Two interesting stories on how the ubiquity of information on the web is making it very challenging for traditional publishers to differentiate their content from the competition. 27/7 Wall Street comments on how Portfolio, the new magazine from Conde Nast, is having a hard time offering anything timely or unique on their website: “Why would… Continue reading The Ubiquity of Information Kills Paid Content
Category: journalism
Journalism and Architecture
The New Yorker asks “What should a newsroom look like in the twenty-first century?” The article recounts the history of how newsrooms were designed around the needs of the printing process, and communication methods that did not include technology. The article compares two New York newsrooms: the new offices of the New York Times, and… Continue reading Journalism and Architecture
Breaking News vs. Traditional Newswriting
The New York Times Digital News Editor responds to questions about their efforts online. Some great questions and responses, but his answer regarding the increasing pressure to focus on breaking news was particularly interesting: “I think most news reporters at The New York Times, and at most other newspapers as well, would tell you that… Continue reading Breaking News vs. Traditional Newswriting
Premature Reporting on the Web
Marc Andreessen illustrates how the the web has created a lot of premature “reporting,” especially among tech bloggers. He uses the example of the launch of Facebook’s new platform, which happened five weeks ago: “If the backlash against Facebook’s platform has begun, then let me now start the backlash against the backlash.”
Visual Journalism: Using Maps to Report News
Mark Glaser takes a look at the online mapping phenomenon, with a good overview and a look at how people are sharing data and participating in social networks through them. He also looks at how media companies are using them to provide local information to readers: “The Washington Post’s Local Explorer helps people track crime,… Continue reading Visual Journalism: Using Maps to Report News
Media Changes, Yet Journalism Remains
Associated Press President and CEO Tom Curley talks about how technology is changing media, but the purpose of journalism remains the same: “Technology may change how journalists work, but it has never changed what journalists do… The clear imperative today is that we have to go where the users are, and fit our content and… Continue reading Media Changes, Yet Journalism Remains
WSJ, NYT, CNN, TIME Add Aggregation to their Websites
Scott Karp reports that many traditional media brands are adding aggregated third-party content to their sites, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Time and CNN. Scott’s reasoning: “Linking to other media companies’ content used to be unthinkable for traditional media brands, but attitudes have changed after Google made $10 billion in advertising by… Continue reading WSJ, NYT, CNN, TIME Add Aggregation to their Websites
Journalism at Risk: Is Professional Reporting in Decline?
Neil Henry, a former Washington Post correspondent, and a professor of journalism at the University of California at Berkeley opines the current state of journalism, amid massive cuts at traditional news sources. Some excerpts: “There certainly won’t be any less news or fewer scandals to report, mind you: Only fewer trained watchdogs on hand to… Continue reading Journalism at Risk: Is Professional Reporting in Decline?
The Online Editorial Process Happens After You Publish, Not Before
Brad Burnham has an interesting take on how publishing is different online: “There is an editorial process on the web – it just happens after something is published, not before.” He is referring to comments and modifications that can be made once something goes live. This also speaks to the shortened news cycle, where news… Continue reading The Online Editorial Process Happens After You Publish, Not Before
NY Times: Taking Online Video Seriously, Despite Lack of Monetization
A goldmine of interesting quotes from NY Times Sr. Vice President of Digital Operations Martin Nisenholtz, regarding The New York Times’ foray into online video. A sampling: “We started to create original video for the web – and grew a desk from a handful to 25 people completely integrated into the newsroom.” “Once reluctant print… Continue reading NY Times: Taking Online Video Seriously, Despite Lack of Monetization