The Evolution of the Newspaper of the Future by Chris Lapham explores the advancement of the nespaper world into a digital form. I am more than ecstatic to FINALLY read a piece that not only embraces, but promotes the idea of digital journalism.
Many people in society are fearful of change, therefore reject the idea of utilizing the newspaper digitally, stating the realm of the newspaper industry is becoming extinct. Yet, how is retrieving the news from an online source truthfully any different from reading the newspaper? Sure, there is an inability to physically turn the page, while your fingers accumulate the gray ink off the page, SO wouldn't it be easier to simply click what is desired to be read? There is great opportunity within the utilization of the Web as a media source of information, we are able to navigate more than one site at a time, allowing the opportunity to retrieve news in a multitude. Technology in society is changing drastically; we can either embrace the new world, or forever fall behind.....
Ann Arbor News is a great example to support the prediction of a hybrid model as Dr. Tracy forecasted. Ann Arbor News still offers a print version on Thursday and Sunday, yet retains the majority of publication online: CONVERGENCE to the realm of digital journalism! The website allows the reader easy accesibilty to any source of information, with the ability to search engine a specific topic.
Locals of the Ann Arbor area stated feelings of sadness and disbelief as stated in the article posted on the site:http://www.annarbor.com/news/people-saddened-by-closing-of-the-ann-arbor-news/. While reading the article, I noticed bias stated in the article regarding the demographics of the people who were interviewed and quoted. For example, Ed Davidson, owner of Bivouac, a custom outdoor clothing & equipment store, stated: "I curl up in front of the fireplace on Sunday and read the newspaper. My kids curl up in front of the fireplace with their laptops." Davidson confirms the notion that those of an older generation will be hesitant and skeptical of the new age world of journalism, yet younger generations are embracing the changes and allowing the technological advancements to flourish.
I personally feel that the ability to utilize digital journalism has opened the door to so many opportunities that did not exist before. Digital journalism allows an open forum between the journalist and reader, creating a personal relationship that was not explored once before. The ability to communicate freely, openly and at the click of the mouse is astounding!
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I agree with you, the door that has been opened is laying a path of so many new exciting opportunities that never existed before.
ReplyDeleteI too agree...digital journalism does open many doors to many different things...it surprises me how scared people are about swtiching over, when doing so will provide so many more opportunities...more importantly fast on the go info
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this entry.
ReplyDelete"I curl up in front of the fireplace on Sunday and read the newspaper. My kids curl up in front of the fireplace with their laptops."
Such a great quote, and so true. Things aren't changing, they are changed. It is impossible to go back to print when digital has so much more to offer. We are just getting started in this new model, and instead of cringing at the thought of print dying, we should try to breathe life into the digital model which struggling to find it's place.