The story you’re not hearing about ‘the death of newspapers’
October 23rd, 2008 at 07:30am Jennie Pollock
This week, a former editor of The Washington Post said this:
“I think there’s just as good a chance of local television news disappearing as newspapers disappearing — and probably more of a chance actually.”Â
Len Downie Jr. makes a fair point. While newspaper resources are dwindling as we struggle with rising newsprint costs, advertising challenges, new techonologies and fewer “feet on the street,” TV stations have even fewer of those “feet,” plus challenges of their own.
Entry Filed under: TV news, Future of newsrooms
3 Comments Add your own
1. Bob Trojan | October 23rd, 2008 at 8:41 am
Maybe the TV stations will get amateur photographers and reporters to do some pro bono work for them? With improved technology of cameras and cell phones, it would greatly increase the exposure to “free” news!
2. Linda Grist Cunningham | October 23rd, 2008 at 8:56 am
Bob, I’ve always been a fan of, and have encouraged what you describe. We call it user-generated content (UGC). It can be an important and successful component of news coverage. A good example is our community bloggers on rrstar.com.
But, the challenge is credibility and accuracy. Sure a ton of folks can do great point and shoots, but the risk of UGC content that is inaccurate or tampered with is really serious. UGC can be terrific, but over the long haul much of it is no substitute for professional work.
3. the dude abides man | October 23rd, 2008 at 2:57 pm
The above article insinuates that newspapers, simply because they have large staffs, will be able to easily morph into video-producing news anchors.
It neglects to mention that TV news anchors similarly have the ability to compose text stories for their internet sites.
I rarely, rarely click on a video on the RRStar because I know that video is not RRStar’s strong suit. I am much more likely to visit WTVO’s website to follow up on a story I heard about on the 10 clock news.
Yes, the media are converging; you may be able to visit RRStar on your TV, but the public is still more likely to tune in for a polished, professional newscast than a hastily shot and edited web video. TV is still push, newspaper is still pull.
On the internet, bigger does not equal better.
More video doesn’t equal better video.
And bigger definitely doesn’t equal credible.
Better equals better.
Whoever has the smartest, most motivated staff will endure.
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