This is kinda lengthy for a blog post and it doesn't have too much to do with UNH, but it is something I think anyone interested in journalism might like to read. It's just my some of my rambling ideas on the possible future of journalism.
In the late 1960's and early 70’s Abbie Hoffman, a leader of the yippie generation, wrote a book called “Steal This Book.” It was written to teach people how to survive in America with little to no money. Although many of the tactics are outdated it is still an awesome read to learn about the counterculture of America in the 1960’s and 70’s. (That link contains the entire book if you're interested.) In the introduction Hoffman wrote:
In the late 1960's and early 70’s Abbie Hoffman, a leader of the yippie generation, wrote a book called “Steal This Book.” It was written to teach people how to survive in America with little to no money. Although many of the tactics are outdated it is still an awesome read to learn about the counterculture of America in the 1960’s and 70’s. (That link contains the entire book if you're interested.) In the introduction Hoffman wrote:
“There is a saying that ‘Freedom of the press belongs to those who own one.’ In past eras, this was probably the case, but now, high-speed methods of typesetting, offset printing and a host of other developments have made substantial reductions in printing costs. Literally anyone is free to print their own works. In even the most repressive society imaginable, you can get away with some form of private publishing… To talk of true freedom of the press, we must talk of the availability of the channels of communication that are designed to reach the entire population, or at least that segment of the population that might participate in such a dialogue. Freedom of the press belongs to those that own the distribution system. Perhaps that has always been the case, but in a mass society where nearly everyone is instantaneously plugged into a variety of national communications systems, widespread dissemination of the information is the crux of the matter.
Keep in mind Hoffman wrote that in 1971. Well before computers, cell phones, the internet, blackberries and iphones. It is pretty crazy to think that in 1971 people thought they were “instantaneously plugged into a variety of national communications systems.” Look what we have now with handheld internet devices that allow instant access to websites like twitter, wikipedia, youtube and various message boards and blogs. Literally anyone can write or read about an incident or event just seconds after it occurs, without publication issues. (For all I know someone could have blogged about this same thing, I wouldn't be surprised at all.) Take a look at this time lapse of the Wikipedia page for the Virginia Tech massacres. This 30 second clip shows how the page grew in the first 12 hours following the shooting.
I think that is pretty crazy how fast updates can be made and the public can be notified. Students at UNH experience this first hand every time there is an emergency alert text sent out. Is this a good thing? Does it create safety or hostility? Currently, people discussing changes to the alert system because every time we get one of those texts or emails so does WMUR and other local news outlets who relay the message to the public. These outlets then become bombarded with calls from worried parents because the full story is still unknown. Anyways, back to my original point...Keep in mind Hoffman wrote that in 1971. Well before computers, cell phones, the internet, blackberries and iphones. It is pretty crazy to think that in 1971 people thought they were “instantaneously plugged into a variety of national communications systems.” Look what we have now with handheld internet devices that allow instant access to websites like twitter, wikipedia, youtube and various message boards and blogs. Literally anyone can write or read about an incident or event just seconds after it occurs, without publication issues. (For all I know someone could have blogged about this same thing, I wouldn't be surprised at all.) Take a look at this time lapse of the Wikipedia page for the Virginia Tech massacres. This 30 second clip shows how the page grew in the first 12 hours following the shooting.
Hoffman talks about how new printing presses have created low cost printing methods, which has allowed for anyone to private publish. Imagine if Hoffman had internet access? What would have become of this generation in America if they were able to blog and truly have instantaneous communication?
They probably would have never printed that book, but created a blog or website. Maybe something like this: a "Steal This Wiki" page that has taken Hoffman's work and updated and expanded on it.
Hoffman says how the "freedom of the press belongs to those that own the distribution system." The internet completely eliminates the distribution system and while many people are calling this the downfall of journalism, I think it is just a rebirth. In 10 years there may be no more print newspapers and magazines left, but they will all be online with paid both free and priced services. Think about the possibilities for newspapers without having to spend money on printing and distribution. Plus they will be able to make advertising money just like any other website. William Randolph Hearst (the ultimate newspaper mogul and godfather of yellow journalism) will be rolling in his grave! I chose those last two links on purpose because they are prime examples of internet magic: Mini youtube documentaries by "watchmojo.com"... Who?
I just watched a full length piece on Hearst and the guy was crazy. To gain more readers he created his own news by paying people to jump into San Francisco Bay and then he would write the heroic story of their rescue, or how no bystanders helped them, and publish it on the front page! With online journalism propaganda and yellow journalism will be even more blended in with real statistics and research and it will be up to the people to decide who and what to believe. We already have this problem, but when journalism goes completely online it will be even more prevalent. Heck, even Stephenson Billings calls himself an Investigative Journalist!
I am not an expert on the history of journalism, or history or journalism. These are just some of my random and unorganized thoughts and opinions on what the future of journalism might become. With the advances of technology over the past thirty years, who knows what will become available in the years to come, but I want to be apart of it. This is some of the stuff I had to explain to my friends and relatives over the holidays when I told them I plan on switching my major to journalism. They all gave me that "your going to be poor, even if you can find a job" face...
Stay classy, not UMassy.
