Paying for content…?

I read this article by Michael Learmonth titled “Wanted: Online Payment Plan for Print” – it’s long, but a great read.

“It was as if the media woke up, saw its shadow and realized that the print world, including American capital-J journalism, is in mid-collapse. It’s finally dawning that this isn’t just about the economy, and it’s not going to suddenly get better when the Dow finally starts chugging upward again.”

There are several differing opinions in this piece: MSNBC.com President Charlie Tillinghast says, “Consumers won’t pay; it’s just that simple.” But the owner of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Walter E. Hussman, has been charging individuals $4.95 a month to access his publication’s website. He says their circulation has remained “steady” while others newspapers are floundering.

Traditional VS. “New” Journalism

I found a great article on Twitter posted by Mindy McAdams. The article, Newsgathering IS production IS distribution by Paul Bradshaw, discusses the structure of traditional journalism as well as what the structure looks like NOW.

Bradshaw says, “The more active, visible and social you are online, the better for your work both commercially and editorially.” I think this quote really sums up what our Practicum III class is about. Traditional media is fading away, but we have so many opportunities and exciting new tools to use and explore as we continue to pursue journalism.

All that being said – check out the article!