Where is Journalism Headed?

March 25, 2010 | Posted by: Melissa Chadwick

The AP reported today that newspaper ad revenue (print and online) is down 27 percent last year. That number is a $37.8 billion drop and represents its lowest level since 1986 – although there was slight improvement at the end of 2009. I don’t think these numbers are a surprise to anyone, right?  It just continues to compound the growing number of stories around the struggling newspaper industry.  If you’re following @themediaisdying on Twitter, you know what I’m talking about here.

So how are these realities, coupled with the economy, impacting news reporting?  I’ve heard from multiple reporters that long, investigative feature articles seem to be a relic of the past – as editors demand quick-to-the-point pieces with snappy headlines aimed to capture ad dollar clicks from readers with increasingly limited attention spans.  I’m speaking in generalities here of course; I know you still take the time to support good journalism.

On the bright side, the state of news industry is not going unnoticed.  In fact, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced today funding for a journalism initiative focused on increasing original local reporting in multiple regions across the country.  Bravo, I say, to public media for funneling dollars to meet, “…the needs of local communities at a time when access to high quality, original reporting is declining."  On the other hand, does anyone remember what happened to Washington Post’s LoudounExtra.com “experiment”? 

Regional newspapers in particular don’t have it easy in their struggle to find new ways to survive amongst their brothers in bankruptcy.  Take for example the content deal the San Francisco Chronicle struck up with Bloomberg yesterday to expand their business reporting.  I wonder if we’ll see more of these deals and I question how readers will react as more and more publications syndicate news from other sources to meet content, budget and staffing needs.

I am by no means trying to spread doom and gloom, so what do you think about the state of journalism? Can you admit to having changed your news consumption behavior?  Are you a reporter feeling the pressure to write stories that drive traffic while balancing the need for journalistic integrity?  How do you think subscription and pay-for-content models will evolve?  Share with me!