Dave Zweifel is a newspaperman, faithfully wedded to
The Capital Times in Madison, Wis., since 1962. He became its editor in 1983.
In a recent profile of the paper by
Isthmus, an alternative publication, a colleague summed him up, saying:
"Since Dave was a kid, he's wanted nothing else than to be editor of
The Capital Times... And for three decades, he's defined this newspaper." Another said, "This is not original, but Dave is one of the nicest and most decent people in the world -- and he cares passionately about the newspaper and the community and the people who work for him."
Zweifel's no teddy bear. Ask any bureaucrat who's tried to close a meeting or legislator who hoped to narrow access to public records. As president of
Wisconsin's Freedom of Information Council, he'd jump in, swinging in defense of
sunshine -- the public's right to know.
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The Capital Times
Dave Zweifel |
Now, the man whose name defines a paper will help guide its
radical transformation.
The Capital Times will move to a largely online publication. The six-day-a-week newspaper will become a twice-weekly tab. Zweifel will become "editor emeritus" and
write columns for the paper.
When I called Zweifel Thursday for a Q & A, he was about to head into a lengthy meeting with staff to discuss the impact of the shift. And there will indeed be an impact.
On staff size. On roles. But not, he believes, on the journalism.
The day after the staff meeting, he responded via e-mail:
Geisler: What's the headline from your talk with staff?
Zweifel: That unlike other p.m. papers, we're not going away, but taking advantage of the new media technology to actually increase our relevancy. A vibrant Web edition, complemented by two weekly print newspapers, will serve to expand our reach.
Geisler: What will the organization and work flow of the new
Cap Times look like?
Zweifel: Removed from the tyranny of the daily print deadlines, the staff will be more flexible. Stories from the many "beats" -- state capitol, city hall, cops and courts, university, business, shopping, urban life and neighborhoods -- can be posted immediately and updated as changes occur. The newsroom will be staffed roughly 18 hours per day (24 if news dictates, e.g. elections). A "Web producer" will be on duty at all times to edit and post stories.
Reporters, not unlike the old general assignment reporters, will be on duty with the producer to constantly check in with law enforcement and other offices for spot news. Sports will file on site for games and produce blogs during the game. Columnists will either write in the office, or can file from location. A staff Web technician will help with links and interactive elements that will complement stories and features. Reporters, columnists and other staffers will also write for the two weekly print editions -- the extensive news magazine-like Wednesday tabloid, big on local analysis and commentary, and the Thursday entertainment/lifestyle tab heavy on reviews, calendars and trend pieces.
Geisler: What skills will your journalists need to hone?
Zweifel: Snappier and witty writing style for the Web. Ability to brief and condense breaking news, but also to do multiple-source analytical and explanatory journalism for a magazine-type format.
Geisler: What are the most significant leadership challenges you foresee as you move, as you have said, "the full force of the newsroom" to the Web?
Zweifel: Ideas, ideas, ideas. Leadership will need to be cutting edge and come up with the ideas that can resonate both online and in print. Must be on top of trends and have the ability to direct reporters in discovering and writing about them.
Geisler: You've been a newspaperman forever. What will you call yourself now? And how will you describe the future
Cap Times?
Zweifel: The switch to the Web is going to take enormous time and energy at the top. For that reason, a younger person, [Paul Fanlund], has been named the editor, and I'm assuming an "editor emeritus" role. I'm not retiring, but I'm willing to admit that at close to age 68, I don't have stamina for 60 to 70-hour weeks anymore. Fanlund is Web-savvy and possesses the energy.
