2009.04.10
Oh, you need money to generate content?
Bloggers have been so busy patting themselves on the back as the replacement for newspapers that they forgot one important thing: They need money.
Declining ad revenue at newspapers is no secret, but the self-declared replacements aren't raking in ad dollars either.
Several prominent, liberal bloggers recently complained to a Washington Post writer that the big Democratic spenders aren't buying enough ads or offering enough fellowships.
Turns out the new media is just as vulnerable as the old media to the myth that producing the news is free. Welcome to the club.
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My YouTube clips of all candidate announcements (R's and D's) are being used on their websites - Now a couple have asked and are crediting me and linking back but 2 so far have not responded to my request for credit.... no money just asking for credit. Soon to be deleted clips?
Comment by Valerie — April 10, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
My own biggest issue is that so many of the bloggers just cater to a particular political ideology or cause and therefore almost all lack the overall context and perspective that the MSM tries to give. While I have several blog sites I look at regularly, some even daily, I still cling to my local paper and TV Stations to complement my knowledge base. It is like ONLY reading the editorial pages and thinking you know all you need to know and that is as silly as it is dangerous. There is a real danger of the further division and militant actions if this monster is fed instead of starved in my opinion. I must say, even I am shocked at the right wing nut job melt downs and ridiculous fears being mongered. There is no way the revenue stream will be able to support an unlimited number of alternate news sites. Not to mention the interdependence of the medium on the MSM in the first place. While many blogs and websites are interesting, interactive and cater just to me, it is easy to overload and I come back time and again to the tried and true webpages of my old favorite local paper and TV Stations to keep me grounded and informed. I think the Roanoke Times is on the right track in getting itself well established as a web presence and offering something for us all. The ecomonic reality is harsh for all right now and slicing the pie pieces thinner will only work for so long. May the best sites win.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — April 10, 2009 @ 11:21 pm
Sandi,
Very well put. I have been reading quite a bit on MSM's woes. Some blame the conglomerates and their obsession for the bottom line - reduction of resources for journalism - the bottom line taking precedence over news. Stories get bumped or shortened for advertising space. Space is a premium per a journalist.
A case was made that newspapers’ going online was just a sideline at first but now has become a substitute for print. In other words it was a mistake for the MSM to put content online "free" not realizing it would reduce subscriptions and online advertising dollars would not support it.
One thing for sure - no one news source can cover everything nor cover every aspect of a story. This is where other online media fills in the gaps. However, just as advertising drives the MSM there is danger in embellishment to increase online traffic. Bloggers attack other bloggers viciously. I have that experience with the Harbinger continuously. You don't see MSM (well maybe cable) attack each other. All I've witnessed at least on the local level is an abundance of respect for each other ... the RT and TV news and radio. What I hope will make me a better writer and (I’ll stretch here) journalist/report is to watch how the trained reporters and journalists construct their stories. Those that are critical should give it a try – it is not easy.
Comment by Valerie — April 11, 2009 @ 5:26 pm