The Collapse of Big Media: Starting Over: It?s premature to write an obituary, but there?s no question that America?s news media?the newspapers, newsmagazines, and television networks that people once turned to for all their news?are experiencing what psychologists might call a major life passage. They?ve seen their audiences shrink, they?ve had to worry about vigorous new competitors, and they?ve suffered more than a few self-inflicted wounds?scandals of their own making. They know that more and more people have lost confidence in what they do. To many Americans, today?s newspaper is irrelevant, and network news is as compelling as whatever is being offered over on the Home Shopping Network. Maybe less. [...]
There are many explanations for why Americans have been turning away from their old news providers, including adjustments in how people now live and work (fewer have time to watch the evening news) and the lack of interest in news evident among younger generations whose tastes often carry them to MTV. But the media can also blame themselves for the change. [...]
Yet for the old media to become newly credible, to regain respect and audience, in a country more populous and less enamored of elites than it once was, and more red than blue, they?re going to have to dial down their imperial arrogance. They?re going to have to learn from the best of what the new media offer, and perhaps even recruit bloggers to help with news judgment and fact-checking. And they?re definitely going to have to look for news in places they formerly did not.
Occasionally you see evidence that an old media outlet is beginning to get it. Beginning, I say.
