Last but not least: American local editorial office outsourced to India
The American online local newspaper Pasadena Now has found its own way out of the financial crisis: it has Indians write the articles—they're cheaper.
The example will set a precedent, especially with the increasing shortage of money due to the crisis: in order to save money, the Californian online local paper Pasadena Now has laid off all its reporters and outsourced the writing of its articles to India. From there they now report on the mayor's speech or a new astronomy center at the university. For 500 to 750 dollars a month, the Indians transcribe the press reports from speeches and press conferences.
It's obvious that this doesn't always go well. For example, the editors 14,000 kilometers away mistook the city's football stadium - popularly known as the Rose Bowl - for a rice dish. To ensure that this remains the exception, fast-track courses are offered: In four to six months, the Indians learn the local peculiarities, for example what a brownie is, or which colors are popular on Valentine's Day. Editor-in-chief James MacPherson takes a pragmatic view: "It's not about glamorous stories, it's about survival."
It's obvious that this doesn't always go well. For example, the editors 14,000 kilometers away mistook the city's football stadium - popularly known as the Rose Bowl - for a rice dish. To ensure that this remains the exception, fast-track courses are offered: In four to six months, the Indians learn the local peculiarities, for example what a brownie is, or which colors are popular on Valentine's Day. Editor-in-chief James MacPherson takes a pragmatic view: "It's not about glamorous stories, it's about survival."
