Robert Scoble says, “Newspapers are Dead” and that his son will never “subscribe to, nor read, a newspaper.” He’s probably right. Most people my age and younger get their news online or from news/entertainment shows like The Daily Show. I’ll admit to reading papers daily, but that’s because it’s a part of my job- Otherwise I’d get all of my info online, as well (and I consider myself to be a total news junkie).
Doc Searls has eleven insights for saving newspapers, and includes comments from Web luminaries Dave Winer and Tim O’Reilly. Much of his advice seems to borrow concepts from blogs and social media, such as linking out, ceasing charging for news online, opening up archives, and partnering with bloggers.
Some “old media” giants are slowly opening up to new ways of reporting the news- USA Today recently adopted several “community” features, such as allowing readers to vote on stories (ala Digg). CNN launched I-Report, a call for citizen journalists to send them stories. While it’s been good for topics like reporting severe weather, the full potential hasn’t come close to being realized.
I know it’s cliche, but it’s a changing media landscape, and newspapers are beginning to feel the heat. I look forward to seeing how newspapers can adopt new strategies and innovations to “adapt and thrive,” as Doc Searls writes, in such a world.
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