What the hell is a "glass wall"?
February 23, 2010 6:42 PM Subscribe
Job posting at a news publication requires "sensitivity to the 'glass wall' between editorial and commercial." What are they talking about?
I'm reading a job posting for a communications position at a prestigious news publication (you'll probably find it if you Google; I did, since I can't find this usage of this term anywhere else). Along with the usuals (ability to multitask, team player), the position requires "Sensitivity to 'glass wall' that exists between editorial and commercial sides of business."
What does that mean? Are they just trying to tell people that this position is not a stepping-stone to being a journalist (I'm not looking for this)? Or that I won't have any contact with the editorial departments? Or that the "commercial side" is like the scum of the office and the "editorial side" will act like I don't exist how dare I even presume to make eye contact with an editorial assistant in the elevator?
I feel like it's just a weird thing to say in an otherwise run-of-the-mill job posting and unless I get a reasonable explanation from you guys, it's kind of turning me off from applying.
I'm reading a job posting for a communications position at a prestigious news publication (you'll probably find it if you Google; I did, since I can't find this usage of this term anywhere else). Along with the usuals (ability to multitask, team player), the position requires "Sensitivity to 'glass wall' that exists between editorial and commercial sides of business."
What does that mean? Are they just trying to tell people that this position is not a stepping-stone to being a journalist (I'm not looking for this)? Or that I won't have any contact with the editorial departments? Or that the "commercial side" is like the scum of the office and the "editorial side" will act like I don't exist how dare I even presume to make eye contact with an editorial assistant in the elevator?
I feel like it's just a weird thing to say in an otherwise run-of-the-mill job posting and unless I get a reasonable explanation from you guys, it's kind of turning me off from applying.
I'd guess they're saying that you need to be knowledgeable about what's going on in editorial but there can't be the appearance of interference. (See last year's Washington Post scandal).
posted by downing street memo at 6:47 PM on February 23, 2010
posted by downing street memo at 6:47 PM on February 23, 2010
Best answer: It's the non-weirdly loaded version of this phrase.
They mean that the business side does not dictate, except through the publisher's relationship with the editor-in-chief (which is often quite a bit), what the editorial side may and may not do.
It's not a weird thing to say in the slightest. It doesn't mean that you're scum! After all, the business side is better paid and more of an actual, well, business. Every media company should say such a thing in their listings, and if they don't, it's a given. (And in my experience, whether at publications like that one in particular or online, it's not any different anywhere (except in how much such a "wall" exists but that's a story for another question.))
Feel free to email me if you have questions! Some of us on one side of said "wall" understand the other side and even have friends "over there." (It's not like you're not allowed to SPEAK to each other or like, have meetings and stuff in the course of business.)
posted by RJ Reynolds at 6:51 PM on February 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
They mean that the business side does not dictate, except through the publisher's relationship with the editor-in-chief (which is often quite a bit), what the editorial side may and may not do.
It's not a weird thing to say in the slightest. It doesn't mean that you're scum! After all, the business side is better paid and more of an actual, well, business. Every media company should say such a thing in their listings, and if they don't, it's a given. (And in my experience, whether at publications like that one in particular or online, it's not any different anywhere (except in how much such a "wall" exists but that's a story for another question.))
Feel free to email me if you have questions! Some of us on one side of said "wall" understand the other side and even have friends "over there." (It's not like you're not allowed to SPEAK to each other or like, have meetings and stuff in the course of business.)
posted by RJ Reynolds at 6:51 PM on February 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
RJ Reynolds has it exactly, and answered just as I would have if MeFi had let me log in sooner.
My immediate assumption, too, was that they were trying to avoid the more common 'Chinese wall' term in some misguided attempt at political correctness.
It's "glass" because even though you can see that Exxon is your biggest advertiser and pays your bills, you're supposed to ignore that when writing articles that may be negative toward Exxon.
Your concerns are unfounded; this is a good practice. Apply away.
posted by rokusan at 6:54 PM on February 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
My immediate assumption, too, was that they were trying to avoid the more common 'Chinese wall' term in some misguided attempt at political correctness.
It's "glass" because even though you can see that Exxon is your biggest advertiser and pays your bills, you're supposed to ignore that when writing articles that may be negative toward Exxon.
Your concerns are unfounded; this is a good practice. Apply away.
posted by rokusan at 6:54 PM on February 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
For what it's worth, I'm not involved in the media besides reading books, newspapers, and blogs, and though I can't tell you where I've heard the phrase before, I knew the answer to your question from just your title in my RSS reader.
I do think Chinese wall is the older version is use by some as a synonym but to my (certainly uneducated) understanding, I think there's enough of a difference for them to not just be about political correctness gone awry. (The Chinese wall is placed there to save you from getting in trouble in a certain instance; the glass wall is always there.)
Anyway, my point is its used often enough for me to have an uneducated opinion about it, so I don't think you should be worried about it being sketchy. I think it's a good thing.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 7:16 PM on February 23, 2010
I do think Chinese wall is the older version is use by some as a synonym but to my (certainly uneducated) understanding, I think there's enough of a difference for them to not just be about political correctness gone awry. (The Chinese wall is placed there to save you from getting in trouble in a certain instance; the glass wall is always there.)
Anyway, my point is its used often enough for me to have an uneducated opinion about it, so I don't think you should be worried about it being sketchy. I think it's a good thing.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 7:16 PM on February 23, 2010
Response by poster: Okay, so I completely misinterpreted. I've never heard this term before, or the Chinese one. (Tangentially, I have to stop talking about needing a "Chinese staircase" in my new loft apartment.) Obviously that is fine.
I've worked somewhere with distinct hierarchies and divisions, where it was hinted to me on my first day that unnecessary contact with my "betters" was frowned upon, in an office of 35. Not pleasant.
posted by thebazilist at 7:35 PM on February 23, 2010
I've worked somewhere with distinct hierarchies and divisions, where it was hinted to me on my first day that unnecessary contact with my "betters" was frowned upon, in an office of 35. Not pleasant.
posted by thebazilist at 7:35 PM on February 23, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
(I once worked in TV news, and there was a great deal of such concern.)
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:45 PM on February 23, 2010