PRNewser Poll

The issue is coming to a head now as The New York Times' public editor reports that executive editor Bill Keller has said that the paper will decide "within weeks" whether to erect a paywall. Some in the journalism business think newspapers won't be able to survive unless they start charging online readers. Others think it'll be the beginning of the end, as readers flee to free sources of news -- and as advertisers follow them.

What do you think? Together, the mediabistro blogs are going to try to "crowdsource" the answer. The principle of the "wisdom of crowds" says a large group of people can correctly predict the answer to a question like this. So tell us what you think. And then get your colleagues and friends to answer as well. The more people who participate, the more likely we'll get the right answer.

With the increased debate around embargoed news lately, we're curious to get your take on the matter in today's poll.

Related: Rubenstein's Tom Keaney Repping Letterman

Despite debates over whether or not monthly retainer fees are the best billing option for PR agencies, they remain the standard of how agencies charge for their services.

Various industry executives have told PRNewser that some client retainers have gone down twenty to thirty percent, if not more over the last year and a half. Of course, this is anecdotal evidence, however one would be hard pressed to find an agency CEO who would claim that retainers have gone up.

The question is: when will they begin to bounce back, or, are they already bouncing back?

How many of Michael Jackson's former publicists are getting quoted in the avalanche of stories about the King of Pop's career and untimely demise? The poll closes this afternoon.

PR pros - what are you reading? PRNewser wants to know, hence our poll for today:

In the wake of Blago's magical media tour, and the Octomom, we'd like to gauge our faithful readers' tolerance for Crazy. Would you consider representing a media 'great' for little or no money in exchange for notoriety and access to top media? Examples include Blago, Terrell Owens, the Octomom, and the Runaway Bride (remember her?). Please vote below and/or send us your rant on the subject here.

Both PRNewsers are back at our respective desks, but the real question is, are you? That's why we've set up this poll for you to let us know: what are you doing this week?

In our last PRNewser Poll, we asked: How secure do you believe your job to be over the next year? Here are the results:

-25% of you agreed that your job was, "Very secure: I definitely won't be shown the door."

-43% said "Somewhat secure: I'm fine now, but not so sure about the future."

-19% said "Not very secure: I'm working on my resume."

-13% identified most with "Um, job?"

What should we ask in our next poll?

Our latest PRNewser poll takes a look at job security. Please let us know know how you're feeling. We'll share the final results after a few days of voting.