The next couple of days are likely to see a lot of buzz about the Los Angeles Times reorganizing its news functions to focus on 24/7 web-centric delivery. #

Quoting an LAObserved story: #

Stanton’s mission, says David Hiller, “is nothing less than the transformation of our newsroom into a 24/7 operation that breaks news all the time online (and mobile, etc.) and publishes in print with the analysis, personality, and utility that only great writers and editors can provide.” #

The Times’ James Rainey wrote: #

O’Shea named Business Editor Russ Stanton to the innovation post and said the “Internet 101″ course would teach reporters, editors and photographers how to post content on latimes.com. He emphasized the need for speed in reforming an operation that he called “woefully behind” the competition. #

The Times seems to be moving in the right direction, although moving an organization with over 800 editorial staffers is going to be a huge undertaking. For college journalists, it’s yet another good indication (along with recent moves at the Washington Post and the Gannett chain) that you need to take your web editor to lunch and ask “so, show me how to post my stories on the web site.” For those who are going to New York in March for the CMA convention, there’s a free track of sessions you might want to attend. #

Howard Owens comments here. PaidContent coverage here. Mark Potts adds this: #

LA Times staffers will probably mock the Internet 101 classes that O’Shea is proposing, but they need to get with the program (and dragging them there may be O’Shea’s biggest challenge). The future is on the Web and in other forms of electronic distribution. Countless newspapers have realized that in recent years and stepped up their online efforts accordingly. It’s nice to see the the LA Times finally coming into the modern age. #

Am I the only person who finds it incredible that the LAT only has a web staff of 18 people? Out of an editorial staff of over 800?!?!? #

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