Downhold wire, a collection of former Unipressers, Brooks said:
Just thought you'd like to see the farewell message I would have sent to my ex-colleagues, if I still had computer access.
All:
I’ve been fired. Quite startling. But as I sit around the house, wearing flannel, whimpering piteously and plowing through my third tub of Chubby Hubby ice cream, it occurs to me -- I'm awfully glad UPI hired me in the first place. Even if I had to get off before the ride came to a full and complete stop, I think it was worth the price of admission.
So thank you, UPI. I applied for this job, terrified that the pace and demands of wire service work would crush me to jelly. I spent my entire initial interview trying to talk John Walston out of hiring me: "But I don't KNOW anything about copy editing!" I'd lost my last reporting job and was in my fifth miserable week as a temporary secretary in USA Today's newsroom. The very next day, like a bolt from a generous God, Monica Lewinsky erupted. Day after that, I started work as UPI's lone congressional reporter.
Thank you, UPI. In my first year, I covered the presidential impeachment and trial, a near government shutdown, the rise and fall of three House speakers in as many months, stacks of legislation taller than me, and an armed assault on the Capitol. Also, Strom Thurmond patted me on the behind. I wrote half a dozen stories on an average day. If I couldn't keep pace with AP or Reuters, I took comfort in the knowledge that I BURIED Agence France-Presse.
My second year at UPI, I covered the president himself, accumulated a tidy pile of commemorative Air Force One M&Ms, traveled to nine countries (if you count a refueling stop in Ireland, which I do), honed my Clinton imitation to terrifying precision, and became quite a connoisseur of airport tarmacs and motorcade minivans. I never quite overcame my awe at strolling through the White House gates every morning (I really think if I'd stayed there just a little longer, the cute guard would have asked me out) and plopping into a chair next to Helen Thomas. I left before I quite mastered Helen's knack for yelling the right question, or Lori's (Lori Santos) finesse of the news cycle and steely control over the Viet Cong tunnels that pass for the White House bureaucracy, or Paul's (Paul Baskin) cyber-empire of computer-assisted reporting. They did their best to teach me their ways. Be nice to them. I've left them short-handed.
Thank you, UPI for introducing me to Dave Rosso, for whom I would send a thousand farewell messages; mighty Joe Warminsky, who didn't let the Hill crush him to jelly, either; Lisa Van Dusen, who made the Zen potato and me very, very happy; Karen Byrne, who carries the desk on her slender shoulders (dusted lightly in condiments and dried in a windstorm); (k)night rider John Hendel; and Anthony Louis, who was of like mind about the shocking scarcity of shredded squirrels on the A wire. Ex-unipressers, feel the love: Ken Bazinet (here, description fails me), sweet Griffin Shea, divine Diane Devore, that dude Chris Sieroty, that ol softie Sid Balman, John Walston, Chris Long (remember him?), James Gordon Meek and Mike Rosenberg, the entire radio staff ('specially Don Folsom, Pye Chamberlayne and Jim Burns. Where did you go? What did you do?) Bye Pam Hess and Mike Kirkland and Ken and Kukis and Soni (you never get your propers in these "all" messages, girlfriend).
And Rose the secretary, who always kept a stash of fax toner and reporters' notebooks for me. Bye, vanishing state bureaus. Bye, unpaid stringers. Bye, elusive UPI photographers.
I've had a splendid time. I skipped to work most mornings. I went months without turning in time sheets because I couldn't really believe I was getting paid to do this job, never mind paid overtime. Now I'm back on the market, searching for a job as much fun as this one has been. Wish me luck.
I think I'm going to be just fine, apart from missing you.
Love,
Brooks-home
Date: 99-11-05 20:41:20 EST
Dear All,
After assuming for so long it was just a figure of speech, it's hard to believe I'm actually quitting over Rosso's dead body, so to speak.
I've told this story a few times in the past week, but will tell it again. When John Walston first dragged me by the Focus desk and asked Dave Rosso if he had time to meet me, Rosso, barely looking up long enough to actually look askance, barked, "I don't have time to meet anyone right now, I've got a job to do." I knew then that I wanted to work for him because, in a business tragically overrun by ciphers, poseurs and both failed and aspiring flacks, he seemed so remarkably lifelike.
The two years I have spent working with him have both enhanced that impression immeasurably and spoiled me for any notion of doing this job in his absence. I'd like to thank him for inspiring that kind of certainty and for tirelessly running interference so the rest of us could get on with it unmolested. He is a good man, a great boss and a loyal friend.
UPI has been graced with an exceptional concentration of outstanding broads and I really cannot say how thankful I am to have had their support and friendship. Lori Santos, the departed Diane DeVore, Jennifer Brooks, Pam Hess, and Karen Byrne are all tough, loyal, talented, compassionate and very funny women. I think it must be that Helen Thomas, as the walking UPI trademark, draws the good ones and weeds out the bulk of the undesirables just by sheer force of her personality. Thank you, Helen, for that and for carrying all of us in this place longer than our mothers did.
Joe "Allentown" Warminsky, the lamented Griffin Shea, Jorge Banales, Mark Kukis and Ken Layne -- I don't have room to do it properly, but thank you for entertaining, humoring, indulging and, as often as was required, ridiculing me. It made me less homesick for my four brothers in Canada. You are darling boys.
There is a handful of real reporters left at this organization -- some mentioned above -- whose copy it was a joy to read, edit and occasionally, as one of them once said, "arbitrarily and dangerously" display an annoying but well-intentioned proprietary interest in. I'd like to thank them for their bravery in maintaining the illusion of legitimacy by continuing to commit actual journalism. Some of them are stringers, some staff, and some gone. All of them, I wish well.
Until very, very recently, I was glad to come in here every day and very grateful that I was able to work in this game again despite the demands of single motherhood. I will always be thankful to the people who allowed me to do that and especially to my colleagues on the Focus desk for not whingeing about my banker's hours even though they had absolutely every right to. You are all damn fine Americans and it was a lovely run. Thank you. Chrs. LVD (Lisa Van Dusen).
all: Little did I know, two weeks back when I gave my notice here at UPI, that my departure would be so dramatically overshadowed by other events. This place continues to be very weird. Of course I prefer to leave a job quietly, like a Thief in the Night, and that's just how I am exiting on this cool Monday evening.
It has been an education and, often, a pleasure to work on this desk. There are many of you I only know via (the message wire), and many of you already departed, and some of you still here, and I'm not sure how many of my comrades will ever see this farewell but whatever, it's an old pagan tradition.
After all this talk of newsletters in recent months, I am now off to write for a travel newsletter published by a nice stable company I needn't worry about -- hell, I don't even have to show up at the office, ever. So in the coming months I'll be relocating to the southern coast of Spain, somewhere below Granada, where I hope to spend much time studying wine, books, the piano, language and the long-term effects of sleeping on the beach after lunch.
Everybody has their own version of the ideal UPI, but I imagine most versions would require the service to be influential and fully staffed and profitable and professional and fun.
There are things I'll miss about the wire service that was still hanging on when I arrived a mere eight months ago, and I hope for the sake of American journalism that some version of the wire survives.
The United States is becoming like the old Soviet Union with the old TASS: One source of information coming from one group of editors.
And I'm not very excited about having all my news come from Disney-ABC-Viacom-ClearChannel-TimeWarner-Yahoo-Microsoft outlets running AP, with a little finance news and world headlines from Bloomberg/Reuters.
Good luck to you all. OK, shift's over.
Chrs et rgds mi amigos, Ken Layne
Date: 99-12-27 18:32:36 EST
In late December, 1999, it was Joe Warminsky's turn.
All:
Today is my last day with UPI. I have taken a job with Congressional Quarterly here in Washington, DC. If you received this message, it is my small way of thanking you for whatever part you played in making my time at UPI interesting and rewarding.
I've spent only 18 months with UPI, but it feels like a much longer stint. To sum up my experience, I'll say this: I wish UPI could hand out degrees of some sort. I feel like I've been to the strangest graduate school in journalism.
When I first got here, the Focus Desk was in the basement, squeezed into a little corner of the UPI Radio studio. I was the last person hired for a team that turned out to be the smartest and most motivated group of people I've ever worked with: Rosso, Byrne, Devore, Shea, Hendel, Van Dusen, Banales, Sieroty. (Y'all know how I feel about you.) Within six months I found myself working totally alone, still relatively green, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on a Saturday when the House impeached Clinton, the president launched a new round of attacks on Iraq and Bob Livingston resigned as House Speaker-elect because of hanky-panky allegations. I think I filed about 90 items that day. Afterward, no news day seemed too ridiculous or too intense on the desk. Days like that can jade a guy, too. Byrne reminded me recently of when we were watching the Columbine situation unfold on CNN -- I was looking up at the television, dumbfounded, saying things such as: "This is fake .... This has to be a hoax." It looked so much like a movie. My six months on Capitol Hill were filled with similar head-scratching moments. How easy it is to become a cynic.
Ah, cynicism. I suppose it would be a dereliction of duty to write a completely positive farewell message -- UPI has changed too much in the past 18 months to warrant only sunshine from me. I'll put it this way: I hope UPI can succeed, but I wish some decisions in the past few months were different. Layne said it best in his recent farewell message. To paraphrase him: Now more than ever, the media industry needs as many reliable voices and as many good products as possible. Good reporting and good analysis, however, require solid resources. For the industry's sake, let's hope UPI can find or create more of them -- and keep the ones it has.
To other Washington staff members, past and present, I offer my thanks for all the support and guidance. Thomas, Santos, Basken, Bazinet, Brooks, Martin, Beck, Balman, Hess, Kirkland, Kukis, Anderson, Lawrence, Schuster, Walston, Long, Neslon, Salhani, Sieff, Meek, Rosenberg, Baker, Cook, Thompson, everybody in UPI Radio and so on -- you folks have each taught me lessons, including how to behave like a reporter (Helen, thanks for the chats) and how to play the angles (Lori, you know 'em all).
To the folks in the hinterlands: Bennett, Kreiter, Kjos, Magers, Koller, Haskell, Johnson, Ingwersen, Hawke, Butler, Cukan, Nason, Swanson, Schnaue, Reilly, Joseph, Bartholomew, Joseph and anybody and everybody I forgot -- I will miss seeing your three-letter IDs pop up on the xia printer, your vaunted message traffic and your many sardonic slugs (Kreiter, Bennett, I wish I could remember some of your zingers now. I'm sure somebody has a collection somewhere). I hope UPI will stick with the talent it still has in the field.
And last, but not least, to the international staffers and regular stringers: Thank you for working so damn hard and caring so deeply. Harbaksh, Joshua, Dalal, Sana, Saud, Rodpaul, Anthony -- I have gotten to know you better than many other people at UPI because you are all willing to talk about yourselves as well as your work. Now that there are so few UPI reporters in Washington, you and the many others in the field are the backbone of the company's news product.
And to anybody else who I didn't mention, I apologize for the oversight.
Good Luck,
Joe Warminsky"
Dear colleagues
Today is my last day at UPI. With affection, nostalgia and thanks, I salute all the reporters, stringers and deskers who keep this wire humming. It’s been an honor and a delight to work with you all.
It takes a certain kind of lunatic to do this job. The only person crazier than the witness to history is the person driven to test the veracity of the witness. It’s a divine calling: between curses, say thanks that it chose you.
The UPI wire is thinning and stretching. Stay with it if you want and while you can, but remember, you can employ your savvy elsewhere. Who knows, you might even get respected, and paid on time.
Of course, you might also be dangled about like a string puppet and made to grovel for your pennies. Gotta guard your ass in this business.
And that is my last word.
Karen Byrne
UPI-WA
Dear colleagues,
It is with regret that I write to tell you of my impending departure from UPI. In the 2.5 years that I have been editor-in-chief of this news operation, I have worked with the best, most dedicated journalists I’ve ever known. I certainly can’t deny that there have been difficult times for all of us, but your professionalism, your friendship and your generosity have made my job more rewarding and my life easier.
I have taken the position of chief content officer for an integrated health services company operating largely on the Internet. My last day at UPI will be Friday, May 5. After that time, I’ll be working in my new position from home until the end of June, when I’ll move to Manhattan.
Please keep in touch. I will miss each and every one of you — and you will be in my thoughts as you make your transition to new ownership.
Susan Older
Sunday, April 30, 2000
Well, it’s goodbye. Today is my last day at United Press International.
I would like to express my admiration and gratitude to all the stringers, writers, editors and photographers who every day keep the UPI wire an endless stream of copy and pictures despite sub-par working conditions, job uncertainty and the never-ending management changes.
It has been an honor to work with all of you.
Cheers
To those who remain: It is the beginning of the 21st century, don’t let them treat you like it’s the end of the 19th.
Jorge
Thursday, January 13, 2011
All: This Is My Last Day - Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
On many occasions I have discussed or mentioned stringers, their work and their struggles to get paid.
1999
The situation continued to worsen. We received depressing outlooks, told we might want to update our resumes. Layoffs continued. Hiring was out of the question. I was losing people on the desk and scheduling the staff I had left was barely covering the 24 hours a day that had to be covered.
The news philosophy was now to scrape up everything from newspapers and send out rewrites, rather than do independent reporting. We also depended on stringers -- reporters who were paid by the story, and those payments were becoming painfully delinquent.
Our stringers covered events across the United States and around the world -- the workings of local governments, tragedies, plane crashes, fires, earthquakes, assassinations and many times the oddball story that, well, you had to be there. And we were so fortunate to have so many "there."
Here is one I saved.
Bc-israel-cop 8-7-97
Naked cop flees gun-wielding woman
By JOSHUA BRILLIANT
TEL AVIV, Aug. 7 (UPI) – A policeman who made advances on a woman has found himself running naked down a street in Jaffa, south of Tel Aviv, screaming for help.
The Daily Yediot Aharonot reports today the woman’s father chased the policeman with a bat, and the 30-year-old divorcee followed the two waving the cop’s handgun.
A police spokeswoman said, “such an incident happened,” but declined to confirm or deny details. She said Justice Ministry investigators are looking into the incident.
The policeman, who identified himself as “Subhi,” has been making advances to the woman over the past three months.
The woman told her farther. Her father found the policeman’s number on a caller ID device and was stunned when he called the number and an operator answered: “Police, shalom.” Once Subhi called from his home, and the father traced the private number.
The father complained to the Jaffa police. The police suggested the woman, whose name was not revealed, invite Subhi home. They told her father to call them when Subhi arrived.
Subhi turned up with his gun in his holster. He hugged the woman and tried to carry her to the bedroom. She suggested he take a shower first, and he agreed.
The father, hiding in another room, alerted police. He then stormed into the bathroom and clubbed the naked cop.
Subhi fled, and the father chased him into the street. The woman grabbed Subhi’s gun, followed the two and shouted at Subhi to stop or she’d shoot. Luckily for Subhi — and perhaps some innocent bystanders — police arrived before she pulled the trigger.
When I was fired in 1993, I had made a point in my open letter to note the company's poor record of paying stringers. When Editor&Publisher wrote about my dismissal, Steve Geimann, asked about that charge, said stringers have been paid.
E&P added: "Then he added that some had not been paid, but said how stringers are paid is a business decision. Some are paid right away, others at various intervals."
Geimann told E&P that UPI was still in business and "bills are being paid." But, he added that all bills are not necessarily paid the moment they come in.
Pressed, Geimann said he was not going to get into UPI's internal affairs.
Here is a sampling of queries regarding pay from stringers. I have removed names. I was always amazed at their dedication, despite not being paid. Without fail, they would message or call, ask about pay, and when I was still unable to reassure them, they would offer two or three stories for the day.
Sept. 11, 1992
Csongos-wa
You’ll have to excuse me if I sound reluctant, but I’ve already used up all my goodwill with potential stringers and promises of payment that never have been made. No one blvs me anymore. However, will make further attempts next week. Rgds. Boston
Dec. 18, 1992
I’ve just received a letter from Washington news stringer XXXXX, who covered the trial of Clair George, an ex-CIA deputy chief. He writes, “It has been 2 ½ months ago since I reported on the trial for UPI and two months since I covered the Arab delegations’ press conference at the conclusion of the last round of peace talks.
“With all the time having passed, I was sure that I would have received my earned pay. I have received nothing. I request that you have a check issued in the amount of $775, as agreed … I would appreciate receiving the check immediately.”
The reason I’m giving you these details is this: I have a suspicion that this guy is willing to go to court in an effort to collect his money. And this is the kind of publicity we should try to avoid.
Cheers,
Jan. 14, 1993
Geimann-wa
Re stringers, nd to get following caught up as best possbl:
Srtinger A: … (want to use her for spring training but she won’t do unless she gets caught up)
Stringer B: … he’s owed a considerable amount and I use him every week.
Stringer C: … has been coming in every week since September to help collect scores and has not been paid a dime.
Stringer D: … want to use him for spring training too. With no one in bay area, nd to get him back in fold.
Stringer E: … covers new york for us
Stringer F: … he’s been covering los angeles for us and hasn’t been paid since September.
(note lists five others without comment)
New York Sports
Jan. 14, 1993
Geimann
Is there anything we can tell stringers?? I have to deal with our north jersey guy today on two (2) major stories, one of which will prolly be ntl skedder. Wud be nice if I can tell him something, especially if it’s something accurate and not like the last time when I tld him he was on the list and then he never got anything. Thanks et chrs. Trenton
Trenton
We’re working on the stringer issue right now, and I hope to have a time schedule later today for paying the key stringers. If he’s critical, we should be able to get something to him by early next week. But I won’t know exactly until later today. Which stringer are you talking to? Chrs. Geimann-wa
feb. 2, 1993
lengthy note to Bob Kennedy, Middle East broadcasting associates, and Steve Geimann, executive editor, UPI
Gentlemen
As journalists and bureau chiefs dedicated to the survival and prosperity of UPI, we have become increasingly concerned over the growing financial, personnel and morale problems that are pushing the EuroMedAf Division of United Press International to the verge of collapse.
We have endured pay cuts, staff shortages and other hardships because we share a belief in the need and purpose of this venerable institution.
……
Most disturbing — and the problem closest to our hearts — is that stringers and local staff, who enable UPI to produce a viable news report, are going unpaid. All are giving their time and skills, and some are risking their lives, for UPI. One has just been severely injured. We were appalled to learn that neither this person nor his assistant had been paid for months for covering the world’s most dangerous story.
Stringers and local staff must pay rent, buy food and support their families. Some have already stopped writing, severely hampering our work. Just one example is the European sports service, once our best seller in Europe, which is a shadow of its former self because the stringer network is collapsing.
……
The note was signed by bureau chiefs in Warsaw, Paris, Rome, Athens, Johannesburg, Belgrade, Bonn, London, Jerusalem, Moscow, Cairo and Beirut.
Feb. 23, 1993
Have received repeated phone calls from ... croation airlines who booked and paid for sullivan’s flights et is owed 2,447 pounds. He is becoming increasingly desperate as his calls to the upi office in the states are not returned.
Mr. XXX was more than helpful in making arrangements for Kevin for which he charged no extra. Eye wud therefore be very grateful if u cud return his calls.
U guaranteed the flights with ur credit card (American Express) which croation airlines was then not able to accept. Eye checked at the time with both u, david moyer et yur secretary that XXXXX wud be paid. Having spent mene hours arranging the details of kevin’s evacuation from yugo, it seems unfair to have to spend mene more hours fending off creditors. Cheers,
Feb. 26, 1993
Geimann responded in a telephone call saying that their letter went over his head by going to XXX and “that could create problems for him. That although he hears our concern and frustration, the option you exercised may actually backfire and upset ongoing negotiations (among the owners) re finalizing the business plan. he said they were very close to completing the business plan, and that when it is accepted by the owners it will include the money necessary to operate the company. I asked if the plan will be ready in a couple of weeks as I had gathered from the upi newser last Friday. A couple weeks is a fairer estimate, he said, but some details need to be completed. Other comments he made during this call, which was rather unpleasant, indicate he is not privy to those talks. He says the owners are putting their resources in the future. But he gave no indication whether that meant back bills would be paid.
1993
steve: is there anything you can do for XXXX? Dave says we owe him money for the book packages going back to September. As you know, he’s been doing the reviews on a regular basis. Even a partial payment would be nice. Cheers.
Geimann-ntl
Stringer is XXX …yes, it’s critical. But at this point, I’m not sure how to define critical given company’s recent pattern of stiffing people. XXXX has also been owed $$$ for months. Chrs. Trenton
Undated
Brightbill, martin x-koza
Here is the dreadful situation of today in Eastern Europe: Warsaw
1. Warsaw staffer quit Friday, effective July 13. she is going to AP where she will make 220 percent of what she makes now. This leaves us without a staffer as well as our accountant.
2. part-timer “hurt his back” and is expected to be out all week, which coincidentally is the week of exams where he is a teacher. This is the eighth week this year he has not worked for us for one reason or another. Last week he took off to care for his mother-in-law. This gives u an idea of where UPI is on his list of priorities. Frankly, it’s justified, because he is not being paid his pitiful salary on time by London.
3. this leaves XXX as our only staffer. He is trying to juggle full-time work at UPI with a one- or two-day-a-week job elsewhere that pays him the same salary we do.
4. under these circumstances, we will shortly be going to reduced operating hours in Warsaw.
5. our landlord, faced with a blizzard of bankruptcy court documents, is threatening to cancel our lease unless we write a letter saying we intend to continue renting the premises. Bogdon and I have taken it upon ourselves to promise them that if UPI goes bankrupt, we will be willing to take over the office. We are told that will get them off our back.
6. pap did not pay us for UPI services this month. That means we will probably no longer be getting dlrs 2,600 a month from them. Cash in hand today stands at dlrs 200.
Vienna
7. as you see by XXX’s letter, she is doing the job of three full-time people and hasn’t been paid since March. I am surprised she didn’t switch into low gear weeks ago, as she announced she is doing today. I chalk it up to extreme and extraordinary dedication. Besides her back pay, she deserves a medal for what she’s done for this company and what she’s been through because of it.
Hungary
8. Erika XXX has not worked since returning from vacation three weeks ago. She cannot afford to. We owe her dlrs 1,000 in back telephone bills, plus her retainer which hasn’t been paid for three months. She says as much as she loves UPI, she cannot afford to work for us anymore. She is trying to find some other way to pay those phone bills.
Czechoslovakia
9. peter XXX went to Yugoslavia this week for a string that pays him. This leaves no one for us in Czechoslovakia as the country is splitting up. We had to let XXXX go two months ago, to free up some money hopefully to get peter some of his back pay. I am too embarrassed to call the one other person I used to count on in a pinch, XXXX, because I fear London has not paid him the invoice he sent to London several times billing us for the piddling amount of approx 185 pounds of work over the past 2 ½ years. He said all he sought was a little recognition of his work, but we can’t even manage that.
Bulgaria
10. I know you are well aware of Vladimir’s problems. He cannot pay his phone bills either.
Yugoslavia
11. staffer XXXXX and XXXXX are both owed some back pay — XXXXX for two months I believe.
(Belgrade is of course a major priority, and I have some suggestions on how to make an impossible situation a little less impossible, when you have the chance to consider them)
in short, our Eastern Europe network, which took six years to build, has collapsed
rgds
Warsaw
Mr. Rosso
Hi. Having payment problems … Accounting says payment posted March 5. But U.S, bank say cheque has not been received. Would it be possible if you inquire and cross-check following info?
(provides bank information)
ablest and cheers,
(Athens)
March 23, 1998
Dear Mr. Adams,
It is my rule to never lose temper, until detrimental to keep it. And such is the present case.
For months, I have rigorously reported on every newsworthy event that has emerged from this increasingly intriguing part of the globe. Indeed, over 100 stories datelined from Athens contributed to the “I” in “UPI” since December.
The response? Not a penny’s payment.
If the organization does not envisage its renaissance as an international news agency, then it should insulate its isolationism and discourage rather than encourage stringer contributions.
But, should the contrary be the case, UPI must stand by the financial obligations of sustaining a small legion of foreign correspondents.
I look forward to your response and the organization’s payment of pending reporting fees from Athens.
Feb. 19, 1999
Susan Older, John Walston, Tobin Beck
Folks,
Stringers are understandably running out of patience. I deal with them on a daily basis — not to field their queries about their pay, but to handle the copy that they have contributed. And I hope that word “contributed” isn’t translated too literally. Take a look at the flow of copy from overseas — the death of King Hussein, Kosovo in France and Yugoslavia, and now Ocalan — all over the world. This copy wasn’t generated by the Focus Desk. It was generated by dedicated, hard-working journalists. And despite not being paid, some for months, they continue to put out, they continue to ask what more they can do, and, as an aside, “Dave, any word on pay?” The old UPI didn’t pay stringers. I was hoping the new UPI really would be new. These folks need to be able to depend on timely, regular pay checks. They have the same financial obligations that we have and not one of us would sit back and be happy missing several pay checks with no word when — or if — a check is forthcoming.
Rosso
Feb. 20, 1999
Dave:
Have u got any idea wot’s goin on with the string pay delay? Is it the usual once (or twice) a year major month or more delay for reasons beyond understanding — or is something more significant going on? As I look back on my records for the past couple years, I notice the January, February and March period of each year is full of delay -- with the traditional impact of extending by at least one month the overall cash flow. Like Anthony, my accounts show that all effort which I produced for UPI after the close of November last year remains unpaid.
Paris
Feb. 25, 1999
Hi Dave
It’s XXX in Amman. Hope you’re well. Just wanted to confirm something by Monday, when I bill UPI for Feb. I agreed with Chris Long when I was rehired that I would be getting $50 per story and $25 per spot. Up until this month, I didn’t file any spots on their own, and have a lot this month with King Hussein’s death and funeral coverage, in addition to Iraq statements on bombings. Just want to make sure that this still stands when I invoice UPI on Monday. Please confirm. Also, thnx for your msg yesterday on the checks. I just wish I knew what was going on inside, whether the management is having second thoughts about your very few stringers who are talking a huge load, or if they’re thinking of rehiring full-time, or whether they’re just going to let us all go again. If you hear anything thru the grapevines on status of stringers, pls let me know, so am prepared for what’s coming. I’ve been thru this ordeal so many times since 1990. I get a feeling they’re finding they’re not saving money by having fired all of us in Dec. 97, or are they? Anything uu know wud help me.
Thanks et rgds
(Amman)
Aug. 9, 1999
Note from David Fisher in UPI finance to Sajid Rizvi:
We have $1,900 for June. No stringer payments have been made, and I do not have an expected date for release.
Dave
Hi,
Re. Your message of 8-26 asking me to submit invoices for stories done in August by Sept. 1: e-mailed Tobin Beck, the guardian of the purse, and asked for the current rate. Since I haven’t heard anything yet (and don’t know whether there is an assistant purse keeper at your office whom I can ask), I am assuming that the rate is still $150 per story, same as back in April when I filed some stories for you. If there were any rate changes in the meantime, such as an INCREASE (yeah, right), you will let me know, won’t you. I will be sending you an invoice tomorrow by e-mail.
Also: another thing I haven’t heard from Tobin yet is whether you want me to continue sending updates on daily basis — or on whatever basis the story warrants — or whether you want me to quit anytime soon. I am quite happy to continue, but would like to know that you want me to do this.
Thanks for getting back to me on that; this way I’ll know these messages don’t end up in the big black hole,
(Geneva)
Aug. 31, 1999
Dave,
Despite much discussion back and forth about rates, I still haven’t heard from Tobin Beck. Since you asked me to submit this invoice by Sept. 1, which, at least on this side of the ocean is tomorrow, I am assuming that the rate of $150 per story is still current and valid. So that’s what I’m invoicing.
It was a pleasure, and I’ll keep in touch.
Geneva
Sept. 27, 1999
Dave,
Since none of my emails were answered lately, I’m not planning on submitting any more story suggestions, until and unless I hear something back. So, I’m going to submit my invoice for the stories I did in September as soon as you confirm that the rate of $150 per story still stands.
Thanks,
(Geneva)
Oct. 1, 1999
Hi — UPI is a private, independent news company that has subscribers. Our fastest growing area of business is providing news to websites. We are planning to expand our coverage of international issues, particularly analysis and depth coverage of economics and finance, science and technology, environment, global politics, defense and so on. We have staff and editors primarily in Washington, and rely mainly on stringers for coverage of events outside the United States.
Tobin Beck
Oct. 21, 1999
p.s. If I am screamed at by anyone other than you, Lisa or Karen will scream right back, as july pay is STILL NOT HERE!!! I am not complaining in the least, just stating a fact.
On many occasions I have discussed or mentioned stringers, their work and their struggles to get paid.
1999
The situation continued to worsen. We received depressing outlooks, told we might want to update our resumes. Layoffs continued. Hiring was out of the question. I was losing people on the desk and scheduling the staff I had left was barely covering the 24 hours a day that had to be covered.
The news philosophy was now to scrape up everything from newspapers and send out rewrites, rather than do independent reporting. We also depended on stringers -- reporters who were paid by the story, and those payments were becoming painfully delinquent.
Our stringers covered events across the United States and around the world -- the workings of local governments, tragedies, plane crashes, fires, earthquakes, assassinations and many times the oddball story that, well, you had to be there. And we were so fortunate to have so many "there."
Here is one I saved.
Bc-israel-cop 8-7-97
Naked cop flees gun-wielding woman
By JOSHUA BRILLIANT
TEL AVIV, Aug. 7 (UPI) – A policeman who made advances on a woman has found himself running naked down a street in Jaffa, south of Tel Aviv, screaming for help.
The Daily Yediot Aharonot reports today the woman’s father chased the policeman with a bat, and the 30-year-old divorcee followed the two waving the cop’s handgun.
A police spokeswoman said, “such an incident happened,” but declined to confirm or deny details. She said Justice Ministry investigators are looking into the incident.
The policeman, who identified himself as “Subhi,” has been making advances to the woman over the past three months.
The woman told her farther. Her father found the policeman’s number on a caller ID device and was stunned when he called the number and an operator answered: “Police, shalom.” Once Subhi called from his home, and the father traced the private number.
The father complained to the Jaffa police. The police suggested the woman, whose name was not revealed, invite Subhi home. They told her father to call them when Subhi arrived.
Subhi turned up with his gun in his holster. He hugged the woman and tried to carry her to the bedroom. She suggested he take a shower first, and he agreed.
The father, hiding in another room, alerted police. He then stormed into the bathroom and clubbed the naked cop.
Subhi fled, and the father chased him into the street. The woman grabbed Subhi’s gun, followed the two and shouted at Subhi to stop or she’d shoot. Luckily for Subhi — and perhaps some innocent bystanders — police arrived before she pulled the trigger.
When I was fired in 1993, I had made a point in my open letter to note the company's poor record of paying stringers. When Editor&Publisher wrote about my dismissal, Steve Geimann, asked about that charge, said stringers have been paid.
E&P added: "Then he added that some had not been paid, but said how stringers are paid is a business decision. Some are paid right away, others at various intervals."
Geimann told E&P that UPI was still in business and "bills are being paid." But, he added that all bills are not necessarily paid the moment they come in.
Pressed, Geimann said he was not going to get into UPI's internal affairs.
Here is a sampling of queries regarding pay from stringers. I have removed names. I was always amazed at their dedication, despite not being paid. Without fail, they would message or call, ask about pay, and when I was still unable to reassure them, they would offer two or three stories for the day.
Sept. 11, 1992
Csongos-wa
You’ll have to excuse me if I sound reluctant, but I’ve already used up all my goodwill with potential stringers and promises of payment that never have been made. No one blvs me anymore. However, will make further attempts next week. Rgds. Boston
Dec. 18, 1992
I’ve just received a letter from Washington news stringer XXXXX, who covered the trial of Clair George, an ex-CIA deputy chief. He writes, “It has been 2 ½ months ago since I reported on the trial for UPI and two months since I covered the Arab delegations’ press conference at the conclusion of the last round of peace talks.
“With all the time having passed, I was sure that I would have received my earned pay. I have received nothing. I request that you have a check issued in the amount of $775, as agreed … I would appreciate receiving the check immediately.”
The reason I’m giving you these details is this: I have a suspicion that this guy is willing to go to court in an effort to collect his money. And this is the kind of publicity we should try to avoid.
Cheers,
Jan. 14, 1993
Geimann-wa
Re stringers, nd to get following caught up as best possbl:
Srtinger A: … (want to use her for spring training but she won’t do unless she gets caught up)
Stringer B: … he’s owed a considerable amount and I use him every week.
Stringer C: … has been coming in every week since September to help collect scores and has not been paid a dime.
Stringer D: … want to use him for spring training too. With no one in bay area, nd to get him back in fold.
Stringer E: … covers new york for us
Stringer F: … he’s been covering los angeles for us and hasn’t been paid since September.
(note lists five others without comment)
New York Sports
Jan. 14, 1993
Geimann
Is there anything we can tell stringers?? I have to deal with our north jersey guy today on two (2) major stories, one of which will prolly be ntl skedder. Wud be nice if I can tell him something, especially if it’s something accurate and not like the last time when I tld him he was on the list and then he never got anything. Thanks et chrs. Trenton
Trenton
We’re working on the stringer issue right now, and I hope to have a time schedule later today for paying the key stringers. If he’s critical, we should be able to get something to him by early next week. But I won’t know exactly until later today. Which stringer are you talking to? Chrs. Geimann-wa
feb. 2, 1993
lengthy note to Bob Kennedy, Middle East broadcasting associates, and Steve Geimann, executive editor, UPI
Gentlemen
As journalists and bureau chiefs dedicated to the survival and prosperity of UPI, we have become increasingly concerned over the growing financial, personnel and morale problems that are pushing the EuroMedAf Division of United Press International to the verge of collapse.
We have endured pay cuts, staff shortages and other hardships because we share a belief in the need and purpose of this venerable institution.
……
Most disturbing — and the problem closest to our hearts — is that stringers and local staff, who enable UPI to produce a viable news report, are going unpaid. All are giving their time and skills, and some are risking their lives, for UPI. One has just been severely injured. We were appalled to learn that neither this person nor his assistant had been paid for months for covering the world’s most dangerous story.
Stringers and local staff must pay rent, buy food and support their families. Some have already stopped writing, severely hampering our work. Just one example is the European sports service, once our best seller in Europe, which is a shadow of its former self because the stringer network is collapsing.
……
The note was signed by bureau chiefs in Warsaw, Paris, Rome, Athens, Johannesburg, Belgrade, Bonn, London, Jerusalem, Moscow, Cairo and Beirut.
Feb. 23, 1993
Have received repeated phone calls from ... croation airlines who booked and paid for sullivan’s flights et is owed 2,447 pounds. He is becoming increasingly desperate as his calls to the upi office in the states are not returned.
Mr. XXX was more than helpful in making arrangements for Kevin for which he charged no extra. Eye wud therefore be very grateful if u cud return his calls.
U guaranteed the flights with ur credit card (American Express) which croation airlines was then not able to accept. Eye checked at the time with both u, david moyer et yur secretary that XXXXX wud be paid. Having spent mene hours arranging the details of kevin’s evacuation from yugo, it seems unfair to have to spend mene more hours fending off creditors. Cheers,
Feb. 26, 1993
Geimann responded in a telephone call saying that their letter went over his head by going to XXX and “that could create problems for him. That although he hears our concern and frustration, the option you exercised may actually backfire and upset ongoing negotiations (among the owners) re finalizing the business plan. he said they were very close to completing the business plan, and that when it is accepted by the owners it will include the money necessary to operate the company. I asked if the plan will be ready in a couple of weeks as I had gathered from the upi newser last Friday. A couple weeks is a fairer estimate, he said, but some details need to be completed. Other comments he made during this call, which was rather unpleasant, indicate he is not privy to those talks. He says the owners are putting their resources in the future. But he gave no indication whether that meant back bills would be paid.
1993
steve: is there anything you can do for XXXX? Dave says we owe him money for the book packages going back to September. As you know, he’s been doing the reviews on a regular basis. Even a partial payment would be nice. Cheers.
Geimann-ntl
Stringer is XXX …yes, it’s critical. But at this point, I’m not sure how to define critical given company’s recent pattern of stiffing people. XXXX has also been owed $$$ for months. Chrs. Trenton
Undated
Brightbill, martin x-koza
Here is the dreadful situation of today in Eastern Europe: Warsaw
1. Warsaw staffer quit Friday, effective July 13. she is going to AP where she will make 220 percent of what she makes now. This leaves us without a staffer as well as our accountant.
2. part-timer “hurt his back” and is expected to be out all week, which coincidentally is the week of exams where he is a teacher. This is the eighth week this year he has not worked for us for one reason or another. Last week he took off to care for his mother-in-law. This gives u an idea of where UPI is on his list of priorities. Frankly, it’s justified, because he is not being paid his pitiful salary on time by London.
3. this leaves XXX as our only staffer. He is trying to juggle full-time work at UPI with a one- or two-day-a-week job elsewhere that pays him the same salary we do.
4. under these circumstances, we will shortly be going to reduced operating hours in Warsaw.
5. our landlord, faced with a blizzard of bankruptcy court documents, is threatening to cancel our lease unless we write a letter saying we intend to continue renting the premises. Bogdon and I have taken it upon ourselves to promise them that if UPI goes bankrupt, we will be willing to take over the office. We are told that will get them off our back.
6. pap did not pay us for UPI services this month. That means we will probably no longer be getting dlrs 2,600 a month from them. Cash in hand today stands at dlrs 200.
Vienna
7. as you see by XXX’s letter, she is doing the job of three full-time people and hasn’t been paid since March. I am surprised she didn’t switch into low gear weeks ago, as she announced she is doing today. I chalk it up to extreme and extraordinary dedication. Besides her back pay, she deserves a medal for what she’s done for this company and what she’s been through because of it.
Hungary
8. Erika XXX has not worked since returning from vacation three weeks ago. She cannot afford to. We owe her dlrs 1,000 in back telephone bills, plus her retainer which hasn’t been paid for three months. She says as much as she loves UPI, she cannot afford to work for us anymore. She is trying to find some other way to pay those phone bills.
Czechoslovakia
9. peter XXX went to Yugoslavia this week for a string that pays him. This leaves no one for us in Czechoslovakia as the country is splitting up. We had to let XXXX go two months ago, to free up some money hopefully to get peter some of his back pay. I am too embarrassed to call the one other person I used to count on in a pinch, XXXX, because I fear London has not paid him the invoice he sent to London several times billing us for the piddling amount of approx 185 pounds of work over the past 2 ½ years. He said all he sought was a little recognition of his work, but we can’t even manage that.
Bulgaria
10. I know you are well aware of Vladimir’s problems. He cannot pay his phone bills either.
Yugoslavia
11. staffer XXXXX and XXXXX are both owed some back pay — XXXXX for two months I believe.
(Belgrade is of course a major priority, and I have some suggestions on how to make an impossible situation a little less impossible, when you have the chance to consider them)
in short, our Eastern Europe network, which took six years to build, has collapsed
rgds
Warsaw
Mr. Rosso
Hi. Having payment problems … Accounting says payment posted March 5. But U.S, bank say cheque has not been received. Would it be possible if you inquire and cross-check following info?
(provides bank information)
ablest and cheers,
(Athens)
March 23, 1998
Dear Mr. Adams,
It is my rule to never lose temper, until detrimental to keep it. And such is the present case.
For months, I have rigorously reported on every newsworthy event that has emerged from this increasingly intriguing part of the globe. Indeed, over 100 stories datelined from Athens contributed to the “I” in “UPI” since December.
The response? Not a penny’s payment.
If the organization does not envisage its renaissance as an international news agency, then it should insulate its isolationism and discourage rather than encourage stringer contributions.
But, should the contrary be the case, UPI must stand by the financial obligations of sustaining a small legion of foreign correspondents.
I look forward to your response and the organization’s payment of pending reporting fees from Athens.
Feb. 19, 1999
Susan Older, John Walston, Tobin Beck
Folks,
Stringers are understandably running out of patience. I deal with them on a daily basis — not to field their queries about their pay, but to handle the copy that they have contributed. And I hope that word “contributed” isn’t translated too literally. Take a look at the flow of copy from overseas — the death of King Hussein, Kosovo in France and Yugoslavia, and now Ocalan — all over the world. This copy wasn’t generated by the Focus Desk. It was generated by dedicated, hard-working journalists. And despite not being paid, some for months, they continue to put out, they continue to ask what more they can do, and, as an aside, “Dave, any word on pay?” The old UPI didn’t pay stringers. I was hoping the new UPI really would be new. These folks need to be able to depend on timely, regular pay checks. They have the same financial obligations that we have and not one of us would sit back and be happy missing several pay checks with no word when — or if — a check is forthcoming.
Rosso
Feb. 20, 1999
Dave:
Have u got any idea wot’s goin on with the string pay delay? Is it the usual once (or twice) a year major month or more delay for reasons beyond understanding — or is something more significant going on? As I look back on my records for the past couple years, I notice the January, February and March period of each year is full of delay -- with the traditional impact of extending by at least one month the overall cash flow. Like Anthony, my accounts show that all effort which I produced for UPI after the close of November last year remains unpaid.
Paris
Feb. 25, 1999
Hi Dave
It’s XXX in Amman. Hope you’re well. Just wanted to confirm something by Monday, when I bill UPI for Feb. I agreed with Chris Long when I was rehired that I would be getting $50 per story and $25 per spot. Up until this month, I didn’t file any spots on their own, and have a lot this month with King Hussein’s death and funeral coverage, in addition to Iraq statements on bombings. Just want to make sure that this still stands when I invoice UPI on Monday. Please confirm. Also, thnx for your msg yesterday on the checks. I just wish I knew what was going on inside, whether the management is having second thoughts about your very few stringers who are talking a huge load, or if they’re thinking of rehiring full-time, or whether they’re just going to let us all go again. If you hear anything thru the grapevines on status of stringers, pls let me know, so am prepared for what’s coming. I’ve been thru this ordeal so many times since 1990. I get a feeling they’re finding they’re not saving money by having fired all of us in Dec. 97, or are they? Anything uu know wud help me.
Thanks et rgds
(Amman)
Aug. 9, 1999
Note from David Fisher in UPI finance to Sajid Rizvi:
We have $1,900 for June. No stringer payments have been made, and I do not have an expected date for release.
Dave
Hi,
Re. Your message of 8-26 asking me to submit invoices for stories done in August by Sept. 1: e-mailed Tobin Beck, the guardian of the purse, and asked for the current rate. Since I haven’t heard anything yet (and don’t know whether there is an assistant purse keeper at your office whom I can ask), I am assuming that the rate is still $150 per story, same as back in April when I filed some stories for you. If there were any rate changes in the meantime, such as an INCREASE (yeah, right), you will let me know, won’t you. I will be sending you an invoice tomorrow by e-mail.
Also: another thing I haven’t heard from Tobin yet is whether you want me to continue sending updates on daily basis — or on whatever basis the story warrants — or whether you want me to quit anytime soon. I am quite happy to continue, but would like to know that you want me to do this.
Thanks for getting back to me on that; this way I’ll know these messages don’t end up in the big black hole,
(Geneva)
Aug. 31, 1999
Dave,
Despite much discussion back and forth about rates, I still haven’t heard from Tobin Beck. Since you asked me to submit this invoice by Sept. 1, which, at least on this side of the ocean is tomorrow, I am assuming that the rate of $150 per story is still current and valid. So that’s what I’m invoicing.
It was a pleasure, and I’ll keep in touch.
Geneva
Sept. 27, 1999
Dave,
Since none of my emails were answered lately, I’m not planning on submitting any more story suggestions, until and unless I hear something back. So, I’m going to submit my invoice for the stories I did in September as soon as you confirm that the rate of $150 per story still stands.
Thanks,
(Geneva)
Oct. 1, 1999
Hi — UPI is a private, independent news company that has subscribers. Our fastest growing area of business is providing news to websites. We are planning to expand our coverage of international issues, particularly analysis and depth coverage of economics and finance, science and technology, environment, global politics, defense and so on. We have staff and editors primarily in Washington, and rely mainly on stringers for coverage of events outside the United States.
Tobin Beck
Oct. 21, 1999
p.s. If I am screamed at by anyone other than you, Lisa or Karen will scream right back, as july pay is STILL NOT HERE!!! I am not complaining in the least, just stating a fact.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
All: This Is My Last Day - Chapter 12
CHAPTER 12
UPI Radio started in 1958 as UPI Audio and became the UPI Radio Network in 1983. In my early years, I worked what was called the deep onite – the deep overnight, usually 11 p.m. until 7 a.m. the next morning. During that shift I was often called upon to record a spot for the hourly broadcast. I would get a call from New York, which was our headquarters at the time, and asked to give them a bit for the day’s Nixon story. The story was usually around 600 words long and my task was to boil it down into a 25- to 30-second summation.
Once I had my paragraph ready, I went into a sound-proof booth, called New York and told them I was ready. I would turn on the microphone, give a voice level and start reading.
“Not bad, Dave. A bit long, can you shorten it some?” I’d take it back and shave a few words and back into the booth.
Then it wasn’t the length that was the problem; it was me. My voice was good. My enthusiasm needed a kick.
“Uh, not bad, Dave, can you try again and get a little excitement into it?”
After about the fifth time, I’d get, “OK, Dave, we’ll be able to work with it.” I was not broadcast material.
I learned early on to admire broadcast people. Once, while covering a court-martial of a blind Navy heart surgeon – really – I had to use a break in the proceedings to call in a fresh lead to my story. I went into the media room, sat in front of a telephone and started poring through my notes. While immersed in my scribbling, a man with one of the networks came in, sat down next to me, picked up a phone and started dictating, “On the third day of Commander Billig’s court-martial …” And on he went, without a pause. I sat with my mouth open and thought, “How the hell did he do that?”
In 1996, I found myself working closely with the radio folks – literally. The news desk was placed in the same room and right behind the main broadcast station.
Shortly after the news side moved in, I was not paying attention to the radio guys and was reading a rather bad lead to a story and let out a loud, “God dammit!”
Rod Bower was at the helm in front of me and when he finished talking, he turned to me and said, “Congratulations, Dave, you just made your first live broadcast.”
I learned to watch the clock.
I also learned how the radio folks worked. They let me interview people while taping. Typical print guy, I was, interjecting with my own, “oh, really,” “Yeah, I understand,” “uh, huh.” When the interview was over, I learned another broadcast lesson: Shut up. Every time I said something, they had to cut it from the tape.
Peter Burns was a veteran radio man when he caused a bit of a stir at UPI on Christmas Eve 1997. I'll let the message from an irate listener tell what happened:
From: Richard Boverie
December 24, 1997
CC: Sunday School Bd-So. Bapt; catholic email exchange; catholic news service; rev billy graham; senator kennedy
RE: PC
TO: UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL
On the 4:00 a.m. radio news this morning, UPI’s Peter Burns, who normally is very solid, referred to “this multicultural holiday season.” My guess is that the ACLU, Senator Kennedy and others of their ilk applaud this formulation which ignores that dreaded word “Christmas,” but as for me I gagged when I heard it.
Merry Christmas
Richard Boverie
West Palm Beach, Florida
This complaint seemed laughable. However, UPI CEO James Adams took it seriously and sent this missive to the radio folks:
From: James Adams
If one of our reporters really used the words “multicultural holiday season,” he should be politely told that Christmas is Christmas, Kwanza is Kwanza and Hanakah is Hanakah. Say what you mean, be precise. Lesson one. Or do we need to send our reporters back to school??? J
Ah, yes, how to endear yourself to the staff.
While UPI managed to survive, UPI Radio was sold out of existence in 1999. But there were signs of its impending doom early on. Jim Russell, who worked in UPI audio in Washington, Saigon and New York, related his departure in February 1971.
I left UPI and UPI Audio before the end, but I distinctly remember my last day. Backing up a little, I had just spent 18 months in Vietnam and Cambodia, and was offered an extended tour in Phnom Penh. My salary was $10,000 and, as I tell my kids, even in those days that was piss poor money. Regarding Phnom Penh, I got into an argument with UPI because they didn’t want to pay me a "war differential" because there was no declared war in Cambodia! That and the fact that I had a three-month-old baby born in Saigon … led me and my wife to decline UPI’s offer and return to the States.
However, there was no room for me in the Washington, D.C., UPI Audio bureau from whence I had come before the war; the best they could do was the overnight ("lobster") shift at NXA (New York Audio). I was living in Central Jersey, the closest I could afford, and commuting three hours a day on a Greyhound bus into the Port Authority at 11 p.m. each night! I asked for a small raise and was told that "you can be replaced with a warm body." In 1971, I applied for and got a job at the brand new National Public Radio – one of their first three reporters.
On my very last day, I found myself going down in the Daily News elevator with Pete Willett (general manager of broadcast services) and an even bigger UPI big shot whose name I have forgotten. Willett introduced me as "one of our very bright young men." He didn’t add, "very bright young men on his way out."
A postscript. My replacement in Phnom Penh, the non-war zone, was Frank Frosch. He was dead a month after he replaced me, shot at close range on a road I had often traveled on.
Morale? Sometimes, there’s a reason why you gotta go. I went on to produce and later executive produce NPR’s All Things Considered and help develop Morning Edition. Yet I have always had a soft spot in my heart for the incredibly hard-working scrappy characters I knew at UPI and UPI Audio. It was the best training ground I ever had. It taught me how to write and report, and how to do so fast and accurately. And it taught me how to compete as David against Goliath. Thank you, UPI and colleagues.
Cheers all,
Jim Russell
On Aug. 19, 1999, UPI lost its radio department — the voices of UPI.
Tom Foty, a long-time veteran of UPI Radio and UPI Audio, put it well in an article for Radio World:
"A quarter century ago, Americans heard a president of the United States resign his office. ... Almost to the day, twenty-five years later, UPI resigned itself as a broadcast news service."
On the last day of this part of UPI, I started with my farewell to them with a bit of theft:
All
Good morning!
Drink with me to days gone by
To the life that used to be
At the shrine of friendship
Never say die
Let the wine of friendship
Never run dry
Here’s to you
And here’s to me
Of all the farewells I have seen over the past 30 years, this amputation stings above all. We have said goodbye to friends — members of the UPI family. But now we say goodbye to friends and a tradition, a history, a legacy, a proud chapter.
Goodbye to Rod Bower, Neal Augenstein, Jim Burns, Dennis Daily, Tom Delach, Dana Carl, Pye Chamberlayne, Warren Corbett, Don Fulsom, Sharon Gotkin, Greg Haber, John Meagley, Craig Smith, Shirley Smith, Dmitri Sotis, Andrew Stewart, Larry Webb, Dave Winslow, Myra Lopez, Peter “multi-cultural holiday” Burn, and all the others outside Washington who served well.
And we remember Bill Clough, Diane Kepley, Ed Silk, Bobbie Murphy, Carol Van Dam, Gene Gibbons, Bill Greenwood, Ted Shields, Dennis Gulino, Roger Gittines, Merrilee Cox, Vicky Barker, Bonnie Erbe, Tom Foty, and many, many more.
To all, we say goodbye, well done, good luck and, above all, THANK YOU!!
Rosso-wa
Rosso-wa
Morn. Well said. Haskell-bh (Boston)
Rosso
Nice sentiments, thanks. It’s a strange and uncomfortable feeling. I started with UPI in June 1968, but going through my files ystd I found a memo from only 5 years ago from the “UPI travel department,” reminding people that UPI “can provide employees and their families with the same discounts we receive for our corporate travel.” In hindsight, what a rapid decline it has been. Thanks for your help and your good humor. It’s been a wild ride.
Jay-sm (Cleveland)
Allpoints
(farewell) as UPI radio becomes an asterisk in the company’s history, I’d like to take a moment to personally thank everyone who cheerfully put their “real work” aside, and responded in the affirmative to the question, “can we do a little something for radio?” it was your generous contributions that made our tiny radio operation into a network. For those of you who ever answered a question when it wasn’t convenient, shared a tidbit of background on a story, or passed along a foner, thanks again for the kindness. It’s been fun, everyday. I’ll miss you all! Neal (Augenstein-Washington)
aug-
well said. Stay in touch. Kelsey-dx (Denver)
augenstein
best of luck to you, neal, and to rod, dmitri and all other radioers. I had no confidence in doing radio spots at first because of my false teeth rattling around in my mouth, but you folks helped me through it, and I thank you. Rgds. Haskell-bh
augenstein
will miss working with you, neal, and all of our radio shock troops. It was fun. If I can, will try to stop in before end of the day if you’re receiving visitors. Rgds. Kirk
augenstein
ur smooth, cool q&a voice amidst breaking stris always helped me gain fresh perspective and improve the report. Thnx, neal, and thnx for putting up w me. All the best. Chrs. Johnson-du (Detroit)
all
I’ve agonized over this message for days and rather than ply you with weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth, I’ve settled on sharing with you the two things I will miss the most about UPI.
First, is the constant challenge and competition with colleagues to come up with the blackest, sickest humor anyone could imagine in any given situation (hey, it’s like UPI — if you take it seriously it will kill you).
Second, is the daily interaction with folks who over the years have become my second family. We’ve celebrated triumphs and mourned disasters together, we’ve watched our kids grow up and colleagues grow old and die. We’ve leaned on each other to conquer each new adversity UPI threw our way and now we wish each other well as we turn off the mic for the last time. And despite the promises and back-slapping, many of us know in our hearts that after today, the chances are very good that we’ll probably never see each other again, for as much as we’ve suffered together, it will seem empty.
Good luck everyone. Never forget you were part of a proud tradition. And I do want to tell you how proud I’ve been to represent you on labor issues with the company. I’ll never regret when all those years ago I resolved that I could not in good conscience criticize our working conditions and at the same time do nothing about them.
Tnx in advance and rgds, bower-waa
All
After almost 20 years of stringing for UPI radio (and the religion feed), it’s hard to believe this day has arrived. I’m proud to have played a small part in the network’s larger body of work. I would notnot have contributed as much over the years if it had not been for the professionalism, friendship and spirit of everyone at the radio desk, including those past names mentioned elsewhere this morning. I was always proud to hear the network’s cuts or newscasts in far-flung and/or remote places and was particularly pleased when technology finally permitted filing audio by e-mail. Despite all the vagaries of this business, I really never thought that the radio network would disappear. My worn-out UPI mic flag symbolizes a heck of a good product churned out by the network 24/7 year after year after year. All the best to everyone. Please stay in touch. Time for the outcue, lest this become a V-F instead of a V.
“Mike Cooper, Atlanta.”
Rosso-wa. Well said, indeed. Let’s not forget Bill Small, Tom Gauger, Howard Dicus, Barbara Campbell, Jim Ludwin, Ken Robbins.
Nason-hc (Los Angeles)
Neal (who’s that tall guy asking the embarrassingly germaine question?) augenstein, et all. It’s bin a pleasure with you folks. U are pros. Bennett-hc
All-waa. It’s been a blast. Being part of the upi radio network has been one of the great pleasures of my life. You may know that the company has decided to keep me, to write and edit entertainment features. It’s a lucky break for me, but it doesn’t change the fact that, as of 12:50 today, I’m out of radio. I’ll miss it, and I’ll miss working with the fine group of pros who made UPI radio what it was. Chrs. Nason-hca
All-waa
Unfortunately, because of the bodily stiffness eye’m going thru after my car accident Tuesday, eye will be unable to make the party this afternoon. However, please know that eye will be there in spirit.
As rosso sed earlier, this is a cut that hurts deeply. In the past, when cutbacks have been made, we all got angry and upset because good people were put out of work and we didn’t understand why. This situation is especially personal for me because eye’ve worked with and known many of you for a very long time. Eye really shudnt single anyone out, but, of the current lot, Rod, Larry, Shirley and Pye know more about what we’ve been thru in the 14 years eye’ve been with UPI more than anyone else and eye believe they can recall episodes that make me say that.
(btw, mr. Bower—how is it that we will no longer utter our special hello greeting that only you and eye could do? You know how we do — that name calling thing? Even now, eye have a smile on my face because we did it for so long that eye still get a kick out of it.)
at any rate, in the current and next reorg plan, my days may also be numbered. Eye’ve been out of work b4, once when eye had no choice and the other time when eye didn’t. even tho eye didn’t worry then and eye’m not worried now about it, it can be a daunting thing for some. All eye can tell you is have faith, trust in God and he’ll work it out.
All of u have talent that makes you employable, even if it is not in this business. Remember and have confidence in that as you search for and then move on to your next endeavour (MYRA, did you get that?) the absolute best of luck to all of you.
Colbert-was
Foty recalled many historic moments -- Pye Chamberlain on Nixon, Alan Dawson in his last broadcast from Saigon, Carole Van Dam in Washington, Bill Small at the White House.
Shirley Smith was on the air:
Hello affiliates, it’s time for a newscast, possibly the very last one we have here at UPI Radio, the last full one …. On a personal note now, this is the final day of operations at UPI Radio. The UPI Radio network will cease to exist and service will be transferred to AP. I know that I speak for all of us in the broadcast division when I say that it has been an honor to be associated with such a professional and historic organization.
Rod Bower:
This is the UPI Radio network in Washington with the 12:10 p.m. eastern time network hourly news feed. The final news feed. New materials on the feed, cuts 63 through 66.
The last actual news cut:
Cut 65. Close friends, including Vernon Jordan, are awaiting the president’s arrival on Martha’s Vineyard to celebrate his 53rd birthday. Before leaving, White House staffers are expected to give Clinton a gift at a private low-keyed gathering. The president’s wife and daughter are accompanying him to the vineyards. The family will spend a week on the island, their favorite vacation spot, then make a brief trip to the Hamptons on Long Island before going on to their final vacation spot, the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. The president will be taking along his golf clubs and a half dozen or so books.
Don Fulsom, the White House.
Fulsom had started with UPI in 1967.
Craig Smith, who began in 1971, “effectively put out the lights,” as Foty put it.
One final story. This is the last broadcast from UPI Radio. United Press International is getting out of the radio business and has sold its contracts to Associated Press Radio. For those of us suddenly out of work, it has been fun. We feel UPI Radio has done its job well over all, even as we struggled with fewer and fewer resources. So, we sign off now with smiles, memories, a few tears, but no regrets. I’m Craig Smith.
After a few sound bites from radio archives, Foty strung together sign offs from familiar Unipressers:
Ed Kerins, New York; Tom Foty at the White House; Merrilee Cox, Washington; This is Bill Greenwood in Washington; Gene Gibbons at the White House; this is Brian McFadden in New York; I’m Camile Bohannon; Greg Haber, New York; I’m Paul Westpheling on business;
Good morning, everybody, I’m Bob Berger; I’m Andy Pollin, and that’s my side; Howard Dicus, UPI Radio News; I’m Sofia Manos on business; This is David Oziel at the editor’s desk with Daybook; This is Roger Gittines; I’m Nick Charles; Charles Van Dyke, UPI Radio News;
This is Ben Dudley; This is Ed Ingles; This is Bill Rozinski; This is Art McAloon in New York; I’m Ron Amadon; This is Jack Anderson in Washington; This is Mike Aulabaugh talking about your money; This is Sonja Hillgren with Farm Focus; this is Michael O’Neil; this is Vernon Scott in Hollywood; I’m John Tautges, that’s my side; this is Ken Robinson at the editor’s desk;
Bill Small at the White House; Bob Fuss, Los Angeles; Carol Brooks, London; Ginny Kosola, Chicago; Bonnie Erbe, Capitol Hill; Bob Brill, Los Angeles; Rob Navias at the Kennedy Space Center; Kate Murphy, Washington; Vicki Barker with the Bush campaign in Rockford, Illinois; Tom Rivers, London; this is Bob Keel’s Almanac; I’m Mike Freedman; Don Rollins, UPI Radio News;
this is Don McKay, London; I’m Diane Burr; I’m Ken Herrera; this is Gerry Scott; Craig Smith, UPI Radio News; this is Barbara Campbell; I’m Larry Webb; Al Rossiter Junior, Washington; this is Bob Hewitt; I’m Lou Giserman; I’m Jim Ludwin; I’m Barbara Porter; I’m Dennis Daily; I’m Jay Sapir; This is Carol Van Dam; Rod Bower, Washington; Sharon Gotkin, UPI Radio News;
Hi, this is Ron Colbert; I’m Bob Jones; this is Herbert Gordon speaking for United Press International; this is Scott Peters, United Press International at the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston; this is Bill Reilly, United Press International, in Chicago; this is Dick Growald in Moscow; this is Chuck Langston, United Press International with a look at Washington today;
This is Stan Harold; technical director is Frank Sciortino, this is Morrie Trumble; Roger Norum, United Press International at the United Nations; Don Fulsom, United Press International, Washington;
Milt Fullerton, Washington; from the World Desk of United Press International this is Jim Lounsbury; Helen Thomas at the White House; this is Pye Chamberlain and that’s news.
UPI Radio started in 1958 as UPI Audio and became the UPI Radio Network in 1983. In my early years, I worked what was called the deep onite – the deep overnight, usually 11 p.m. until 7 a.m. the next morning. During that shift I was often called upon to record a spot for the hourly broadcast. I would get a call from New York, which was our headquarters at the time, and asked to give them a bit for the day’s Nixon story. The story was usually around 600 words long and my task was to boil it down into a 25- to 30-second summation.
Once I had my paragraph ready, I went into a sound-proof booth, called New York and told them I was ready. I would turn on the microphone, give a voice level and start reading.
“Not bad, Dave. A bit long, can you shorten it some?” I’d take it back and shave a few words and back into the booth.
Then it wasn’t the length that was the problem; it was me. My voice was good. My enthusiasm needed a kick.
“Uh, not bad, Dave, can you try again and get a little excitement into it?”
After about the fifth time, I’d get, “OK, Dave, we’ll be able to work with it.” I was not broadcast material.
I learned early on to admire broadcast people. Once, while covering a court-martial of a blind Navy heart surgeon – really – I had to use a break in the proceedings to call in a fresh lead to my story. I went into the media room, sat in front of a telephone and started poring through my notes. While immersed in my scribbling, a man with one of the networks came in, sat down next to me, picked up a phone and started dictating, “On the third day of Commander Billig’s court-martial …” And on he went, without a pause. I sat with my mouth open and thought, “How the hell did he do that?”
In 1996, I found myself working closely with the radio folks – literally. The news desk was placed in the same room and right behind the main broadcast station.
Shortly after the news side moved in, I was not paying attention to the radio guys and was reading a rather bad lead to a story and let out a loud, “God dammit!”
Rod Bower was at the helm in front of me and when he finished talking, he turned to me and said, “Congratulations, Dave, you just made your first live broadcast.”
I learned to watch the clock.
I also learned how the radio folks worked. They let me interview people while taping. Typical print guy, I was, interjecting with my own, “oh, really,” “Yeah, I understand,” “uh, huh.” When the interview was over, I learned another broadcast lesson: Shut up. Every time I said something, they had to cut it from the tape.
Peter Burns was a veteran radio man when he caused a bit of a stir at UPI on Christmas Eve 1997. I'll let the message from an irate listener tell what happened:
From: Richard Boverie
December 24, 1997
CC: Sunday School Bd-So. Bapt; catholic email exchange; catholic news service; rev billy graham; senator kennedy
RE: PC
TO: UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL
On the 4:00 a.m. radio news this morning, UPI’s Peter Burns, who normally is very solid, referred to “this multicultural holiday season.” My guess is that the ACLU, Senator Kennedy and others of their ilk applaud this formulation which ignores that dreaded word “Christmas,” but as for me I gagged when I heard it.
Merry Christmas
Richard Boverie
West Palm Beach, Florida
This complaint seemed laughable. However, UPI CEO James Adams took it seriously and sent this missive to the radio folks:
From: James Adams
If one of our reporters really used the words “multicultural holiday season,” he should be politely told that Christmas is Christmas, Kwanza is Kwanza and Hanakah is Hanakah. Say what you mean, be precise. Lesson one. Or do we need to send our reporters back to school??? J
Ah, yes, how to endear yourself to the staff.
While UPI managed to survive, UPI Radio was sold out of existence in 1999. But there were signs of its impending doom early on. Jim Russell, who worked in UPI audio in Washington, Saigon and New York, related his departure in February 1971.
I left UPI and UPI Audio before the end, but I distinctly remember my last day. Backing up a little, I had just spent 18 months in Vietnam and Cambodia, and was offered an extended tour in Phnom Penh. My salary was $10,000 and, as I tell my kids, even in those days that was piss poor money. Regarding Phnom Penh, I got into an argument with UPI because they didn’t want to pay me a "war differential" because there was no declared war in Cambodia! That and the fact that I had a three-month-old baby born in Saigon … led me and my wife to decline UPI’s offer and return to the States.
However, there was no room for me in the Washington, D.C., UPI Audio bureau from whence I had come before the war; the best they could do was the overnight ("lobster") shift at NXA (New York Audio). I was living in Central Jersey, the closest I could afford, and commuting three hours a day on a Greyhound bus into the Port Authority at 11 p.m. each night! I asked for a small raise and was told that "you can be replaced with a warm body." In 1971, I applied for and got a job at the brand new National Public Radio – one of their first three reporters.
On my very last day, I found myself going down in the Daily News elevator with Pete Willett (general manager of broadcast services) and an even bigger UPI big shot whose name I have forgotten. Willett introduced me as "one of our very bright young men." He didn’t add, "very bright young men on his way out."
A postscript. My replacement in Phnom Penh, the non-war zone, was Frank Frosch. He was dead a month after he replaced me, shot at close range on a road I had often traveled on.
Morale? Sometimes, there’s a reason why you gotta go. I went on to produce and later executive produce NPR’s All Things Considered and help develop Morning Edition. Yet I have always had a soft spot in my heart for the incredibly hard-working scrappy characters I knew at UPI and UPI Audio. It was the best training ground I ever had. It taught me how to write and report, and how to do so fast and accurately. And it taught me how to compete as David against Goliath. Thank you, UPI and colleagues.
Cheers all,
Jim Russell
On Aug. 19, 1999, UPI lost its radio department — the voices of UPI.
Tom Foty, a long-time veteran of UPI Radio and UPI Audio, put it well in an article for Radio World:
"A quarter century ago, Americans heard a president of the United States resign his office. ... Almost to the day, twenty-five years later, UPI resigned itself as a broadcast news service."
On the last day of this part of UPI, I started with my farewell to them with a bit of theft:
All
Good morning!
Drink with me to days gone by
To the life that used to be
At the shrine of friendship
Never say die
Let the wine of friendship
Never run dry
Here’s to you
And here’s to me
Of all the farewells I have seen over the past 30 years, this amputation stings above all. We have said goodbye to friends — members of the UPI family. But now we say goodbye to friends and a tradition, a history, a legacy, a proud chapter.
Goodbye to Rod Bower, Neal Augenstein, Jim Burns, Dennis Daily, Tom Delach, Dana Carl, Pye Chamberlayne, Warren Corbett, Don Fulsom, Sharon Gotkin, Greg Haber, John Meagley, Craig Smith, Shirley Smith, Dmitri Sotis, Andrew Stewart, Larry Webb, Dave Winslow, Myra Lopez, Peter “multi-cultural holiday” Burn, and all the others outside Washington who served well.
And we remember Bill Clough, Diane Kepley, Ed Silk, Bobbie Murphy, Carol Van Dam, Gene Gibbons, Bill Greenwood, Ted Shields, Dennis Gulino, Roger Gittines, Merrilee Cox, Vicky Barker, Bonnie Erbe, Tom Foty, and many, many more.
To all, we say goodbye, well done, good luck and, above all, THANK YOU!!
Rosso-wa
Rosso-wa
Morn. Well said. Haskell-bh (Boston)
Rosso
Nice sentiments, thanks. It’s a strange and uncomfortable feeling. I started with UPI in June 1968, but going through my files ystd I found a memo from only 5 years ago from the “UPI travel department,” reminding people that UPI “can provide employees and their families with the same discounts we receive for our corporate travel.” In hindsight, what a rapid decline it has been. Thanks for your help and your good humor. It’s been a wild ride.
Jay-sm (Cleveland)
Allpoints
(farewell) as UPI radio becomes an asterisk in the company’s history, I’d like to take a moment to personally thank everyone who cheerfully put their “real work” aside, and responded in the affirmative to the question, “can we do a little something for radio?” it was your generous contributions that made our tiny radio operation into a network. For those of you who ever answered a question when it wasn’t convenient, shared a tidbit of background on a story, or passed along a foner, thanks again for the kindness. It’s been fun, everyday. I’ll miss you all! Neal (Augenstein-Washington)
aug-
well said. Stay in touch. Kelsey-dx (Denver)
augenstein
best of luck to you, neal, and to rod, dmitri and all other radioers. I had no confidence in doing radio spots at first because of my false teeth rattling around in my mouth, but you folks helped me through it, and I thank you. Rgds. Haskell-bh
augenstein
will miss working with you, neal, and all of our radio shock troops. It was fun. If I can, will try to stop in before end of the day if you’re receiving visitors. Rgds. Kirk
augenstein
ur smooth, cool q&a voice amidst breaking stris always helped me gain fresh perspective and improve the report. Thnx, neal, and thnx for putting up w me. All the best. Chrs. Johnson-du (Detroit)
all
I’ve agonized over this message for days and rather than ply you with weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth, I’ve settled on sharing with you the two things I will miss the most about UPI.
First, is the constant challenge and competition with colleagues to come up with the blackest, sickest humor anyone could imagine in any given situation (hey, it’s like UPI — if you take it seriously it will kill you).
Second, is the daily interaction with folks who over the years have become my second family. We’ve celebrated triumphs and mourned disasters together, we’ve watched our kids grow up and colleagues grow old and die. We’ve leaned on each other to conquer each new adversity UPI threw our way and now we wish each other well as we turn off the mic for the last time. And despite the promises and back-slapping, many of us know in our hearts that after today, the chances are very good that we’ll probably never see each other again, for as much as we’ve suffered together, it will seem empty.
Good luck everyone. Never forget you were part of a proud tradition. And I do want to tell you how proud I’ve been to represent you on labor issues with the company. I’ll never regret when all those years ago I resolved that I could not in good conscience criticize our working conditions and at the same time do nothing about them.
Tnx in advance and rgds, bower-waa
All
After almost 20 years of stringing for UPI radio (and the religion feed), it’s hard to believe this day has arrived. I’m proud to have played a small part in the network’s larger body of work. I would notnot have contributed as much over the years if it had not been for the professionalism, friendship and spirit of everyone at the radio desk, including those past names mentioned elsewhere this morning. I was always proud to hear the network’s cuts or newscasts in far-flung and/or remote places and was particularly pleased when technology finally permitted filing audio by e-mail. Despite all the vagaries of this business, I really never thought that the radio network would disappear. My worn-out UPI mic flag symbolizes a heck of a good product churned out by the network 24/7 year after year after year. All the best to everyone. Please stay in touch. Time for the outcue, lest this become a V-F instead of a V.
“Mike Cooper, Atlanta.”
Rosso-wa. Well said, indeed. Let’s not forget Bill Small, Tom Gauger, Howard Dicus, Barbara Campbell, Jim Ludwin, Ken Robbins.
Nason-hc (Los Angeles)
Neal (who’s that tall guy asking the embarrassingly germaine question?) augenstein, et all. It’s bin a pleasure with you folks. U are pros. Bennett-hc
All-waa. It’s been a blast. Being part of the upi radio network has been one of the great pleasures of my life. You may know that the company has decided to keep me, to write and edit entertainment features. It’s a lucky break for me, but it doesn’t change the fact that, as of 12:50 today, I’m out of radio. I’ll miss it, and I’ll miss working with the fine group of pros who made UPI radio what it was. Chrs. Nason-hca
All-waa
Unfortunately, because of the bodily stiffness eye’m going thru after my car accident Tuesday, eye will be unable to make the party this afternoon. However, please know that eye will be there in spirit.
As rosso sed earlier, this is a cut that hurts deeply. In the past, when cutbacks have been made, we all got angry and upset because good people were put out of work and we didn’t understand why. This situation is especially personal for me because eye’ve worked with and known many of you for a very long time. Eye really shudnt single anyone out, but, of the current lot, Rod, Larry, Shirley and Pye know more about what we’ve been thru in the 14 years eye’ve been with UPI more than anyone else and eye believe they can recall episodes that make me say that.
(btw, mr. Bower—how is it that we will no longer utter our special hello greeting that only you and eye could do? You know how we do — that name calling thing? Even now, eye have a smile on my face because we did it for so long that eye still get a kick out of it.)
at any rate, in the current and next reorg plan, my days may also be numbered. Eye’ve been out of work b4, once when eye had no choice and the other time when eye didn’t. even tho eye didn’t worry then and eye’m not worried now about it, it can be a daunting thing for some. All eye can tell you is have faith, trust in God and he’ll work it out.
All of u have talent that makes you employable, even if it is not in this business. Remember and have confidence in that as you search for and then move on to your next endeavour (MYRA, did you get that?) the absolute best of luck to all of you.
Colbert-was
Foty recalled many historic moments -- Pye Chamberlain on Nixon, Alan Dawson in his last broadcast from Saigon, Carole Van Dam in Washington, Bill Small at the White House.
Shirley Smith was on the air:
Hello affiliates, it’s time for a newscast, possibly the very last one we have here at UPI Radio, the last full one …. On a personal note now, this is the final day of operations at UPI Radio. The UPI Radio network will cease to exist and service will be transferred to AP. I know that I speak for all of us in the broadcast division when I say that it has been an honor to be associated with such a professional and historic organization.
Rod Bower:
This is the UPI Radio network in Washington with the 12:10 p.m. eastern time network hourly news feed. The final news feed. New materials on the feed, cuts 63 through 66.
The last actual news cut:
Cut 65. Close friends, including Vernon Jordan, are awaiting the president’s arrival on Martha’s Vineyard to celebrate his 53rd birthday. Before leaving, White House staffers are expected to give Clinton a gift at a private low-keyed gathering. The president’s wife and daughter are accompanying him to the vineyards. The family will spend a week on the island, their favorite vacation spot, then make a brief trip to the Hamptons on Long Island before going on to their final vacation spot, the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. The president will be taking along his golf clubs and a half dozen or so books.
Don Fulsom, the White House.
Fulsom had started with UPI in 1967.
Craig Smith, who began in 1971, “effectively put out the lights,” as Foty put it.
One final story. This is the last broadcast from UPI Radio. United Press International is getting out of the radio business and has sold its contracts to Associated Press Radio. For those of us suddenly out of work, it has been fun. We feel UPI Radio has done its job well over all, even as we struggled with fewer and fewer resources. So, we sign off now with smiles, memories, a few tears, but no regrets. I’m Craig Smith.
After a few sound bites from radio archives, Foty strung together sign offs from familiar Unipressers:
Ed Kerins, New York; Tom Foty at the White House; Merrilee Cox, Washington; This is Bill Greenwood in Washington; Gene Gibbons at the White House; this is Brian McFadden in New York; I’m Camile Bohannon; Greg Haber, New York; I’m Paul Westpheling on business;
Good morning, everybody, I’m Bob Berger; I’m Andy Pollin, and that’s my side; Howard Dicus, UPI Radio News; I’m Sofia Manos on business; This is David Oziel at the editor’s desk with Daybook; This is Roger Gittines; I’m Nick Charles; Charles Van Dyke, UPI Radio News;
This is Ben Dudley; This is Ed Ingles; This is Bill Rozinski; This is Art McAloon in New York; I’m Ron Amadon; This is Jack Anderson in Washington; This is Mike Aulabaugh talking about your money; This is Sonja Hillgren with Farm Focus; this is Michael O’Neil; this is Vernon Scott in Hollywood; I’m John Tautges, that’s my side; this is Ken Robinson at the editor’s desk;
Bill Small at the White House; Bob Fuss, Los Angeles; Carol Brooks, London; Ginny Kosola, Chicago; Bonnie Erbe, Capitol Hill; Bob Brill, Los Angeles; Rob Navias at the Kennedy Space Center; Kate Murphy, Washington; Vicki Barker with the Bush campaign in Rockford, Illinois; Tom Rivers, London; this is Bob Keel’s Almanac; I’m Mike Freedman; Don Rollins, UPI Radio News;
this is Don McKay, London; I’m Diane Burr; I’m Ken Herrera; this is Gerry Scott; Craig Smith, UPI Radio News; this is Barbara Campbell; I’m Larry Webb; Al Rossiter Junior, Washington; this is Bob Hewitt; I’m Lou Giserman; I’m Jim Ludwin; I’m Barbara Porter; I’m Dennis Daily; I’m Jay Sapir; This is Carol Van Dam; Rod Bower, Washington; Sharon Gotkin, UPI Radio News;
Hi, this is Ron Colbert; I’m Bob Jones; this is Herbert Gordon speaking for United Press International; this is Scott Peters, United Press International at the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston; this is Bill Reilly, United Press International, in Chicago; this is Dick Growald in Moscow; this is Chuck Langston, United Press International with a look at Washington today;
This is Stan Harold; technical director is Frank Sciortino, this is Morrie Trumble; Roger Norum, United Press International at the United Nations; Don Fulsom, United Press International, Washington;
Milt Fullerton, Washington; from the World Desk of United Press International this is Jim Lounsbury; Helen Thomas at the White House; this is Pye Chamberlain and that’s news.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
All: This Is My Last Day - Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
In 1993, Bill Clinton and his young crew moved into the White House. There was a bit of turmoil while the new administration felt its way into power. Clinton tried to deal with the press. I remember one so-called answer from Clinton at an Earth Summit news conference in Washington. He had been asked about the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States. His answer:
"Well, that's not the right way to ask the question. The question I can answer is, 'Would I have signed a treaty in 1992 which would have said by the year 2000, which is the end of the second term, that we would get back to 1990 levels of emission?' The answer to that is, yes, I would have been glad to sign that treaty, and I believe that would have created jobs in America and not cost jobs in America."
on 2-1-93:
Many times the hot news took a back seat to the run-of-the-mill and human interest stories.
Here is an exchange involving the First Cat in the Clinton administration. The New York bureau (NX) was asking about Socks the cat in an exchange with national editor (NTL) Jeffrey Reynolds with some input from me, Washington editor David Wiessler and White House (WHU) reporter Lori Santos:
Reynolds-ntl
Have we got socks, the cat, arriving washington via hillary's Oldsmobile driven to wa by friend of the family? Thanks. Newman-nx
Reynolds-ntl
Have we reported his arrival?
Newman-nx
Santos-whu
I'm passing on newman-reynolds message without comment. Rosso-desk
Wiessler
(socks) CBS network radio reporting arrival of socks in hillary's Oldsmobile and attendance at super bowl party yesterday. Do we have? Thanks. Newman-nx
newman-nx
(reynolds-ntl)
socks' formal debut at the whu yesterday was indeed mentioned in super-clinton sty, which was first sighting. There was not a separate, however, but cud offer details for people person today if desired.
Santos-whu
santos-whu
I am personally and journalistically allergic to cats, and they cannot appear in the people column as long as they walk on all fours and go to the bathroom in a box.
Reynolds-ntl
Santos-whu
Ur socks melted cold heart of reynolds and he is using in people column.
Wiessler
Wiessler
Reynolds always was a sucker for my copy. He hired me, after all.
Santos-whu
Santos-whu
But I didn't hire you to write shaggy cat stories.
Reynolds-ntl
Rosso-wa
Relieved to hear that socks is settling in to his new home. (also heard a good one about cats and dogs -- dogs come when you call. Cats take a number and say they'll get back to you. Burns-tr (Trenton)
Then there's this story filed 2-3-93, which shows that the White House beat is many times not at all glamorous:
Bc-clinton-watch
will he or won't he?
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- President Clinton left the Clinton watchers in the cold again Wednesday.
The press pool gathered outside the White House before dawn, ready to report on whether the chief executive went for his pre-dawn jog through the streets of the nation's capital.
They sat and waited. Inside a van. For two hours.
They saw the dawn of a new day, but not The Man.
They saw Socks, the first cat, being led around the White House grounds on a long leash.
They saw Clinton's daughter Chelsea dressed in blue jeans, leave the White House and get into a black car with her female Secret Service agent to go to school.
But they did not see the president of the United States run.
Perhaps it was Wednesday morning's below-freezing temperatures.
On Tuesday, when Clinton prepared to hit the road running, the temperature in downtown Washington was 14 degrees with a wind chill index of about 11 degrees below zero.
Clinton opted to skip his morning jog Tuesday and, instead, walked from the White House to the gym in the Executive Office Building next door to work out.
1993 was a year of ominous news all around. The new U.S. attorney general, Janet Reno, faced her toughest decision of her tenure when federal agents raided the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, ending a weeks-long seige. The compound caught fire and most of the cult members, including leader David Koresh and several children died. Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization -- represented by PLO leader Yasir Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin -- signed a peace accord. The North American Free Trade Agreement was signed between the United States and Canada and Mexico, Czechoslovakia split, an abortion doctor was shot and killed by an anti-abortion fanatic and Muslim fundamentalists bombed the World Trade Center in New York City, killing five people.
Shortly after 1993 began I was given the opportunity to send my own farewell message. I had gotten to the point where the frustration boiled over and I resorted to a practice that was characteristic of me and that was seldom the most prudent avenue — spontaneity. Before sending out my usual good morning “All” message, I sent an open letter to UPI management in which I vented much of the angst that had been building up within and throughout the company since the mid-1980s. I was prompted to write my message after reading the weekly neh500 file, a regular piece put out by management to laud the work of UPI. My message was greeted by an outpouring of responses from Unipressers who shared my concerns. I include many of them because they illustrate the undercurrents throbbing in the UPI infrastructure throughout the world.
6:12 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 25, 1993.
An open letter to UPI management:
Next week begins the ninth month since UPI was once again bailed out by new owners. time enough to give birth. or will there be a miscarriage?
I've never been shy about going out on a limb and this is no exception, because I believe I speak for a majority of my colleagues.
We are not getting the information we need. instead, we are reading a lot of signs that spell disaster — stringers throughout the system, worldwide, are not being paid; vendors are not being paid; phone lines are being disconnected; we are having trouble getting deliveries of essential equipment; medical claims are going ignored.
The reputation UPI now has is not the reputation it once had. stringers refuse to work for us because of the shabby treatment they have received. it may be very easy for people in offices far removed from the scene to consistently refuse to pay these people who have made it possible for us to continue to put out a news report. but the local bureau managers who hired them on good faith need to look them in the eye and need to wonder whom they can get in the future.
there is a big difference between the UPI of the "can do" determination that built this wire service into a first-class, respected organization and what we offer now.
we have been waiting for "the plan" for a long time — a very long time. it has been promised to us by many UPI administrations. We have given great chunks of our pay on the false promises of a brighter tomorrow. And tomorrow never seems to get here. We have given at the office and all we get in return is spin.
I think it is time that somebody levelled with us. Where do we stand now? What is our outlook?
I suggest that the next neh500 put aside the false, forced plaudits and deal with reality. It is past time for UPI management to be honest with the people who deliver the product.
rosso-wa
All: good morning. bumper sticker spotted yesterday: "it will be a great day when our schools get all the money they need and the air force has to hold a bake sale to buy a bomber." rosso-wa
rosso-wa
right on and amen. you probably already know about this. but several buros, including du (Detroit), recently were authorized to hire a temporary full-time staffer for nine weeks with the possible chance of the position becoming permanent once this mysterious "business plan" is announced. I contacted one of our former staffers who was laid off a couple years ago and is in real bad way financially. he was so desperate that he quit his job — not a good one, but at least a job — to return to UPI in the slim hope that it might turn into something permanent. the company approved it, it put him on the schedule and then Monday night I was called and told that UPI changed its mind and wasn't going to hire him after all. I was physically ill — literally — when told of this decision. needless to say, the guy who thought he was getting the job was pretty sick too. he's been doing a lot of stringing for us over the past couple years and hasn't received a dime in months. in my opinion this is immoral, unethical and possibly illegal.
UPI management (drop rosso): concur that dave speaks for me. concur also in hope that the next neh500 deal with the issue he raises. ian-desk
rosso-wa
re ur open letter: about time somebody spoke up about the emperor's clothes. I applaud you. I'm just speaking for myself, but I'd bet that, off or on the record, everyone in Iowa would say you've said it right. it's a lot harder to hold your head high as a unipresser than it used to be. stattmann-ia (Indianapolis)
allpoints from geimann. newser (neh500) the usual weekly edition of the UPI news is hungry, again, for news from throughout the UPI system. we're interested in yur accomplishments, news developments, etc., to be shared with sales and your colleagues around the world. cheers. geimann-wa.
rosso-wa
I always enjoy your morning messages. this morning's were particularly welcome. regards. dabney-na (Philadelphia)
rosso-wa
re management letter. thanks. no one could have said it better. no one better could have said it. three cheers. ebeck-mh (Miami)
rosso-wa
thanks for your letter to management. think you spoke for more people than you know. there is so much speculation going on, so many rumors. you're right — somebody needs to provide some details here. hope your letter prompts some response. again, thank you. wieland-uc (Milwaukee)
rosso-wa
at least we know someone who has balls in the company, huh? nancy kercheval-br (Baltimore)
It wasn’t long before Steve Geimann of UPI management interceded to express “company policy.” But, it was self-serving. The message wire, as was demonstrated during the debate over the pay cut, had always been used for personal, as well as, business correspondents. In fact, Geimann had once praised my daily “All” messages as good for morale.
allpoints from geimann:
it has long been UPI policy — and continues to be the policy — that the internal message wires are for company business only. messages of a personal nature, messages that contain profanity, or are not directly related to news-gathering are not appropriate for the message wire. cheers. geimann.
rosso-wa
this is an impersonal message, containing no profanity, agreeing with your expression of concern over the way the state of the company's business is directly, and adversely, affecting our news-gathering. small-waaudio
rosso-wa
your morning message was refreshing. I believe most, if not all, of us out here have been thinking and privately saying the same. denying newsies facts and figures on their own company just leads to natural discontent — and, as I understand, investigative books. you hit about every point squarely. hope it is taken to heart. hardin-ia.
rosso-wa
thanks for saying what needed to be said. best regards. debevec-ws (St. Paul)
rosso-wa
thanks dave. I agree it's time we're told whether UPI's going to be someone's tax write-off (forgot, they don't have those anymore) or a competitive news operation. cheers. henderson-supreme court
rosso-wa
thanks for morning message. btw, while we're going through the motions, heard that clinton is to be in new joisey monday. will someone be traveling with him? burns-tr (Trenton)
rosso-wa
thanks for saying out loud what most of us have been silently screaming. bests. sielicki-tl (Toledo)
--
rosso-wa
I admire your courage for saying what had to be said. cheers and many thanks from the whole boston staff. siera-bh
rosso-wa
somebody say amen. lyle-kt (Albany)
rosso-wa
thanks for saying what needed to be said. frustration running high at new york financial, especially with garbage piling up everywhere and t.p. running low. regards. eve-nxf (New York Financial)
rosso-wa
add my name to the list of thankful folks for whom you so eloquently spoke in your open letter. cheers. supon-tr (Trenton)
rosso-wa
yur message was a welcome sight. it recognizes the frustration we all feel. cheers. mcginnis-uc (Milwaukee)
rosso-wa
ditto. cheers. simmonds-md (Madison, Wis.)
rosso-wa
and so say all of us, dave. the whole thing is neroesque, only they reclaimed the fiddle because of non-payment, myers-lsp
rosso-wa
who was it that said one man with courage makes a majority? my last day with UPI is tomorrow but I leave still worrying about the fate of all my friends (including many stringers). thanks for voicing what everyone had been thinking privately. cheers. ayers-gx (Springfield, Ill.)
rosso-wa
Dave, your missive dealing with news-gathering and company business is right on target and demonstrates the kind of guts and integrity this news agency needs.
Daniel-wa
Rosso-wa
Wait a minute, dave. Not so fast. The business plan’s just abt to be announced. Oh, no. tt was just gas. Cudn’t agree more. Rgds. Murphy-hxs (Chicago-sports)
Finally, Geimann had read enough. He called me to his office and handed me the following official correspondence:
dear david,
I am greatly disappointed you chose to express your feelings by using the internal company message wire to send an "open letter" to management.
this was a totally inappropriate use of the message wires. the UPI policy has been stated, and restated many times: message wires are exclusively for the transaction of company business in gathering news.
your message did not fall into that category.
while I appreciate your concerns and, perhaps, frustrations, I must disagree with your method of sharing them with management. it would be wholly appropriate to request a meeting, or drop me a typewritten note; sending an "open letter" on an international message wire is not appropriate.
the process of any transition is long and perhaps painful for some. but it has always been, and always will remain, the prerogative of management to carry out the business of the company in the best interests of the company.
those who disagree have two options: support the efforts of management, or resign, there is no in between.
sincerely,
steve geimann
executive editor
friday, feb 26
It was another day and I started it as I had started all mornings — with my good morning “All” message. Messages continued coming in from bureaus around the world to my open letter posted on Thursday.
all:
good morning. digging back into the molly ivins book this morning and speaker of the texas house gib lewis: "this problem is a two-headed sword: it could grow like a mushing room." thank you all. rosso-wa
all: today's forum calendar item: "the first amendment's value is linked directly to its use. to preserve it, it must be shared. unless it is everyone's, it can be no one's." jean otto, editor.
csongos:
frank, today's fns daybook offering as of 7:35 a.m. consists of part two of general daybook and 11 entries of next week's senate and house. no president sked. no house for today. no senate for today. no economic events for today and no parts 1 and 2 of the general daybook. rosso-wa
rosso-wa-drop geimann. (letter) it's cold and rainy here in paris today, but there is a very warm spot in my heart for you. eduardo cue-paris.
rosso-wa
three cheers. couldn't agree more. reed-bh
rosso-wa
bravo, dave. I think it's about time we all started doing a little more questioning and sounding off. regards-nxs
rosso-wa (geimann) morn, dave. and many thnx for voicing our concerns in your letter to management. you certainly spoke for me. regards. haskell-bh
geimann: morn, steve. as you are no doubt aware, dave rosso's open letter to management has generated enthusiastic support. it directly relates to news gathering and was absolutely appropriate. we certainly hope you respect the workers of this company enough to address this subject in today's neh500. regards. haskell-bh
At 1:45 p.m., 15 minutes before my shift was to end, Geimann again called me to his office and handed me the following:
friday, feb. 26, 1993
dear david,
we need to revisit the matters that arose feb. 25 when you inappropriately used the internal company message wires to send an "open letter" to management.
this was not your first unauthorized use of company messages wires in direct violation of long-standing company policy. you were reprimanded in writing sept. 21, 1990, for the same action. therefore, it is clear that your actions demonstrate a willful disregard for long-standing company policy on use of the message wires.
further, your message of feb. 25 demonstrated disloyalty to the company for which you work, and this cannot be tolerated.
therefore, given your disregard for company policies it is necessary to terminate your employment with united press international, effective immediately.
the human resources department can answer any questions you night have on benefits earned through today, Feb. 26, 1993, and cobra conversion rights beyond today.
very truly,
stephen j. geimann
executive editor
and executive vice president
I returned to my desk, gathered my belongings and sent my farewell message:
all:
I have just been fired. good bye. I will miss you all. rosso-wa
dave: I’m passing on some of the tributes of what you said so eloquently for all of us and the messages of support after your wrongful dismissal. You’re the best of guys. Stay in touch and let me know what I can do to help. I’m looking for work too. Mike myers
rosso-wa
hope this gets to you. I’m sorry. Our loss. Cheers and best of luck. Kuklenski-hc (Los Angeles)
rosso-wa
I will miss you sorely. Kosek-hx (Chicago)
Rosso-wa
And we will miss you, dave. Thanks for speaking up. Cheers and bests. Sielicki-tl (Toledo)
Rosso-wa
Godspeed, dave. Pg-rv (Richmond)
Rosso-wa
You’re the best. No doubt about it. Cheers. Ebeck-mh (Miami)
Rosso-wa
Eye was very sorry to hear about your untimely dismissal. Down here in the latam circuit, we received your well-written message yesterday with admiration and your final message today with shock. I’d like to salute you for your courage to stand up and say what at least the majority of us here were thinking. You fought for our dignity and I thank you very much. Regards. Harrison-caracas.
I was later told that as I was heading home many of my colleagues marched to Geimann’s office to plead on my behalf. I lived in Manassas, Va., and by the time I arrived home, an hour after leaving the office, I had received a phone call from Lou Peck, editor of CongressDaily, a Times-Mirror publication that covered Congress and the administration. Peck was looking for an editor and we agreed to meet the following Tuesday — when he hired me.
But three years later, after Geimann left UPI, I returned to the company I loved in the winter of 1996.
In 1993, Bill Clinton and his young crew moved into the White House. There was a bit of turmoil while the new administration felt its way into power. Clinton tried to deal with the press. I remember one so-called answer from Clinton at an Earth Summit news conference in Washington. He had been asked about the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States. His answer:
"Well, that's not the right way to ask the question. The question I can answer is, 'Would I have signed a treaty in 1992 which would have said by the year 2000, which is the end of the second term, that we would get back to 1990 levels of emission?' The answer to that is, yes, I would have been glad to sign that treaty, and I believe that would have created jobs in America and not cost jobs in America."
on 2-1-93:
Many times the hot news took a back seat to the run-of-the-mill and human interest stories.
Here is an exchange involving the First Cat in the Clinton administration. The New York bureau (NX) was asking about Socks the cat in an exchange with national editor (NTL) Jeffrey Reynolds with some input from me, Washington editor David Wiessler and White House (WHU) reporter Lori Santos:
Reynolds-ntl
Have we got socks, the cat, arriving washington via hillary's Oldsmobile driven to wa by friend of the family? Thanks. Newman-nx
Reynolds-ntl
Have we reported his arrival?
Newman-nx
Santos-whu
I'm passing on newman-reynolds message without comment. Rosso-desk
Wiessler
(socks) CBS network radio reporting arrival of socks in hillary's Oldsmobile and attendance at super bowl party yesterday. Do we have? Thanks. Newman-nx
newman-nx
(reynolds-ntl)
socks' formal debut at the whu yesterday was indeed mentioned in super-clinton sty, which was first sighting. There was not a separate, however, but cud offer details for people person today if desired.
Santos-whu
santos-whu
I am personally and journalistically allergic to cats, and they cannot appear in the people column as long as they walk on all fours and go to the bathroom in a box.
Reynolds-ntl
Santos-whu
Ur socks melted cold heart of reynolds and he is using in people column.
Wiessler
Wiessler
Reynolds always was a sucker for my copy. He hired me, after all.
Santos-whu
Santos-whu
But I didn't hire you to write shaggy cat stories.
Reynolds-ntl
Rosso-wa
Relieved to hear that socks is settling in to his new home. (also heard a good one about cats and dogs -- dogs come when you call. Cats take a number and say they'll get back to you. Burns-tr (Trenton)
Then there's this story filed 2-3-93, which shows that the White House beat is many times not at all glamorous:
Bc-clinton-watch
will he or won't he?
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- President Clinton left the Clinton watchers in the cold again Wednesday.
The press pool gathered outside the White House before dawn, ready to report on whether the chief executive went for his pre-dawn jog through the streets of the nation's capital.
They sat and waited. Inside a van. For two hours.
They saw the dawn of a new day, but not The Man.
They saw Socks, the first cat, being led around the White House grounds on a long leash.
They saw Clinton's daughter Chelsea dressed in blue jeans, leave the White House and get into a black car with her female Secret Service agent to go to school.
But they did not see the president of the United States run.
Perhaps it was Wednesday morning's below-freezing temperatures.
On Tuesday, when Clinton prepared to hit the road running, the temperature in downtown Washington was 14 degrees with a wind chill index of about 11 degrees below zero.
Clinton opted to skip his morning jog Tuesday and, instead, walked from the White House to the gym in the Executive Office Building next door to work out.
1993 was a year of ominous news all around. The new U.S. attorney general, Janet Reno, faced her toughest decision of her tenure when federal agents raided the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, ending a weeks-long seige. The compound caught fire and most of the cult members, including leader David Koresh and several children died. Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization -- represented by PLO leader Yasir Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin -- signed a peace accord. The North American Free Trade Agreement was signed between the United States and Canada and Mexico, Czechoslovakia split, an abortion doctor was shot and killed by an anti-abortion fanatic and Muslim fundamentalists bombed the World Trade Center in New York City, killing five people.
Shortly after 1993 began I was given the opportunity to send my own farewell message. I had gotten to the point where the frustration boiled over and I resorted to a practice that was characteristic of me and that was seldom the most prudent avenue — spontaneity. Before sending out my usual good morning “All” message, I sent an open letter to UPI management in which I vented much of the angst that had been building up within and throughout the company since the mid-1980s. I was prompted to write my message after reading the weekly neh500 file, a regular piece put out by management to laud the work of UPI. My message was greeted by an outpouring of responses from Unipressers who shared my concerns. I include many of them because they illustrate the undercurrents throbbing in the UPI infrastructure throughout the world.
6:12 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 25, 1993.
An open letter to UPI management:
Next week begins the ninth month since UPI was once again bailed out by new owners. time enough to give birth. or will there be a miscarriage?
I've never been shy about going out on a limb and this is no exception, because I believe I speak for a majority of my colleagues.
We are not getting the information we need. instead, we are reading a lot of signs that spell disaster — stringers throughout the system, worldwide, are not being paid; vendors are not being paid; phone lines are being disconnected; we are having trouble getting deliveries of essential equipment; medical claims are going ignored.
The reputation UPI now has is not the reputation it once had. stringers refuse to work for us because of the shabby treatment they have received. it may be very easy for people in offices far removed from the scene to consistently refuse to pay these people who have made it possible for us to continue to put out a news report. but the local bureau managers who hired them on good faith need to look them in the eye and need to wonder whom they can get in the future.
there is a big difference between the UPI of the "can do" determination that built this wire service into a first-class, respected organization and what we offer now.
we have been waiting for "the plan" for a long time — a very long time. it has been promised to us by many UPI administrations. We have given great chunks of our pay on the false promises of a brighter tomorrow. And tomorrow never seems to get here. We have given at the office and all we get in return is spin.
I think it is time that somebody levelled with us. Where do we stand now? What is our outlook?
I suggest that the next neh500 put aside the false, forced plaudits and deal with reality. It is past time for UPI management to be honest with the people who deliver the product.
rosso-wa
All: good morning. bumper sticker spotted yesterday: "it will be a great day when our schools get all the money they need and the air force has to hold a bake sale to buy a bomber." rosso-wa
rosso-wa
right on and amen. you probably already know about this. but several buros, including du (Detroit), recently were authorized to hire a temporary full-time staffer for nine weeks with the possible chance of the position becoming permanent once this mysterious "business plan" is announced. I contacted one of our former staffers who was laid off a couple years ago and is in real bad way financially. he was so desperate that he quit his job — not a good one, but at least a job — to return to UPI in the slim hope that it might turn into something permanent. the company approved it, it put him on the schedule and then Monday night I was called and told that UPI changed its mind and wasn't going to hire him after all. I was physically ill — literally — when told of this decision. needless to say, the guy who thought he was getting the job was pretty sick too. he's been doing a lot of stringing for us over the past couple years and hasn't received a dime in months. in my opinion this is immoral, unethical and possibly illegal.
UPI management (drop rosso): concur that dave speaks for me. concur also in hope that the next neh500 deal with the issue he raises. ian-desk
rosso-wa
re ur open letter: about time somebody spoke up about the emperor's clothes. I applaud you. I'm just speaking for myself, but I'd bet that, off or on the record, everyone in Iowa would say you've said it right. it's a lot harder to hold your head high as a unipresser than it used to be. stattmann-ia (Indianapolis)
allpoints from geimann. newser (neh500) the usual weekly edition of the UPI news is hungry, again, for news from throughout the UPI system. we're interested in yur accomplishments, news developments, etc., to be shared with sales and your colleagues around the world. cheers. geimann-wa.
rosso-wa
I always enjoy your morning messages. this morning's were particularly welcome. regards. dabney-na (Philadelphia)
rosso-wa
re management letter. thanks. no one could have said it better. no one better could have said it. three cheers. ebeck-mh (Miami)
rosso-wa
thanks for your letter to management. think you spoke for more people than you know. there is so much speculation going on, so many rumors. you're right — somebody needs to provide some details here. hope your letter prompts some response. again, thank you. wieland-uc (Milwaukee)
rosso-wa
at least we know someone who has balls in the company, huh? nancy kercheval-br (Baltimore)
It wasn’t long before Steve Geimann of UPI management interceded to express “company policy.” But, it was self-serving. The message wire, as was demonstrated during the debate over the pay cut, had always been used for personal, as well as, business correspondents. In fact, Geimann had once praised my daily “All” messages as good for morale.
allpoints from geimann:
it has long been UPI policy — and continues to be the policy — that the internal message wires are for company business only. messages of a personal nature, messages that contain profanity, or are not directly related to news-gathering are not appropriate for the message wire. cheers. geimann.
rosso-wa
this is an impersonal message, containing no profanity, agreeing with your expression of concern over the way the state of the company's business is directly, and adversely, affecting our news-gathering. small-waaudio
rosso-wa
your morning message was refreshing. I believe most, if not all, of us out here have been thinking and privately saying the same. denying newsies facts and figures on their own company just leads to natural discontent — and, as I understand, investigative books. you hit about every point squarely. hope it is taken to heart. hardin-ia.
rosso-wa
thanks for saying what needed to be said. best regards. debevec-ws (St. Paul)
rosso-wa
thanks dave. I agree it's time we're told whether UPI's going to be someone's tax write-off (forgot, they don't have those anymore) or a competitive news operation. cheers. henderson-supreme court
rosso-wa
thanks for morning message. btw, while we're going through the motions, heard that clinton is to be in new joisey monday. will someone be traveling with him? burns-tr (Trenton)
rosso-wa
thanks for saying out loud what most of us have been silently screaming. bests. sielicki-tl (Toledo)
--
rosso-wa
I admire your courage for saying what had to be said. cheers and many thanks from the whole boston staff. siera-bh
rosso-wa
somebody say amen. lyle-kt (Albany)
rosso-wa
thanks for saying what needed to be said. frustration running high at new york financial, especially with garbage piling up everywhere and t.p. running low. regards. eve-nxf (New York Financial)
rosso-wa
add my name to the list of thankful folks for whom you so eloquently spoke in your open letter. cheers. supon-tr (Trenton)
rosso-wa
yur message was a welcome sight. it recognizes the frustration we all feel. cheers. mcginnis-uc (Milwaukee)
rosso-wa
ditto. cheers. simmonds-md (Madison, Wis.)
rosso-wa
and so say all of us, dave. the whole thing is neroesque, only they reclaimed the fiddle because of non-payment, myers-lsp
rosso-wa
who was it that said one man with courage makes a majority? my last day with UPI is tomorrow but I leave still worrying about the fate of all my friends (including many stringers). thanks for voicing what everyone had been thinking privately. cheers. ayers-gx (Springfield, Ill.)
rosso-wa
Dave, your missive dealing with news-gathering and company business is right on target and demonstrates the kind of guts and integrity this news agency needs.
Daniel-wa
Rosso-wa
Wait a minute, dave. Not so fast. The business plan’s just abt to be announced. Oh, no. tt was just gas. Cudn’t agree more. Rgds. Murphy-hxs (Chicago-sports)
Finally, Geimann had read enough. He called me to his office and handed me the following official correspondence:
dear david,
I am greatly disappointed you chose to express your feelings by using the internal company message wire to send an "open letter" to management.
this was a totally inappropriate use of the message wires. the UPI policy has been stated, and restated many times: message wires are exclusively for the transaction of company business in gathering news.
your message did not fall into that category.
while I appreciate your concerns and, perhaps, frustrations, I must disagree with your method of sharing them with management. it would be wholly appropriate to request a meeting, or drop me a typewritten note; sending an "open letter" on an international message wire is not appropriate.
the process of any transition is long and perhaps painful for some. but it has always been, and always will remain, the prerogative of management to carry out the business of the company in the best interests of the company.
those who disagree have two options: support the efforts of management, or resign, there is no in between.
sincerely,
steve geimann
executive editor
friday, feb 26
It was another day and I started it as I had started all mornings — with my good morning “All” message. Messages continued coming in from bureaus around the world to my open letter posted on Thursday.
all:
good morning. digging back into the molly ivins book this morning and speaker of the texas house gib lewis: "this problem is a two-headed sword: it could grow like a mushing room." thank you all. rosso-wa
all: today's forum calendar item: "the first amendment's value is linked directly to its use. to preserve it, it must be shared. unless it is everyone's, it can be no one's." jean otto, editor.
csongos:
frank, today's fns daybook offering as of 7:35 a.m. consists of part two of general daybook and 11 entries of next week's senate and house. no president sked. no house for today. no senate for today. no economic events for today and no parts 1 and 2 of the general daybook. rosso-wa
rosso-wa-drop geimann. (letter) it's cold and rainy here in paris today, but there is a very warm spot in my heart for you. eduardo cue-paris.
rosso-wa
three cheers. couldn't agree more. reed-bh
rosso-wa
bravo, dave. I think it's about time we all started doing a little more questioning and sounding off. regards-nxs
rosso-wa (geimann) morn, dave. and many thnx for voicing our concerns in your letter to management. you certainly spoke for me. regards. haskell-bh
geimann: morn, steve. as you are no doubt aware, dave rosso's open letter to management has generated enthusiastic support. it directly relates to news gathering and was absolutely appropriate. we certainly hope you respect the workers of this company enough to address this subject in today's neh500. regards. haskell-bh
At 1:45 p.m., 15 minutes before my shift was to end, Geimann again called me to his office and handed me the following:
friday, feb. 26, 1993
dear david,
we need to revisit the matters that arose feb. 25 when you inappropriately used the internal company message wires to send an "open letter" to management.
this was not your first unauthorized use of company messages wires in direct violation of long-standing company policy. you were reprimanded in writing sept. 21, 1990, for the same action. therefore, it is clear that your actions demonstrate a willful disregard for long-standing company policy on use of the message wires.
further, your message of feb. 25 demonstrated disloyalty to the company for which you work, and this cannot be tolerated.
therefore, given your disregard for company policies it is necessary to terminate your employment with united press international, effective immediately.
the human resources department can answer any questions you night have on benefits earned through today, Feb. 26, 1993, and cobra conversion rights beyond today.
very truly,
stephen j. geimann
executive editor
and executive vice president
I returned to my desk, gathered my belongings and sent my farewell message:
all:
I have just been fired. good bye. I will miss you all. rosso-wa
dave: I’m passing on some of the tributes of what you said so eloquently for all of us and the messages of support after your wrongful dismissal. You’re the best of guys. Stay in touch and let me know what I can do to help. I’m looking for work too. Mike myers
rosso-wa
hope this gets to you. I’m sorry. Our loss. Cheers and best of luck. Kuklenski-hc (Los Angeles)
rosso-wa
I will miss you sorely. Kosek-hx (Chicago)
Rosso-wa
And we will miss you, dave. Thanks for speaking up. Cheers and bests. Sielicki-tl (Toledo)
Rosso-wa
Godspeed, dave. Pg-rv (Richmond)
Rosso-wa
You’re the best. No doubt about it. Cheers. Ebeck-mh (Miami)
Rosso-wa
Eye was very sorry to hear about your untimely dismissal. Down here in the latam circuit, we received your well-written message yesterday with admiration and your final message today with shock. I’d like to salute you for your courage to stand up and say what at least the majority of us here were thinking. You fought for our dignity and I thank you very much. Regards. Harrison-caracas.
I was later told that as I was heading home many of my colleagues marched to Geimann’s office to plead on my behalf. I lived in Manassas, Va., and by the time I arrived home, an hour after leaving the office, I had received a phone call from Lou Peck, editor of CongressDaily, a Times-Mirror publication that covered Congress and the administration. Peck was looking for an editor and we agreed to meet the following Tuesday — when he hired me.
But three years later, after Geimann left UPI, I returned to the company I loved in the winter of 1996.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
