Comments on: “Silent Presses” White Paper

By: Rob Brown

Rob Brown — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:22:00 +0000

Brandon,
Great information. Thanks!

By: Brandon Scott

Brandon Scott — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:32:36 +0000

Another good source of information on this topic is a report developed from a survey of members of the Online News Association. The survey was produced by the Association and the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism. Their report is based on responses from 292 members of the Online News Association in the United States and around the world. It was administered by Princeton Survey Research Associates International and completed in 2009. You can read about it at http://www.stateofthemedia.org/2009/narrative_survey_intro.php?media=3

By: Brad Hepp

Brad Hepp — Tue, 05 May 2009 00:42:08 +0000

It is true that “Many retirees favor printed information over electronic media.” But, that may not be true for long. The next generation of retirees will be people who are comfortable with–and recognize the advantages of–electronic media. If I ever get to the exalted status of “retiree,” I for one will understand that electronic media is searchable, that it can be copied and pasted, that if the type is too small for my eyes, I can make it larger with the push of a button, etc. As various technologies have moved from analog to digital, we have doubted that the analog would ever really be replaced…. That was certainly true of film just a few years ago. But who wants to buy my old 35mm Nikons now? Anyone?

By: Rob Brown

Rob Brown — Tue, 05 May 2009 00:20:38 +0000

The white paper suggests there will be a rapid decline in the number of print publications, and those that remain will be more expensive and targeted to an older population, i.e., those who are not “digital natives.” One scenario could be several national newspapers such as the Wall St. Journal, the New York Times, and USA today still being published and delivered daily, with higher priced subscriptions. Regarding magazines, I think many will agree that in the last 20 years, we”ve seen a glut of magazines but a steady decline in the overall quality of content as a result of too many competitors for the same advertising dollars. My hope is that as the number of magazines declines, quality of content and format will improve. Time will tell.

By: Rene' Comer

Rene' Comer — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:59:37 +0000

So, are you saying that you don’t think there will be any printed newspapers or magazines in the future? Many retirees favor printed information over electronic media. Advertisers need an outlet besides electronic media. Printed and electronic information used in tandem seem the best for our future. It seems printed media may decrease even more, but not to the point of extinction.

By: Brad Hepp

Brad Hepp — Sat, 02 May 2009 21:18:12 +0000

My Web site clients are increasingly aware that they need to incorporate blogs in their sites, and to make use of email campaigns. That trend bodes well for professional writers. Like Rob Brown suggested, “the demand for quality content is increasing.” BUT, many writers will need to adjust how they market their skills to be recognized as the solution to this increasing demand. They may have to do more self-promotion. They may need to experiment with their own blogs, send out their own newsletters, and take advantage of social networking tools.

By: Rob Brown

Rob Brown — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:44:54 +0000

Brian,

Thank you for posting this link to a very heartfelt and touching elegy from the staff. It is a sad moment for Seattle and for all of us, the passing of this great newspaper. I can’t help but think, though, that once those interviewed in the video pass through their own sadness and grief they will start to realize that there is an ongoing demand for the content they deliver. One of the persons in the video said that everyone thinks the newspaper is about the stories and the photos, but it is really about the people. I would build on that statement by saying that yes newspapers are about the people behind the stories and photos, and they are not about ink and paper. My hope is that all of the people interviewed in the video find new media outlets and continue to produce excellent content. The demand for quality content is increasing, not diminishing. All that is changing is how the content is delivered.

By: Brian Brandt

Brian Brandt — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 13:13:54 +0000

Also see “Remembering the Seattle Post-Intelligencer,” a 10-minute reflective video by PI staff about their memories of working at their paper – http://www.seattlepi.com/local/403848_pimain.html