The world has changed; see Egypt for an example

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about how the media world is undergoing massive changes. In large part, that's because I'm teaching a class in alternative media, which focuses one's thinking. One of the key points is the question of what is alternative media? As one of the students said, to her and her generation, newspapers and magazines are alternatives.

But it really hit home today when reading of Egypt's shutting down the Internet. With new media and the communications possibilities of the Internet, alternatives abound, and the old world, like Humpty Dumpty, can't be put together again.

Was Olbermann fired just because his bosses could fire him?

Salon writer Steve Kornacki reasons that MSNBC doesn't need Keith Olbermann because he was successful in setting a new identity for the network.

Kornacki's thesis is that Olbermann brought a strong liberal voice to the network when it needed an identity. MSNBC responded by bringing abroad liberal hosts like Rachael Maddow (an Olbermann find) and creating a strong fan base.

On the other hand, the coincidence of the firing coming right before a right-leaning corporation takes over MSNBC's parent is almost too much to believe, and if Kornacki's right, then that makes it even more likely that Olbermann's firing is political in nature.

Bonnie Brennen gets civility right

Marquette Journalism Professor Bonnie Brennen gets it right in a story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that looks at the state of discourse today.

The newspaper asked "six Wisconsin professors whose specialties are history, political science or communication" about the state of discourse. The other five -- including a couple of personal friends of mine -- correctly said that political discourse has been very unpleasant throughout our history, including duels and attacks on the Capitol floor. But Brennen brought the discussion to communication (which is really what we're all talking about)." There is seemingly no interest in having a rational conversation," she was quoted as saying.

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater communications professor Richard Haven also looked at the question beyond merely discourse between political figures to discuss our public conversation, citing "instant communication" and extreme political positions as reasons for a sharp decline in politically civility.

When robots choose the news . . .

Interesting news item this morning in my Google News roundup. I have alerts there for stories about newspapers, and this one showed up under the heading "Cop Kills Wife, Child, Self." It's about a South African policeman who killed his wife, child and himself.

It had nothing to do with newspapers. They weren't mentioned in the story, photo captions, heading. Nowhere. So why was it listed under newspapers? Don't have a clue, but it does reinforce my suspicion of "news selected by robots." I can't depend on them to get it right. In fact, they're just as fallible as humans.

Radio was most effective in delivering earthquake news to Haiti, analysis finds

Along comes an analysis that reminds us that various forms of media have their own strengths and weaknesses. It's a story about the earthquake in Haiti. It concludes that radio -- really old media -- was the most import in getting the story out.

That's not shocking, if you think about it. Radio is free, can be independent of the need for electricity, and is immediate. All the other forms, especially the Internet, are deficient in at least one of those.

Maybe the Internet isn't really going to kill all forms of old media.

AOL move reminds us of need for journalism

The announcement by AOL that it is shifting more toward becoming a portal and streaming "content" provided by others actually makes a strong point for journalism education.

"Content" is written. And it's written by people. Journalism teaches students who to write and manage news, which is what "content" is all about. The techies are needed since someone has to set up and manage Internet sites. But the Internet is full of "content," and that needs writers. There's a bright future in journalism.

Survey shows Internet continues to gain among news consumers

I guess I have to admit that I have a fascination with numbers. I love being able to look at raw data in number form. And that led to a fascination with the newest Pew Research survey, which showed continuations of recent trends in media usage that has deep ramifications for society in general and the news business in particular.

For example, the Internet being cited by people as their main source of news is the only area to climb with 41% of respondents reporting this is where they get most of their national and international news. Television continues to lead with 66%, trailed by newspapers (31%) and radio (16%). Numbers are more than 100 since people could list two sources.

As you can see on the chart, "old media" is trending down and the Internet is trending up. These, especially when trends for young people are added in (Internet 65%, television 52, newspapers 21 and radio 15), cannot be ignored. Does it mean television, newspapers and radio are dead? Far from it. It does mean that "old media" must continue to rethink their roles, perhaps seeking strategies to change the trending dynamic as many already have. It's a continuing evolution of news.

If you're interested in news, please read the entire report summary.

Debunking myths about social media sites

New study backs up earlier study in debunking some myths about social media and young adults. In short, the report says, college students may keep tuned in to a social media site like Facebook, but they use search engines to research possible purchases, not a social site.

It makes all the money being thrown at social sites look like money thrown away

Survey results raise questions about online ads

Interesting story today on Internet advertising. I'm not an advertising expert, but this story raises a number of questions that I have to ask as a media observer.

Online Media Daily, quoting an online marketer's study, found that most Internet users are aware of advertising they assume is targeted at them -- but more than a third of those viewers dislike the ads with many concerned about privacy.

The study is filled with contradictory information like that, but it left me with a question for those who are advertising experts -- is it a good thing if people are aware of your advertising, but hate the ads? An anecdote: I complete online crossword puzzles most days and there is one particular advertiser whose popup ad is incredibly bothersome. I don't go to this large retailer even though I've enjoyed it in the past.

Ethnic media isn't keeping pace in influence

Ethnic media continue to grow in audience, but its influence isn't keeping pace, conference determines.

The numbers attract attention (57 million and growing, not counting Univision and the Black Entertainment Network power), but general audiences want to use ethnic media to sell products but don't listen to what's being said, said Félix Gutiérrez, a long-time student of ethnic media.

It's a shame since ethnic media is clearly fulfilling key roles in places like Milwaukee where it's the only media around (except for the Internet) that continues to grow. We really see that with Wisconsin's new governor effectively killing the only new industrial facility built in our central city.

AP suspends internship program

A report quotes the Associated Press' Media Relations Director Paul Colford as saying that AP is suspending its internship program for a year. Not only is this bad news for prospective journalists, but it's yet another dumb idea from an industry wallowing in dumb ideas, I think. Interns are the cheapest labor possible (as well as being some of the best), and keep supplying content when regular staffers are off. It shows once again that too many media companies don't really understand that content is what sells.

Freelancing, business style

Freelance business journalists make $25,000 to $30,000 a year, survey shows, but most of them wouldn't take their old jobs back if they could (40% were laid off).

The Society of American Business Editors and Writers conducted the survey, and plans to repeat it annually. It's yet another brick in the edifice that is the new journalism. I remember making more than $20,000 a year freelancing back in the '80s, and think it is a viable way to make a living. At least it's better than working for some of the media companies out there.