Deadline Quote by Dean Baquet
“I always thought that digital first was a simplistic notion, and I am not even sure quite what it means. It should be stories first. Let's take the Paris story: the New York Times covered it all day, we held nothing back. Everything we learned, we published online. Then, when you approach your print deadline, you have to do two things. You have to polish those stories that are online because print is less forgiving of mistakes. Secondly, in an ideal world, you pick one thing that will feel fresh and compelling to people in the morning when they pick up the print paper.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Digital Media Strategy, The New York Times, 2020
Balancing digital immediacy with print quality requires treating stories as primary and then adapting them for print.
In simple terms: Stories belong online first; print is a refined version.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize online publishing, then polish for print.
Themes
digital media
print journalism
storytelling
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
journalistic
strategic
When to use this quote
- newsrooms
- deadline management
- cross‑platform publishing
Key Concepts
content strategy
media convergence
quality control
Questions to Reflect On
- How can print add unique value beyond digital?
- What criteria decide a story’s print suitability?
A Different Perspective
Print constraints may limit real‑time updates, reducing relevance.
