RE: Whither, Print Media (part ii)

Tom, what really gets me about the potential death of print news is the changing scope of the news itself. Newspapers like the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and others are tangible pieces of history. They represent some of the most respected reporters and most highly-read stories in the nation. Reporters at these publications have (presumably) worked hard to take a place among the industry’s elite. They (hopefully) try hard to be fair and researched in their reporting of the days’ headlines. They are an important element to the cohesion of the United States historically and still, I believe, today. Without our news at the doorstep, where does this leave the future of news, reporters and our headlines?

This gets to the center of what constitutes news and what the real story is, has been or will be. Already, people have turned online for a wide variety of their news. Does this bring into question credibility and accountability issues? Change the way we as PR professionals measure news reach? Make it easier for any Joe Shmoe to become a “reporter” online and make rule-less reporting the norm? Is fair and balanced reporting a thing of the past and do we now just go online to find someone who shares our version of the truth?

What do you think?