Saturday, September 10, 2005

Is the newspaper dead?

This was one of the provocative questions posted by Jay Rosen's site. Given how fast info is transmitted via the internet...especially through blogs...this doesn't seem to be such a ridiculous question. Right now we basically count on the newspaper to organize and digest the day's information and deliver it to us in a "here's what important" format. However, with the news cycle now happening so rapidly...in a matter of minutes or hours...the newspaper is already several cycles behind before it hits our doorsteps. Perhaps it just a matter of time before widespread computer access -- like having a computer always on in the kitchen -- makes on-line sources our primary newspaper. When really big stuff is unfolding, like 9/11 or Katrina, I look to on-line sources, as well as CNN, for continuous updates. By the time the newspaper arrives, its info is really old news.

2 comments:

Mendonsa said...
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Anonymous said...

Yeah, but CNN and the internet are filled with wild rumors in times of crisis. By the time the newspaper comes out, you have a more sober and thoughtful presentation of the news.