Straightening out the Online vs. Traditional News Myths
A recent post on Information Architects Japan (iA), Oliver Reichenstein covers the top ten myths concerning traditional print news. In his article, "10 Newspaper Myths Deconstructed," Oliver makes some great observations about change in the media, and the public perception of bloggers vs. journalists. It is not a big secret that traditional news has been in trouble for quite some time, and now online media is taking advantage of convenience and community in order to spread the word.
So, the main question addressed in the article is: Will newspapers be able to compete in a future that seems to be filled with online media? The following is an outline (slimmed down from the original) of the ten major misconceptions that keep newspapers from joining the ranks of the online news world:
Myth 1: We pay for printed content
Fact 1: News content is always free
Myth 2: There is not enough money in online ads
Fact 2: Newspapers don't care about online ads
Myth 3: Newspapers need on and offline identities
Fact 3: Newspapers need one identity
Myth 4: Newspapers need closed archives
Fact 4: Closed archives destroy access
Myth 5: Newspaper pages need to burst with stuff
Fact 5: Readers want nicely presented stuff
Myth 6: People are stupid, Journalists are smart
Fact 6: The collective is smarter than you
Myth 7: Journalists=professional, bloggers=smearers
Fact 7: Bloggers are journalists
Myth 8: The web is just a trend. No need to panic.
Fact 8: Change or die
Myth 9: Without paper, journalism & democracy die
Fact 9: Social news is democratic news
Myth 10: Newspapers need to become social networks
Fact 10: Newspapers need to become wikis
These are some extremely valid statements, and the print world should be paying attention. For all of the explanations behind the myths and facts, read the entire article, you're certainly not going to find this info in your local newspaper.
So, the main question addressed in the article is: Will newspapers be able to compete in a future that seems to be filled with online media? The following is an outline (slimmed down from the original) of the ten major misconceptions that keep newspapers from joining the ranks of the online news world:
Myth 1: We pay for printed content
Fact 1: News content is always free
Myth 2: There is not enough money in online ads
Fact 2: Newspapers don't care about online ads
Myth 3: Newspapers need on and offline identities
Fact 3: Newspapers need one identity
Myth 4: Newspapers need closed archives
Fact 4: Closed archives destroy access
Myth 5: Newspaper pages need to burst with stuff
Fact 5: Readers want nicely presented stuff
Myth 6: People are stupid, Journalists are smart
Fact 6: The collective is smarter than you
Myth 7: Journalists=professional, bloggers=smearers
Fact 7: Bloggers are journalists
Myth 8: The web is just a trend. No need to panic.
Fact 8: Change or die
Myth 9: Without paper, journalism & democracy die
Fact 9: Social news is democratic news
Myth 10: Newspapers need to become social networks
Fact 10: Newspapers need to become wikis
These are some extremely valid statements, and the print world should be paying attention. For all of the explanations behind the myths and facts, read the entire article, you're certainly not going to find this info in your local newspaper.