New Journalism?

Where do you fit in on the idea of print versus online media? Do you think the end of local newspapers, radio and television stations is just a sign of the times (changing economy and changing technology) or do you see things differently?

From the Shores of Introspect and Retrospect posted about the closing of the local newspaper in Colorado.

I posted my own comment below:

It's very foolish to think the "new media" will or can take the place of a published newspaper for an area. For one thing, there are few new media sources which focus on any one area. One person publishers can not be unbiased in their reporting and they can not be everywhere and find the news which a staffed newspaper can.

Also, though few would think it important, the advertising flyers which we rely on to find where the specials are each week. While newspapers are a great source of local events, local business reviews too, let's not ignore the local sales too. Online media can not offer what a newspaper has to offer.

I think relying on bloggers and new media will not be good for our language skills either. Someone who has not be trained as an Editor or other type of English language professional makes mistakes in spelling, grammar and punctuation. I like to think I am above average but I know I am not perfect. There are mistakes which I make (over and over without knowing) which a professional editor would catch, and fix.

This post is especially hitting home for me as we are seeing the possible end of your local TV station here in Barrie. Mainly a money thing. But, I think money is the symptom of the cause. People are relying on the Internet for news and entertainment. There is less of the market for TV, radio and print than there was before the Internet. But, I don't think the old forms of media are invalid or no longer needed. Each fills a different need and utilizes the resources for news and communications in different ways.