One positive thing to come out of the widespread layoffs that have resulted from decimation of the newspaper industry is the fact that laid off reporters feel free to speak up publicly, sharing ideas about the industry that could actually do some good in the long run. That's cold comfort to unemployed journalists, of course, but it's pretty fascinating to read what these people have to say when they're unencumbered of their corporate shackles. William Lobdell, a longtime LA Times journalist who's now quit and "gone digital," has come forth with a damning list of dozens of things wrong with his old paper. And he's as clear as you could possibly ask:

6. The smaller the newspaper, the longer its life span in print (four exceptions: the New York Times, Wall St. Journal, Washington Post and USA Today).

Note the one major paper not included in that list: the LAT. He goes on to lay out exactly why Sam Zell and Co. are rather annoying and misguided managers, and includes this suggestion that is worth looking into for any mid-sized metro paper:

36. I'd take the very talented journalists I had and develop a SERIES of websites that provided the best information for that beat/subject matter. The Web is all about niches. The Times, for instance, could have the premiere sites for every professional and college sports team in Southern California. It could be THE place to turn to for news on City Hall, Los Angeles Unified School District, and Los Angeles Police Department. Not to mention Southern California environmental issues, LAX and the coast. 37. These could run under the banner: Another Los Angeles Times website/blog.

Somebody hire that man! [Read it all at Lobdell's OC; pic via Flickr]