Comments on: Newspapers don’t own journalism

By: John E. Simonds

John E. Simonds — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:01:38 +0000

True, newspapers do not own journalism.
Technology has advanced what was true Constitutionally into reality for anyone with access to a keyboard.
Despite the healthy news of growing individual activity, many readers/viewers retain greater trust in news that comes by paper and screen from companies that work in printing plants, studios and office buildings.
These conventional media are at crisis point with traditional supporters and careerists desperate for answers.
Solutions probably will not come from managers/staffers on the inside handling daily tasks of survival, busy with ever more attempts at communal sharing and electronic re-tooling of their product.
Concerned leaders with assets of conscience (possibly outsiders and alumni of the news business) are needed for this rescue.
These should be people who recognize the priorities of reliable content, advertising, production and distribution.
They should be joined in this turnaround effort by others who run major foundations—Carnegie, MacArhur, Pew, Rockefeller—grantors who understand resources and how to apply them with impact to benefit communities. “National conversations” on what’s wrong with the news media and how they got that way are an academic luxury at this point.
Yes, the causes are important, but other able groups can study them for later conclusions. Symptoms and prognoses already seem well known and beyond the need for more study.
What’s critical now is a hard-nosed selection of do-able strategies to keep the news media functioning through this decade. A reshaping of roles and products for the longer haul could come after the current bleeding is stopped.
A national media survival strategy group would have to be a face- forward panel with the kind of unfettered outlooks that developed the public-private Amtrak system, public broadcasting, postal reorganization, public programs for universities, community action agencies and the performing arts.
Such a group needs to wrestle with the options of now: The news media may need to be transformed into an assemblage of financially-redesigned processes, offering temporary relief and urgent services from a public-private escrow fund, a source media interests will be obligated to replenish after the crisis has been met.
This is not to be confused with a FEMA response, or a GM takeover, but more like a Marshall Plan with an emphasis on growth as well as survival. It would include systems of orderly recovery and new fiscal relationships to sustain the gathering and delivery of information and news to the public.
Loans, tax subsidies and sharing of direction/management with the earlier-mentioned foundations (already tax exempt, of course) are among relief options to be considered in pursuing life-support toward recovery.
Firewalls would be erected to insulate content from the new public-private-non profit financial alliance.
A gathering of true problem solvers might take an act of national political leadership to mobilize.
If that seems unthinkable, compare it with extinction.
Thanks for considering, John E. Simonds.

By: Join a live chat about transforming the news business « Pursuing the Complete Community Connection

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:10:58 +0000

[...] printing press provides a thoughtful look at the tools we need to serve a digital audience and Newspapers don’t own journalism helps us understand how digital journalism is growing and thriving even as newspapers [...]

By: Young in the Digital Age

Young in the Digital Age — Mon, 04 May 2009 05:52:56 +0000

[...] For further reading on the media shift, see this Slate.com article, the PBS Media Shift Blog, and Charlotte-Anne Lucas’ blog. [...]

By: Andria Krewson

Andria Krewson — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:27:18 +0000

For Clyde:

“That would be fine if we could fund enough reporters to fill the niche local newspapers now fill. So far, we have not developed a replacement strategy.”

Traditional media companies are taking care of that gap by shedding experienced, smart, talented journalists every day.

Many of them will not be able to walk away from the profession, despite low pay.

And they will be hungry.

Keep watching.

By: charlotteanne

charlotteanne — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 22:43:23 +0000

One not-so-new financial model is the one that made TheStreet.com quite profitable and able to pay for the great journalism that I was lucky to edit when I worked there, starting in 1999. There are other models, including some that work. Check out what's going on at New West and West Seattle blog, both of which are doing very well, financially and journalistically. Others may work and some may not, but hopefully those that don't will "fail forward" and help us get there. I think Simon makes my point: Some newspapers have ignored the public good. I do not lament their demise. Rather, I celebrate the Talking Points Memos of the world who step into the void to show us that you can both do good and do well.

By: John Tedesco

John Tedesco — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:39:10 +0000

Charlotte-Anne, I agree there are Web sites producing outstanding journalism. But the point of David Simon’s column, which you linked to, actually conflicts with your post.

Simon wrote:

“There is a lot of talk nowadays about what will replace the dinosaur that is the daily newspaper. So-called citizen journalists and bloggers and media pundits have lined up to tell us that newspapers are dying but that the news business will endure, that this moment is less tragic than it is transformational.

Well, sorry, but I didn’t trip over any blogger trying to find out McKissick’s identity and performance history. Nor were any citizen journalists at the City Council hearing in January when police officials inflated the nature and severity of the threats against officers. And there wasn’t anyone working sources in the police department to counterbalance all of the spin or omission.

I didn’t trip over a herd of hungry Sun reporters either, but that’s the point. …”

The point is, good journalism takes time and effort. Someone has to pay for this valuable work. What is the new financial model that can make this happen?

By: While you were away @ Journalism: Fiat Lux

While you were away @ Journalism: Fiat Lux — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:37:51 +0000

[...] Charlotte-Anne Lucas:Newspapers Don’t Own Journalism [...]

By: Online Journalism Rocks » Blog Archive » While you were away - Journalism 453: Online Reporting and Editing

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:35:39 +0000

[...] Charlotte-Anne Lucas:Newspapers don’t own journalism [...]

By: Walter L. Johnson II

Walter L. Johnson II — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 04:25:32 +0000

You raised some good points here. Journalism isn’t vanishing, it’s just changing. In what form and shape the industry will actually be in is anybody’s guess. But the possibilities are still limitless.

By: charlotteanne

charlotteanne — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:00:48 +0000

Katy,
I think you missed my point.
I’m talking about journalism.
My point is that award-winning, world-improving, high standards journalism has been and is being committed outside of newspapers.
And that’s something to celebrate!