Here's one explanation for Zachary Roth's tearful exit from the New York Observer. The media beat at the elite Manhattan newspaper used to be a stepping stone to journalistic greatness; it brought a reporter into contact with most of the people who dispense media jobs. And young reporters like Warren St John (now of the Times) and Gabriel Snyder (now of W) made the most of it. Now the Observer contends with dozens of blogs like this one. It's harder for editor Peter Kaplan to attract bright young things; and harder for them to impress once they're there.

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