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 Although many of the tactics are outdated it is still an awesome read to learn about the counterculture of America in the 1960’s and 70’s. (That link contains the entire book if you're interested.)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 Although many of the tactics are outdated it is still an awesome read to learn about the counterculture of America in the 1960’s and 70’s. (That link contains the entire book if you're interested.)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.
The other problem is that advertising revenue for newspapers from their online sites is significantly less than what their print products traditionally made. Not that I object to journalism majors, of course. Interesting post.
ReplyDeleteVery true, but when (or if) newspapers do go completely online they will have to charge people to access the sight. The question is how much will people be willing to pay for a years online subscription and will that, plus the money saved from not printing and distributing, equal the amount a regular paper makes now. A lot of newspapers can be read online without a fee, I don't see that lasting too long because people will stop paying for the print edition... which is already happening. So maybe these newspapers are already in a transitional stage.
ReplyDeleteI don't think news in print will be completely eliminated in the next 10 years, and I'm willing to put money on that.
ReplyDeletePersonally I don't think news is something that anyone should have to pay for, but when journalists add their insight and opinions then it becomes something of worth and you're right, hopefully they will be able to make enough money with the online sales.
If you're really interested in journalism as a career, you have to do more than just switch your major. The UNH program prepares you, essentially, to be a marginally-competent writer at the local newspaper. Journalism isn't just about writing any more, and that the university still keeps it in the English department shows how behind-the-times they are.
ReplyDeleteIf I could go back and plan my courses again, knowing what I know now, here's what I'd do
• Take Newswriting, Advanced Newswriting, Editing and Multimedia reporting.
• Take as many other writing workshop courses are available ie Anything called Advanced Nonfiction Writing".
• Take Technical Writing if they start to include any of the Adobe CS4 programs in the syallabus.
• Consider spending a semester at UNH Manchester taking their video production courses.
• Take photography if they start using digital photography and editing to the course. Consider taking it even if they don't to learn about picture composition and the Rule of Thirds.
• Take courses in computer programming up to a moderately high-level (beyond HTML and CSS).
• Take the new social media class
• Plan for 2 or 3 internships if you can fit them. I think this is one of the biggest faults of the UNH program. Other schools send students out to internships as sophomores, while UNH encourages waiting until the last semester of senior year. That puts UNH students years behind the curve of other schools. Get in a real environment early and try to get a couple different types, such as a local newsroom, a start-up news website and a TV station. The work is practically the same everywhere
• Take scuba diving or rock climbing or something that gets you an unusual type of certification.
• Study abroad during the summer — and document it as a reporter
• Take courses in things like municipal planning, environmental planning, accounting, contract las, libel law, Nonprofit organization and public polling — foundations that will help you find and write complicated stories.
Or if you know your want to be *just* a writer, consider taking the j-classes as a minor and get your major in something like Economics or environmental science or politics. An expertise in those subjects with a solid foundation in writing skills will make you more marketable to news organizations. Same goes for grad schools if you want to go that route.
Meanwhile, get down to TNH and do as much as you can. Stay as a writer though, being a staff editor will limit your time and clips. More than anything, I wish I could have one more year as a writer, while someone else worried about management.
In my humble (and biased) opinion, TNH is more valuable to UNH j-students than the degree program, and until some major changes are made, it will stay that way.
Thanks a lot John. I really appreciate the advice. You were exponentially more helpful than my advisor. Just contributing to TNH has been the tipping point in wanting to get into that field. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteI have to say too that I don't think papers will be eliminated all together either. I think there is something valuable with the paper and the fact that it has remained so prominant for hundreds of years without much change at all keeps me thinking that.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are right, but you also can't deny the fact that there has been a decrease of public interest in printed journalism in recent years (mostly because of cheaper online sources.) I am not saying that one is better than the other, both sources have their own pros and cons. Either way online journalism is on the rise and it is a whole new field that is still evolving.
ReplyDeleteI actually just took a peek at some of the courses offered at UNH-Manchester in their "Communication Arts" curriculum. The university should seriously consider bringing parts of that program to UNH, it would be a huge benefit to the journalism department. Also, there is a digital photography class now too. I graduated too early apparently.
ReplyDeleteWell, it's never too late to take some night classes! Thanks for the tips.
ReplyDelete