Web Journalism - saila.com

Astoundingly cool idea. What about a "daily paper" like this?Wired News: Gizmo Puts Cards on the Table

Can you "work with online?" Time has come to converge.OJR article: Moving Online Into the Newsroom: "Annual performance reviews -- and raises -- are based partly on how well reporters work with online." OJR article: Moving Online Into the Newsroom: "And there's more reporting across platforms: The online staff writes stories for the print product, the newspaper's photographers often carry tape recorders into the field to grab audio for the Web site. Editors hope that cooperation will increase as more online staffers move into the paper's newsroom." That is why my students do some audio, video and photography for stories in our online publication, In the Loop--which will soon be ready for viewing.

Have you noted that Jack Fuller of the Chicago Tribune and other corporate media people have begun to talk about how it is time to charge for content? Below is a press release about the migration of the ink and paper U.S. News & World Report, complete with ads, to the Internet in a "print verbatim" version. While better than nothing, it still misses the essence of the media revolution that interactivity is bringing on. As the content online actually begins to be as complete as paper versions, and when it surpasses what is offered in print, this will certainly be the case. Here is one version of how this will work. US News and World Report is going online as "shovelware" with its format, ads, and content simply going digital. I think this will change as it is silly to believe that presenting onscreen information exactly as it looks on paper is really a step forward. The lack of interactivity and adaptation of content to the media is crude at best. What is happening here is that older folks with an almost insurmontable bias toward print cannot "SEE" or rather do not "use" the Internet. They are still "looking" at things. While looking at a magazine online fulfills reader expectations of what a magazine should look like, it will be cumbersome to navigate, and most will print it. If one has the money for a nice color printer, this is a very good solution. However, this is one of those McLuhan "rearview mirror" uses of technology. Eventually, the Internet version of the magazine will be something you "do" rather than "look at" and the need to present what works in print in an interactive media will pass. The first television programs were radio shows presented with a visual track. The first movies were books brought to the screen, and so it goes. I think there is money to be made with this methodology for a few years, but as the ink on paper biased boomers retire, the audience for publications like US News & World Report will want to "do" the content, or they will move to other content where the creators realize more of the potential of interactive media.

November 20, 2003 09:04 AM US Eastern Timezone U.S. News & World Report and Zinio Systems Partner to Create First Digital News Weekly BRISBANE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 20, 2003--U.S. News & World Report and Zinio Systems, Inc., worldwide leader in digital magazine production, distribution and circulation, today announced an agreement to digitally produce and deliver the leading news magazine globally. The partnership represents the 80th digital title available from Zinio and the first digital weekly news magazine. On newsstands Nov. 24, the Dec. 1 issue of U.S. News & World Report will be available and distributed digitally on Nov. 22 at 12 p.m. EST. Digital subscriptions and single copies of U.S. News & World Report will be available at www.zinio.com. "U.S. News & World Report provides in-depth news coverage rich in editorial content, graphics and photos to 11.7 million readers weekly. By creating a digital edition, U.S. News will leverage its valuable print assets in a way that allows readers to conveniently receive their magazine and interact with the content," said Mike Edelhart, president and chief executive officer of Zinio Systems, Inc. Zinio's digital edition of U.S. News & World Report offers readers a user-friendly electronic edition of the magazine, instantly delivered to the desktop before it hits newsstands. The electronic version of the magazine offers the ability to zoom, search, hyperlink, highlight and make electronic notations in the magazine. Digital issues may include rich media in both editorial and advertising, allowing full audio, video and animation capabilities in a compelling environment where readers already are engaged with the content. "U.S. News & World Report is pleased to offer the first-ever news weekly available in a digital format," said William Holiber, publisher of U.S. News & World Report. "By partnering with Zinio, we are able to take part in a new publishing model that includes Zinio's extensive marketing support and digital circulation services. With unique circulation opportunities, U.S. News' digital edition offers readers new ways of interacting with our content." Since March 2002, Zinio has delivered more than 10 million digital magazines from popular titles, such as Business Week, MotorTrend, PC Magazine and Technology Review to nearly one million customers in more than 200 countries. The addition of U.S. News & World Report brings Zinio's stable of magazines to 80 titles from 30 leading publishers. Major partners include IDG, McGraw-Hill, Primedia, Reed Business Information, Technology Review Inc., U.S. News, VNU and Ziff-Davis.

It might be that some of journalists' concerns about blogs and blogging arise out of fear of competition...good observations from Mark Glaser at OJR OJR article: Media Critics Rave (and Kvetch) About the Internet's Impact: "Weblogs not only give critics more to review, they also are a new form of competition: Thousands of opinionated observers spend their days examining and writing about every move made by newsmakers and the media that cover them."

Read these interviews. Here is a vision. Replace the "applauseometer" with an SMS link to television programming...and more on how digital is working to amplify the television programming in ways that new audiences demand. Club of Amsterdam - Shaping Your Future in the Knowledge Society

Poynter Online - E-Media Tidbits

Here is a report from the "BEEB" (BBC) about media diversity, media promise and the failure of the free market to meet the promise, and why a public sector/funded media outlet is event more important in the world of broadband and thousands of channels. MediaGuardian.co.uk | Broadcast | Purposes and principles in public broadcasting: "we face a genuine disappointment. The brilliance of the technology of the digital age is not matched by the content which it spreads. "

Its time to update your thinking on how to cover an election. Those bloggers are in the mainstream now. Create an interactive "candidate selector" for viewer/users, and more.Prepare Now for Better Online Election Coverage Here is the example of the candidate selector

How indy media cover a breaking news event, in this case a conference. Be the Media! at the National Conference on Media Reform in Madison

My reviews are not the only ones that are noting how interesting the "Tell us the Truth" tour is. Don't miss it. And don't forget to think about the message, that authentic voice is being restricted by the consolidation of media ownership. Poynter Online - Convergence Chaser

Here is a note about the Media Reform conference I attended over the weekend. The reporter got most of the details correct, but there is going to be more to this story. Chicago Tribune | Panels see FCC as lax The "Tell us the Truth" musical tour is going to use good music to make a fairly political point. You can check out Billy Bragg and Tom Morello, Nightwatchman, of Audioslave and the whole Tell us the Truth concert line up and schedule online. The important questions about why Media Reform is crucial to democracy (and I will tell you to jobs for students in the future, as consolidation results in fewer media jobs in all the media formats) are addressed at the Media Reform network site.

Here is how the current administration undercuts programs that work to make bridges between the USA and the world. Just as Voice of America (which is not without its critics) became a model for the world with 24 hour broadcasts, it is facing cost-cutting that will reduce its impact. Is the saving in dollars going to be worth the loss of voice across the globe? The Voice of America, Muffled (washingtonpost.com)In the new American Empire, I guess some policy wonks don't think talk is important. Just send guns....

Here are some of the facts of the Media Reform conference held in Madison Nov. 7-8, 2003. Chicago Tribune: Panels see FCC as lax

Online radio comes of age, I guess, as advertising pros decide to apply their skills from Clear Channel to online radio marketing. PR Newswire for Journalists :: Printable Version

Columbia Spectator Online - HarlemLive Puts Student Voices Online

This is timely and interesting especially because its Ramadan. 100 Questions and Answers About Arab Americans

What are Illinoisians worried about? It isn't Osama and terrorism. And the "economic upturn" hasn't gotten through to average folks in Illinois who still worry about taxes and health care...How worried are we? It's off the charts

Dean's use of Internet as a campaign tool is attracting interest, but pols are waiting to see if it translates into votes.Howard Dean%u2019s Internet Push: Where Will It Lead?