Carrying the discussion Carolyn started with how blogs are impacting journalism; I have to say that blogs are just a microcosm of what is really happening in journalism today.

Most of us in the industry realize that the industry itself is evolving. Around the world, media organizations are springing up with no print product but a very heavy internet presence and consider themselves every bit a news outlet as The New York Times – with both contributions from professional reporters and citizen journalists.

In Japan, newspapers have really taken advantage of technology, cell telephones and internet, to the point where some believe the print product’s days are numbered.

We are seeing more and more crossover among the different media channels, courtesy of media conglomerates like Belo who own a mixture of newspapers and television stations.

I guess what brought it home for me was reading this morning that Dear Abby was now going beyond print. On December 1, readers will have the opportunity to call a toll-free number to ask for her advice. Evidently, she has a radio program. For those who want to hear her, all they have to do is log on to DearAbbyRadio.com.

Now, people cannot only read her column but can interact with her — I think that’s the key to where the news industry is heading.

Technology is creating, encouraging and sustaining reader interaction.

Those of us in the industry need to step back and stop worrying about the impact of blogs on journalism and look at the bigger picture — technology is dictating the direction of today’s news, but only because it is responding (listening) to what people want.

The real question should be: How should we be responding.

Comments (0)

Comment	smaller | bigger
Name
Write the displayed characters
Subscribe via email (Registered users only) I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.
	Add Comment