The Internet has changed the world. Anyone who disagrees is a fool. It's changed the way we shop, do our homework and even talk with our friends. For some, the Internet has made life easier; for others, the web has made them realize how old they actually are. But the fact is: The Internet is here to stay.
In a way, the newspaper industry is facing the same problem as the music and movie industries. With free music and movies available on-line, customers are asking themselves: Why buy --۠when I can get it for free? Newspaper editors are struggling to find an answer to that question, too.
Newspapers need to evolve with the Web and change in several ways. Most importantly, editors need to alter the news gathering process and change how they present the news both on the web and in print.
The music industry's approach to boosting CD sales was offering customers more information for their money. They wanted to give them something beyond just the music and an album cover. So it introduced EnhancedCDs (a CD that has CD-rom and Internet links that could only be accessed with the original disk) It was a commendable effort, but not successful because customers did not want to pay the extra dollar or two for an EnhancedCD. The concept flopped.
Newspapers also need enhancement. In order for a newspaper to be successful, it must dedicate just as much effort to an interactive website as it does its actual newspaper. Its website must be up-to-date and constantly give its audience news as it happens.
Gathering news should no longer be a photographer using her digital camera and the reporter using his notepad. Why not have the reporter get some audio sound bites to capture a source's emotion? And, if a photojournalist can work a Nikon camera, why not teach her how to shoot b-roll and post it to the website?
This type of converged newsgathering should be the strategy of any newspaper wanting to connect with and inform its readers. By giving them a place to interact with the newspaper, the Internet gives readers a more in-depth look at the news.The Beacon Journal is trying this new approach to its website and I think in some part it is effective. (http://artemis.thebeaconjournal.com/tour1.htm) The Beacon is an award-winning newspaper out of Akron, Ohio. It does an excellent job covering local news and sports. The Beacon has been around for 165 years. It prides its tradition of journalistic excellence and its newest tradition is the Akron Beacon Journal Digital. It is a great example of how old-fashioned newspapers need to take advantage of the Internet and its ability help survive in this world driven by technology.
For more information:Vin Crosbie, longtime online news consultant, says that newspapers of the future must change the way they publish their news both online and off.http://www.ojr.org/ojr/business/1078349998.php
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