Whither Journalism? A Reading List

Journalists have always been a little too ready to write the story behind the story, which is to say, we devote a disproportionate number of column inches to covering our own industry. Stories devoted to the rise and fall of the short-lived Talk magazine alone could fill a small town library. This all seemed like so much self-obsessed froth until last fall, when the news of our own demise seemed, suddenly, not so premature. As ad revenues plunged and venerable papers began declaring bankruptcy or shuttering their print operations, the navel gazing took on considerable gravitas: How do we save ourselves?

Over the last several weeks a number of possible answers to that question have been put forth. I moderated a roundtable in Boulder that will touch on the future of media, among other questions, and I thought it might be useful to try to organize some of the most prominent voices in this conversation into some sort of order. It's worth noting that the mere fact this debate is taking place is a positive sign. I spent much of my time at Wired chronicling the decline of the recording industry, which seemed intent on marching silently into its own dark, digital night. So we in journalism at least have our very public self-regard going for us. Below pls find an incomplete reading list on the future of journalism:

Start with "End Times," Michael Hirschorn's piece from the January issue of The Atlantic Monthly. He set off a firestorm by pondering—persuasively—whether The New York Times could go out of business as early as this May, and what form a world without the Grey Lady might take. "Ultimately the death of The New York Times—or at least its print edition—would be a sentimental moment, and a severe blow to American journalism. But a disaster? In the long run, maybe not."

With this dystopian vision in your head, you'll want some reassurance. Pick up historian Jill Lepore's New Yorker essay, "Back Issues: The Day the Newspaper Died," to be reminded, as Twain said, that while history doesn't repeat itself, it does rhyme. "The last time the American newspaper business got this gothic was 1765, just after the first gothic novel."

The "Micropayments" Argument:

On January 12 the New York Times media columnist David Carr proposed a novel solution to the newspapers' dilemma: Create an iTunes for news content. In summing up the music label's complaint about Apple, Carr writes: "Those of us in the newspaper business could not be blamed for hoping that someone like [Jobs] comes along and ruins our business as well by pulling the same trick: Convincing the millions of interested readers who get their news every day free on newspapers sites that it's time to pay up."

And then a few weeks later no less a luminary than Walter Isaacson endorsed the broad strokes of such an effort in a Time Magazine cover article. "Under a micropayment system, a newspaper might decide to charge a nickel for an article or a dime for that day's full edition or $2 for a month's worth of Web access. Some surfers would balk, but I suspect most would merrily click through if it were cheap and easy enough."

Sounds reasonable, right? Well, no, reasons Clay Shirky, it doesn't. First, he points out that the term micropyaments doesn't even apply, as it refers to payments measured in cents or even fractions thereof. More importantly, it just wouldn't work: "Such systems solve no problem the user has, and offer no service we want. As a result, conversations about small payments take place entirely among content providers, never involving us, the people who will ostensibly be funding these transactions."

And then there was a simultaneous debate occuring over another proposal altogether: Having newspapers mimic non-profit institutions like universities.

The Endowment Argument:

Yale Chief Investment Officer David Swensen and financial analyst Michael Schmidt got the ball rolling on January 28th in a New York Times op-ed entitled, "News You Can Endow." The authors argued that "by endowing our most valued sources of news we would free them from the strictures of an obsolete business model and offer them a permanent place in society." It lent the imprimatur of two respected financial minds to a topic that's been discussed in newsrooms for several years.

Later that day New Yorker writer and former Washington Post managing editor Steve Coll weighed in with some compelling math: "If the Washington Post had a $2 billion endoment, it would be able to fund a very healthy newsroom. And this is before revenue from continuing operations—advertising, circulation, etc. ..."

But this prospect comes with its own considerable problems. Coll returned to the subject a few days later to address some of the concerns brought up in the wake of his original post. For one, there's a limit to the amount of philanthropy dollars available to news organizations—and some of that is already going to support innovative newsrooms like the nonprofit Voice of San Diego. Slate's respected media critic Jack Shaefer poured some cold water on the endowment idea on February 3, pondering why, if these news-gathering institutions are so vital to 'our democratic constitutional system' (Coll) ... not enough paying customers can be found to support them. "There's something disconcerting about wanting to divorce the newspaper from market pressures." This argument received a lot of traction in the blogosphere, whose members would like to see newspapers innovate their way out of their struggles. Easier said then done.

As for me, I have my own, somewhat half-baked idea: Collective licensing. These are generally mentioned in the context of the music industry, the general outlines of the proposal being that ISPs would collect some small monthly sum from its subscribers that would then be doled out to the labels based on complicated formulas relating to usage. The smart money is on collective licensing as the only route to sustaining a label in a world that shows no decline in illegal file-sharing. Which isn't to say it's gained much traction—outside the Isle of Man anyway. I wonder if such a program might be the way to support Internet content broadly.

Comments

[kraloyun]

thanks admin very good...

[Winstrol]

Hope you'll survive

[NFL Jerseys]

Are you a sports fan? Me too, which team do you like, do you want to find your favorite team's jerseys ? just log on to: http://www.facecuk.com. you won't miss it.

[one dollar items]

do you like, do you want to find your favorite team's jerseys ? just log on to:

[MBT Shoes]

have tried to contact you often -- I am a musician who is spreading positive music, and I often do

[Health News]

Thank you for introducing me the wonderful information.And .....Totally boring.!

[home security system]

For robbers and professionals adept at figuring out the best times to strike.

[Health News]

yeah truly a great site.I really enjoyed my visit.

[olive oil health]

Neither does your local grocery store.

[bridesmaiddresses]

Being a bridesmaid is an honor and a responsibility. Bridesmaids support the bride emotionally, help with wedding planning tasks of all sorts, and can bear a

significant financial burden. While you want your maid of honor and bridesmaids to look beautiful at the wedding, you also want to keep their monetary obligation to

a minimum. Finding less-expensive bridesmaids' dresses can make things easier on your friends and family. Learn where to shop for dresses that are pretty, wearable

and affordable.

[Discount MBT Shoes]

there may be also three recurrent confront types which could combinations of two elements: rare metal and Wood, h2o and Wood, Fire and Wood; however, any elemental confront course may probably combination with almost every other element, as well as in combinations, elements may probably allow or hinder one another.

[Coach handbags]

That’s an appealing stance you took. When I look at the title, I right away had a disagreement of opinion, but I do see your side.

[Brian Campbell jersey]

Your article is really good,give me a new view!

[HESTERCRAFT22]

I received my first business loans when I was 32 and it supported my business very much. Nevertheless, I need the collateral loan over again.

[chaussures femmes]

We have gotten many great comments from our customers and earn a good reputation in foreign makerts, more than 90% customers are satisfied with our products and service, till now our online members are beyond 80,000. As of right now, we currently serve customers from over 18 countries, and we are still growing. We really hope to expand our business through cooperation with individuals and companies from around the world.

[Burberry Outlet]

We really hope to expand our business through cooperation with individuals and companies from around the world.

[LED street light]

I right away had a disagreement of opinion, but I do see your side.

[ewenni77]

Variazioni moderate può deludere le economie in attesa solo per un grande andare - ma probabilmente accontentare tutti coloro che temono che questa situazione di stallo di Fed può proprio così deve rilasciare la borsa ristretto con l'ingranaggio di bilancio. [url=http://www.bootsebay.net/boots-uomo-wholesale-35.html]stivali uomo[/url] , "Il governo Federal Reserve selezioni sono generalmente limitati, tuttavia, non viene speso ", ha affermato l'economista Joshua Feinman durante Deutsche Lender. Non ci sono suggerisce dal dato di per sé Giovedi sul campo con le discussioni. Ultima conferenza del FOMC in 9 agosto ha creato una sorta di impegno per contribuire a mantenere i tassi di interesse a casa e anche, [url=http://www.bootsebay.net/boots-uomo-wholesale-35.html]stivali uomo[/url] , a bassissima concentrazione per altri due anni diversi, uno sforzo per migliorare ulteriormente che la sicurezza di sé delle persone che possono avere la capacità di per equipaggiare questa economia insieme a impostare i lavori - il più grande problema per il governo federale al momento.

[Damen Stiefel]

Troy Davis abgeschlossen war, dass nachts für jeden Mord an einem Polizist außer Dienst nach dem OUGHOUT ausgeführt. Azine. Besser, [url=http://www.uggkaufen.net/]ugg stiefel[/url] , sagte der Gerichtssaal in letzter Minute aufzuhalten mit Leistung unter weit verbreiteten Strafgericht Zweifel hinsichtlich der Schuld. Davis, 40, starb mit 13: 08 Uhr ET, durch ein neues Georgien Division mit Änderungen gebilligt berichtet. Sein / ihr zu sterben, indem Sie einfach Terminal Schuss kam unmittelbar nach der rund vierstündigen hold off im Hinblick auf zugelassene untersuchen. Augenzeugen, [url=http://www.uggkaufen.net/jimmy-choo-ugg-wholesale-1.html]Jimmy Choo ugg[/url] , definiert diese Gefühle in der Leistung Kammer, weil "düster", weil Davis erschienen in geschnallt mit einer Bahre auf Rädern sein. Er sagte, seine Unschuld zu einer endgültigen Frist, innerhalb der 1989 ermordet zu sehen, dass Zeugen neben Familie gegen den Willen eines Empfängers - off-duty Savannah, Ga., Polizist Mark MacPhail - am aussah.

[Tory Burch Outlet]

As of right now, we currently serve customers from over 18 countries, and we are still growing. We really hope to expand our business through cooperation with individuals and companies from around the world.

[žogi]

Great reading list, thanks!

[Tory Burch Outlet]

We really hope to expand our business through cooperation with individuals and companies from around the world.

[Tera Item]

I wouldnt be suprised if a social media campaign didnt do well in the corporate atmoshphere.

[pandora uk]

You had some nice points here. I done a research on the topic and got most peoples will agree with you

[sharry]

it's interesting
http://www.justlovewatch.com