thoughts on the economy of journalism

News organizations are struggling with an economic model. The Pew Research 2010 State of the News Media is out and, while I’m not through it yet, some thoughts come to mind.

People are no longer paying for content; but perhaps they will pay for a filter for verification, veracity, authenticity, and authority. The subscriber question is: Who is watching what I want to know about and how much am I willing to path them to filter it?

Could snopes.com be a model?

Hyper-connected Hermits

Sounds like the name for a blog if I've ever heard one. I suppose turning 50 in the digital age isn't such big deal, but it does give one a certain introspective perspective. As I prepare for upcoming conferences and classes I'm teaching on New/Social media, I came across this article in the March/April edition of AARP Magazine. For those under 50 you can read it here.

I speak and study about "digital natives" and "digital immigrants" and feel much like a "digital undocumented worker." I remember when "social networking" meant a visit to the bar down the street and a couple of adult beverages. I am acutely aware of changes that have taken place in the way we converse. Technology has opened up many powerful avenues for conversation we cannot ignore; but we should take the time to remember our "humanness," and find places to meet people, sit, and talk to keep from becoming what David Dudley describes as "a nation of hyperconnected hermits, thumbs furiously working our BlackBerrys, each of us a master of an ever-smaller personal universe." Quite a fitting description from what I observe.

Just thinking.

Leaks from within the government to reporters and other outside sources are nothing new. In this new global information environment, however, and the proliferation of computer technology, imaging, and distribution it really points out how much more important it is to have well established channels of communication processes and procedures for the release of information. The ability to electronically forge documents like these are now available to anyone so the channel is the determining factor concerning authenticity. But hasn't it always come down to the "trusted channel?"

I'm just thinkin' ...

More on Strategic Communication and New Media

This is from a TTI for a class I'm to conduct.
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The growth of social networking sites in the past few years has created both challenges and opportunities for the military. To the positive, these sites provide a unique venue to target those in the primary recruiting age (18-24). On the negative side, the growth of social networks on the Internet has provided a haven to radical Islamic elements and also provided them a venue to recruit members. Likewise, the growth of blogs, text messaging and other aspects of telecommunications comprise the every day lives of our young servicemembers. As communication advisors, we need to be cognizant and savvy communicators in this world. Today, we are going to spend some time discussing the positive aspects of social networking sites and other telecommunications trends and look at ways you as PAOs can use these tools to communicate more directly to young servicemembers and your target audience.
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One strategic point; this is about more than recruiting. This is a strategic field in the battle of ideas. If our ideas are not in this battlespace we cede the area to the enemy. This includes not just recruiting, but all logistical support. All support stems from political will and if we do not provide a counter to the images and messages communicated here, we open a path to our flank which protects our supply lines.