Media Insiders Say Internet Hurts Journalism (Dinosaur Media DeathWatch™)

The Atlantic ^ | April 10, 2009 | Cyra Master

[abb]

In a poll of prominent members of the national news media, nearly two-thirds say the Internet is hurting journalism more than it is helping. The poll, conducted by The Atlantic and National Journal, asked 43 media insiders whether, on balance, journalism has been helped more or hurt more by the rise of news consumption online. Sixty-five percent said journalism has been hurt more, while 34 percent said it has been helped more.

The media insiders were also asked about coverage of President Obama. Of 45 respondents, 71 percent say it has been “about right,” 22 percent say it’s been “too easy” and 7 percent say it has been “too tough.”

Those who say that news consumption on the Internet is, on balance, hurting journalism note the way the online experience is changing reader habits.The “hurt more” group also says that while the Internet offers benefits, the cost to traditional media and news-gathering is too high.

“The Internet has some plusses: It has widened the circle of those participating in the national debate. But it has mortally wounded the financial structure of the news business so that the cost of doing challenging, independent reporting has become all but prohibitive all over the world. It has blurred the line between opinion and fact and created a dynamic in which extreme thought flourishes while balanced judgment is imperiled.”

“A year ago, I would have given a different answer. The increases in audience reach and communication with the audience are incredibly gratifying. But the cost to the business model (R.I.P. Seattle P-I) and the inability of the business model to monetize the Internet means that there is a disturbing net cost to newsgathering. If you're not covering your delegation in D.C., state legislature, or city council, bad things are going to happen, undiscovered.”

snip

[abb]

Sigh. I can almost write their stuff in my sleep. Such crybabies...

[abb]

ping

[goodnesswins]

YEAH.....TRUTH HURTS!

[abb]

Here’s the list of the clowns they polled:

Respondents to the Atlantic/National Journal Media Insider’s Poll: Peter Beinart, Gloria Borger, David Brooks, Carl Cannon, Tucker Carlson, Jonathan Chait, Roger Cohen, Steve Coll, Sam Donaldson, Bob Edwards, James Fallows, Howard Fineman, Frank Foer, Ron Fournier, Jeffrey Goldberg, Jeff Greenfield, Glenn Greenwald, David Gregory, Mark Halperin, Christopher Hitchens, Al Hunt, Mort Kondracke, Jim Lehrer, Ruth Marcus, Joshua Micah Marshall, Chris Matthews, Jane Mayer, Doyle McManus, John Micklethwait, Dana Milbank, Markos Moulitsas, Katherine McIntire Peters, Todd Purdum, Cokie Roberts, Eugene Robinson, Tom Shoop, Roger Simon, Scott Simon, Ray Suarez, Nina Totenberg, Linda Wertheimer, Leon Wieseltier, Juan Williams, Judy Woodruff, Fareed Zakaria.

[allmost]

How can you spin the news when someone’s got a laptop exposing your BS in real time?

[Enterprise]

[freedomlover]

They say the Internet “hurts” journalism.

I say their “journalism” hurts America.

[VeniVidiVici]

In another poll, 90% of horse and buggy makers said the horseless carriage was hurting their business.

[freedomlover]

"If you're not covering your delegation in D.C., state legislature, or city council, bad things being done by conservatives are going to happen, undiscovered.” "

There, fixed.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The Atlantic. Perfect.

[abb]

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2009/04/10/taking_care_of_business/
Taking care of business

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/04/10/many_say_theyd_pay_for_the_globe_online/
Many say they’d pay for the Globe online

http://thephoenix.com/BLOGS/dontquoteme/archive/2009/04/09/sizing-up-the-times-co-s-globe-stewardship.aspx
Sizing up the Times Co.’s Globe stewardship

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090427/alterman
Lose the ‘Business’; Save the News?

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-times10-2009apr10,0,1258830.story
Times’ front-page ad sparks outcry

http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/04/forget-bad-journalism-the-lat-front-page-ad-is-bad-advertising/
Forget bad journalism. The LAT front page ad is bad advertising

http://www.xconomy.com/national/2009/04/10/boston-can-survive-even-thrive-without-todays-globe/
Boston Can Survive, Even Thrive, Without Today’s Globe

[TomGuy]

Of course it hurts.

They have been the ‘filter’ for years. Now, people can bypass them and get unfiltered information.

They claimed to be the ‘vetters’ of elections. Yet, their own ‘journalists’, including Tom Brokaw, have basically admitted their failure in vetting Barak Obama.

Of course it hurts.

It hurt when Internet pajama bloggers are more viable than Jason Blair, than the faked Palestinian photographs, than Dan Rather and the faxed faux-document, and dozens of other examples of media ineptitude.

[Neoliberalnot]

Really? LOL! the old media no longer has a monopoly to screech their corrupt drivel as news in an unfair and biased manner?? Gee, we, the public, have other options. we are no longer the captive audience of big brother TV blaring the filtered, massaged, and created news dictated by a dozen decision/propaganda makers. Imagine that—it is called freedom of the press you pompous swine.

[abb]

http://adage.com/campaigntrail/post?article_id=135894
Liberal Bloggers to Dems: Advertise With Us. Or Else

http://gawker.com/5205509/left+wing-blogs-try-on-extortion-as-a-business-model
Left-Wing Blogs Try on Extortion as a Business Model

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/195976-Equity_Media_Sets_Auction_For_Stations.php
Equity Media Sets Auction For Stations
Beleaguered broadcaster holds fire sale April 16

http://www.buzzmachine.com/
Media’s change-haters

[alloysteel]

Most of the injuries the “journalists” claim to have suffered have been self-inflicted. For one, if the incoming news does not fit the template, it is either distorted until it does, or it is discarded and not reported at all. Either way, the news from the mainstream media has been pureed, filtered and diluted to the point it is unrecognizable to the persons who were actually there.

Live television has a way of making an impact that cracks, but does not destroy, this facade, as it is still possible to build and extend illusions via the TV screen, by artful placement and subtle misdirection. The internet and the bloggers are like little termites, eating away from behind this facade, and even causing it to split wide open in places. The cell phone, which allows almost instanteous communication from the front lines, so to speak, has been the most effective tool in swift dissemination of raw information, and an immediate answer before the spin even gets out there.

This alternate source can also spread rumors and wrong interpretations WAY faster than the newspapers or journals ever did. Just watch Twitter in action.

[thecabal]

That looks like a balanced list...

[eaglestar]

Did the media insiders also admit that Rush Limbaugh, Fox News, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, the Schnitt Show and many other conservative talk radio outlets are also hurting the ADM (Agenda Driven Media)?