Speaking to the dinosaurs

Steve Outing has written a wonderfully clear and comprehensive explanation of why citizen journalism is "where journalism is heading." Even better, he's published it on Editor & Publisher's website, the venue where it's most likely to be seen by editors in the MSM (I only wish it was being included in the print edition.)

Unfortunately, his desire for MSM to "Go fast (this time)" is unlikely to be heeded by 80% of his audience. The mainstream media is simply too entrenched to see beyond their established customs and norms. I've seen this too often in newsrooms, corporations, and academic settings. If you need proof, look at the RIAA and MPAA's approach to 'piracy.' While some media organizations will adapt, many will go the way of the dinosaur. Luckily, that doesn't mean anything for the future of journalism except that the next generation of news leaders will have different names than the ones we've known for the past 50 years.