Newspapers of the Future

By Russell Hickey

It was surprising -- if not uplifting -- to see the news that an Associated Press survey of newspaper editors in Europe revealed an optimistic view of the future of newspapers.  Some in the U.S., such as San Francisco Chronicle columnist David Lazarus, view the Internet a threat to the future viability of newspapers.  In contrast, the AP survey found a view that the Internet was more an opportunity than a threat.

There is another split of opinion, however, that may have as much impact on the future of newspapers as any.  In one camp are those who believe the Internet should be used as the publication tool for longer, in-depth, investigative journalism.  In the other camp are those who believe the Internet should be reserved for current, breaking news -- leaving the print publications as the home of investigative reporting.

The latter opinion would be more in line with a recent recommendation by Mitchell Stephens, a professor of journalism at New York University.  In short, Stephens argued that newspapers content needs to be more opinion and analysis driven to compensate for the fact that the printing and delivery process necessarily makes the content "old news" by Internet standards.

No matter which route the industry takes, it ought to remember this axiom:  You get what you pay for.  A recent study by the University of Missouri-Columbia concluded that investing in the newsroom could result in better profit margins.  The reason?  Poor news quality chases off your consumers.

Russell Hickey is a Claims Counsel at Media/Professional Insurance in Kansas City.