My question now: Is it time for the press to swallow its pride and engage in some serious public relations work to improve its image?
A few things to ponder in that regard: Is it too late for the press to recover from the damage of the last 20 years? Is there even a problem with the press as it stands? What is the future of the press in the U.S.?
4 comments:
Jefferson talked about the choice of Government without newspapers or newspapers without Government. That he would choose the later. The problem starts when newspapers push an agenda and broadcast from the whitehouse. Offering no investigative journalism, just fluff and praise. As long as journalists push an agenda, rather than follow a story. Journalism will decay.
There is no public relations needed success will come if there is a good product. Journalism is changing, we do not need to buy a paper for stocks, sports, or classifieds the internet is faster and better. We need the newspaper to investigate stories, hold politicians and businesses accountable and report the facts. Journalists have not been interested in facts lately, and is suffering for it.
Very good points. Newspapers - and the role they once played in a thriving democracy - are well documented over our history. French writer deTocqueville also wrote highly of the U.S. press being the piece that separated our democracy from all others.
However, things have changed greatly. Not only in newspapers, but also in the way our government operates and the way we live our lives. All have had their struggles.
I believe there are more changes coming for newspapers or they will continue on their downward trend. One idea: Some day newspapers move toward a model similar to NPR. What do you think?
I think what newspapers are going through now, is in some respects similar to what radio went through after TV became popular. We used to turn to the radio for drama, comedy, news, sports, music... now all that's left is pretty much sports, music, and the advent of talk.
If newspapers wind up retaining news, I don't know.
The thing is, newspapers are still an attractive, portable medium. As a medium, its useful. The design and the content? Apparently, not so much. (Design. Ugh. Look at papers from 10 years ago to today. Not much has changed.)
Newspapers needed some good PR years ago. They could certainly start now, but, my question is not "what good will it do," but, "WHAT are they trying to save?" I'm not sure what the newspaper will wind up carrying in 15 years. I'm not sure anyone really does. That's a large piece of the puzzle. In the new era, how can you promote a holdover from the old era and make it seem relevant? Without a clear purpose statement and reliable market data, its tough to do.
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