Can't We All Just Get Along?

As I continue reading the James Glenn Stovall’s book Web Journalism I can’t help but address the idea of the internet taking away from the popularity of print or televised journalism. In a later chapter of the book he again addresses the issue of the internet replacing all other forms of news media. He titles the section THE DEATH OF ALL MEDIA.

But I have decided that in this world where news is constantly changing, there can be a place for every medium. It seems as though each medium of news distribution can fit into a person’s daily life. There does not seem to be the need to choose. In fact they all seem to complement each other.

The most interesting way to look at this fact is to take a hypothetical walk through of an average American’s day. Through this it is easy to see how important each news medium, whether it is television, print, or internet, is to a person. Let’s face it Americans are the type of people who want what they want when they want it. And each different outlet of news finds a unique way to offer it to them.

Let’s say this hypothetical individual wakes up one fine weekday morning and is getting ready for work. They are more likely than not going to turn their television to the local news channel and listen. Through this they will be able to be updated on the current weather and traffic conditions. This will allow them to dress appropriately and also find out the best route to work that morning. It would be pointless to get this information from a news paper because it most likely will not be as up-to-date as the television. They can also turn to the internet for this information, but it the television offers more convenience, because they can be getting dressed or eating breakfast while listening. Not only are we demanding and impatient, but we are also very big into multi-tasking.

Once this individual is ready to leave the house they might grab the morning paper, which they can read on the bus or train on their way into work. (Some people might drive, but for arguments sake let’s make this person take public transportation.) The paper will offer the commuter a chance to read a more in-depth account of the daily news they might have caught a few seconds of in the background while getting dressed. They are also given the chance to read comics, movie reviews, and check their lottery numbers.

Once this person gets to work they might be prompted to log on to their favorite news website and see if there were any changes in the top stories they read on the way to work. (It sounds crazy but I did it every morning this summer. I was finished my paper and off the train by 8:45am and reading USA Today’s website but 9:15.)

See how easy it is for each news medium to have equal opportunity in an individual’s life. So I do not think we should be calling a time of death on newspapers and news programs just yet.