News (Blog Nine)

What's the news? Oh, right, there's an election. How did I know that? Well, other than the fact that one cannot literally escape it, I read it on my phone while catching up on some of my news. I frequent a site called Reddit, a user based site where one some of the boards (called subreddits), users submit their news stories. Reddit also holds the honor of breaking many news stories, or even using their power of people to solve difficult cases. This gets me to my main point. I do not believe that the internet and social media are going to kill news, but it is killing news as we know it. Over the next few years, news programs on TV will become old news, thrown away for online sites that have the exact same news, just readily available at a time that is convenient to the reader or viewer. The growth of such websites as Reddit give the online community the ability to see news right as it's happening, not waiting till 6:00 pm or God forbid waiting till the next day until the paper comes out.

Facebook is also a valuable news source. With one click, I can gage where people are, how they feel, and what's going on in the world. I don't even have to look out my window these days. Why? Because I get my weather updates from Facebook. At least, to start. This is because there are themes. I heard about the shootings in Colorado first on Facebook (even while I was on vacation in Florida), Sandy first made herself known on Facebook, and any Juniata happenings make themselves present directly on my news feed. I know news nearly the moment it happens, long before the news sources have caught on. Even news teams are now using Social media sources to get their news to cover. It's a crazy new world of news we live in, it's a million times faster, and it's only going to get faster. But does this accessibility diminish the news we receive? Absolutely.

When seeing something on Facebook about a death in the family, or a death of a friend, it just doesn't seem that monumental to me. But as soon as my parents tell me over the phone about someone I know's passing, it hits hard. This difference is the only downside to news being delivered online. It just doesn't hold the weight it does. But what can we do? Seeing something in text is just so much easier than making a phone call, right? Right. And it makes us more willing to receive said news, because one can re-read it and make it their own (somebody can take a piece of text any way they want). So yes, it is bad, but there's no changing that, it's just human nature!

The New Media (Blog #9)

The ways that people are sharing information and has always been evolving. Currently these methods are adapting to how the Internet, and how the Internet allows people to new information and discussions instantly. The Internet has become its own special brand of news that focuses on the individual. Most forms of news on the Internet (forums, blogs, Twitter/Facebook posts, ect) are for personal use.

The article New Media, Old Media shows the results of a study that compares the types of media that is covered in the traditional press and the Internet. One of the discoveries of the study was that bloggers tend to discuss “events that affect personal rights and cultural norms”, more often then other topics. In my personal experience I have noticed this as well, but I have also noticed that most blogs do not include that much variety about what is discussed whereas traditional media, I think, has a broader scope for news worthy events.

            In conclusion I think that although the article New Media, Old Media gives some interesting information about the current evolution of the media, I do not think that the traditional press will be replaced any time soon.

Will Traditional Media Become Less Relevant?

Jessi Haggerty-Denison

Will Traditional Media Become Less Relevant?

In the booming age of social media, there are so many ways that we can access news, both local and global news.  Anything going on in the world is literally at our finger tips since we can receive information with in seconds of an event through texting, pics and videos sent through phones.  This has certainly been proven this year, as many of the uprisings, such as in Egypt, were said to have started from a group of young people texting.  I believe that our traditional ways of receiving news is becoming less and less relevant.  Having to wait for the 10:00 news or the next day’s newspaper to arrive to find out what is going on seems almost antiquated.  Who wants to wait hours or even days to find out about what’s going on when everything you need to know is readily available, often times within seconds of an event?

I do believe the older generation still watches the evening news and looks forward to their morning paper to be read as they enjoy their cup of coffee.  I imagine the importance of this is more as a ritual than anything else.  The older generation also doesn’t use their phones, ipads and/or computers as much as the younger generation.  So to the older generation, which I’m referring to 60 or 70 years and older, I think traditional media is their main source.  But to rest of the population, traditional media takes a back seat and is quickly becoming less and less relevant. By looking at the article "Technology Still a Big Disconnect for Older Americans," discusses the amount of usage of how much older people used advance technology. For an example, 33% have internet access. Which is crazy to me because my generation started with the internet, I wouldn't know where I'd be without it.

Traditional media seems to still concern themselves with protocol and leaving the individual’s personal beliefs are out of the picture. As a news network or newspaper, the organization is concerned more with ratings than they are with news.  They want to appeal to the mass market so are forced to deliver the news as factual information leaving out their personal beliefs and opinions.  It can become quite bland in my opinion.  In the era of social media, people want to hear other’s opinions.  They expect it.  There’s a sense of freedom being able to completely express how you feel politically or about anything else with out having to constantly edit yourself for fear you’ll lose your job.  People also like reading the news from someone that shares the same beliefs and passions.  It provides fuel for them and it’s much more interesting when news can be delivered passionately with a person’s own emotions and beliefs being expressed than someone who is trying to maintain strict protocol.  And the great thing is that if you don’t like what they’re saying on a blog post for example, then there are plenty of other blogs you can find that will be saying what you do want to hear.

Bloggers can also reveal much more information than traditional media. News stations and newspapers have to be much more careful in checking their references and I imagine there is a lot of news they don’t report on because their sources may not be solid enough.  They are limited because people expect their news to be strictly factual and will legally hold them accountable.  Where as bloggers, in my opinion have free reign and the readers will often verify the sources themselves, knowing that the blogger’s news report goes along with what he/she believes and is passionate about and may be “slanted”.

I’m glad that traditional media is becoming less and less relevant.  I found watching the news and/or reading the newspaper to be boring.  It always left me with the question, “what aren’t they saying?” , because there seemed to be a lot unsaid.  I find reading about news and current events through the means of social media to be much more exciting and worthwhile.

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/the-best-life/2012/02/27/technology-still-a-big-disconnect-for-older-americans

Traditional Media (Blog 9)

I don't believe that traditional media will become less relevant even though there are a lot of people accessing information from social media sites. I don't believe that the social media sites have the power to erase traditional media sites simply because anybody can make a page on facebook and name it "Democratic Party" or "Republican Party" etc. and add their own information and opinions without some people knowing any better. It is true that some traditional media sites are biased in terms of politics and other matters in our country and around the world, but at least there are other sites with sensible staff that will provide a "less biased" alternative. As far as other major news stories there is no way that social media will be able to diminish that simply because even though the internet is one of the fastest ways of obtaining information, almost always the news reporters are the first to hear about it.

Traditional Media (Blog #9)

Last week we had the chance to discuss politics in social media networks.  Do I think they should be allowed to continue with politics on these sites?  In my own personal opinion, the politics option should be expressed by anyone.  Another way could be creating a new site only for politic talk.

According to the article given, social media cites shared many similarities.  Politics is a major topic on social media sites.  Every so many years, when the presidential election arises, people begin to talk.  It is such a hot topic, because it only comes around ever so many years.  Once the election is over, the politics discussion does not stop there.  If the president does something wrong, basically all hell breaks loose on a social media site.  People begin to freak out and criticize the president.  So really, politics never dies on a social media site.

The article discusses old media vs new media.  The media today has such an advantage over the old stuff.  The way technology is changing, makes it easier for people to find out the news.  With the information at our fingertips, new media is extremely vital over the old stuff.  Just like the video below... lets compare newspapers vs computer and the internet.  Newspapers share certain stories and are limited to so many stories.  The computer has endless possibilities and thousands of stories.  That is the perfect example of old media vs new.

Between January 19, 2009 and January 15, 2010, 17% of all blogs consisted of talking about politics and the government.  Within the 17%, it mostly talked about the president.  Bloggers like to talk about what is new and excited.  Politics is always a hot topic to talk about.

I think traditional media will become less relevant to use in the near future.  Because of the way technology is, newspapers and other forms of information may become obsolete.  I am excited as to what the future holds, but at the same time am concerned as to how everyone will react to the changes.

http://www.journalism.org/analysis_report/blogosphere

Youtube. Old vs New. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRlKol4Usxw

Newspaper? Over it. (Blog #9)

I'll be honest.  The only time I ever read the newspaper is to catch up on Dear Abby.  I find that newspapers are mainly there for arts and crafts projects.

My mother used to get the Washington Post every Sunday.  It was a tradition for my dad to take me to the shop after church to pick it up while I got to look at the comics and choose a piece of bubblegum.  I loved going, but after a while, my mom didn't want the newspaper anymore.  She didn't need it, and didn't want to waste our money.

Newspapers seem like such a thing of the past now. I know families who get the newspaper every morning in the mail but pick it apart for the comics and the sports and leave the rest. I often find myself thinking "Well, then, what's the point? If you're not even going to read it?"

This video article from the BBC shows the result of having 3 16 year old students read the newspaper everyday.  Needless to say, they weren't impressed: http://www.bbc.co.uk/switch/videos/9dfa600.shtml

The newspaper has become...old news.  It's become a waste of money and a waste of paper. I think this is one of the few times where I am absolutely 100% glad that the internet houses the universe.

Although, I do wish I had more newspaper around the house for my arts and crafts.  I can get pretty messy.


"Do You Read the Papers?" BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/switch/videos/9dfa600.shtml>.

Newspapers and the Future Post 9

  With the advent of computer technology and the widespread use of the internet, the way we as humans carry out certain tasks has forever changed. Mainly, the ways we have changed is in how we obtain information. Instead of going out to the library for research or to pick up the paper, we can simply log onto the computer and browse out favorite news site for free. This is a problem for news companies originally in print; With so many more people just going to online news sources, they are losing business in their printed newspapers.* It is harder to make money online, as the only real way while providing free content are advertisements. This being said, I do not think that traditional media will become less relevant of a source in the near future. Instead of becoming less relevant, I think that print editions will become scarce, and eventually disappear altogether.

   This phasing out of print editions can already be seen in multiple places. The Encyclopedia Britannica, a revered encyclopedia for over two hundred years, released its last printed thirty two volume book this year.** Over ten metropolitan daily newspapers have ceased to print since 2007 alone; its obvious that traditional newspapers will be faded out, smaller ones will go first, and eventually there will be one or two big ones left covering national or world news.

   The reason why printed papers are folding (hah) is because of the ease of access to online news sites. There are many to choose from out there, and they are all accessible from anywhere in the world. That being said, for printed editions to continue to exist, they will need to refine what they write. This means becoming actually more relevant, being a good source for anyone looking to read the news. This would only prolong the inevitable, though, as online companies would follow suit and inprove on their reporting as well. In the long- run, most if not all printed news sources will be phased out, but the printed sources will not be any less relevant to the normal person.

*Marunde, Chuck. "Print Newspapers Losing Readers to the Internet." Weblog post. Sequim Real Estate in Sequim, Washingto. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2012. <http://www.sequim-real-estate-blog.com/internet-and-real-estate/print-newspapers-losing-paper-to-the-internet/>.

**ROUSSEAU, CARYN. "Last Paper Copy for Encyclopaedia Britannica." CapeCodOnline.com. Associated Press, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120314/NEWS11/120319901>.

***"Newspaper Death Watch." Newspaper Death Watch. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://newspaperdeathwatch.com/>.

The World Continues to Evolve Blog 9

I do believe that traditional media will become less relevant. I think it is slowly becoming less and less relevant. It is easier to find out what is going on in the world using the internet or a phone. The traditional way of doing things just is not as popular. Yes, people get the same information from newspaper as they get from computers; but a newspaper can be a hassle at times. People have to make extra stops to go to a store to buy a newspaper. Once they have purchased it they have something else that they have to carry around. A person can just carry their cell phone around and search the internet for whatever they want to know. The inconvenience of newspaper is one of the biggest reasons I think they could go out of business. I also believe newspaper would lose relevance someday because they world keeps evolving and all that some generations will know are technology, computers, and cell phones. The older people in the world are the ones that are keeping traditional media alive. Producers of media have to try to connect with all people and traditional media is the way they connect with older people. Everything is about making money and all groups of people need to be reached so money is made.  As the younger generations age traditional media will decrease. Like with everything that was thought to be traditional at one point things die out. There will always be people that support the traditional ways of doing things but majority rules and people forget about things. Like the way people communicate and do things now will die out because something new will come along. There is always something new because the world is constantly changing.

Newspapers vs Facebook. (Blog #9)

Newspapers have been around since the 1680's. They use to be the only way of getting information. At first they would be a couple weeks old, but then they became fast and more reliable. But now with the technology moving at a rapid speed, newspapers are being left in the dust. Or, are they? Many people in the worlds population still read the newspaper. It's mostly the older generation that still use newspapers today and even some professors in Universities and Colleges.
This goes back to a pervious blog about the older generation and using the internet. About 4 in 10 people who are 65 and older, use the internet.*** That means that the other 60% must get their information from traditional ways such as the newspaper. The newspaper is a way for the small percentage of the population to receive recent events in the world.
For a class research paper I had to find Newspaper articles to quote for the paper. I later found out that many professors ask for newspaper articles to prove a point in papers. Even though there has been less newspaper involvement in today's society I don't think that traditional forms of news will disappear completely.    
It seems however, that certain information is not put into newspapers not only because certain newspaper companies don't want to either get into a situation over something or it's a topic the paper doesn't support. In the research article we had to read, I saw that topics such as Celebrities, gay issues, Politics, and foreign events are talked about more on the internet than in the newspapers. It also doesn't help that, especially for politics, the internet is used to see a variety of views not just a signal view or opinion, like newspapers sometimes do. You use to hear most things, if not all things, through the newspaper but with the internet, the newspaper has the choice of not showing certain issues and events.

All in all, the internet has completely stopped the importance or existence of newspaper but simply changed the way people view the news and society itself.










***"Technology Still a Big Disconnect for Older Americans - The Best Life (usnews.com)." Business News and Financial News - US News Business. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2012. <http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/the-best-life/2012/02/27/technology-still-a-big-disconnect-for-older-americans>.

The New York Times vs. Tumblr (Blog Post #9)

The New York Times used to be available at Juniata and I thought that was really cool to offer the paper for free to students at campus. Professors in classes would mention reading the Times as a way to getting informed and I would pick the paper every so often so I could see what was happening in the world. My Intro to American Government class required me to read the New York Times so I saw the benefit of having a nationally recognized newspaper on our campus.

When I got the e-mail that Juniata would no longer be receiving the newspaper because of funding purpose, I was sort of upset by this information. Not only would students be able to get news in the world, The New York Times is charging for people to view their articles. The increased costs of publishing and the lack of readership could be leading to this push. As more people start to get their news stories from alternative sources such as blogs and social media networking sites, traditional news sources have to find creative ways for their audience to stay interested.

In my last blog post, I mention how relying too heavily on social media is wrong. The fact remains is that going to primary sources such as the newspaper, television news, or radio news would be more accurate because they are going to be edited, edited, and edited again. Most of the articles have been researched and interviews have been conducted. The purpose of news is to remain objective as much as possible.

Some of the blogs have backed up there points with relevant outside sources to help. However, most of the blogs are highly opinionated with bloggers inputting their personal biases to make their point.  In social media and blogs, you are not getting a well-rounded discussion. Even though people are looking for different subjects that contrast from what is being printed, you will receive accurate and better information in newspapers than blogs and social media.

Newspapers are battling to keep people reading their newspapers as digital formatting comes into play. An article in the Wall Street Journal discusses how newspaper circulation is decreasing and is slowly going digital.

“During the latest period, digital editions accounted for 15.3% of overall U.S. circulation, up from 9.8% in the year-earlier period. USA Today kept its No. 2 spot with 1.7 million readers, though that represented a decline of 3.9% from a year earlier. The New York Times retained the No. 3 rank at 1.6 million weekday readers, an improvement of 40%, and continued to have the highest Sunday circulation, at 2.1 million, up 28%. The Times' circulation increases reflect the publication adding paid digital subscriptions,” ( Wall Street Journal).

I feel that digital formatting is good for newspapers to keep in business but for many people no one would want to pay money to read news when they can go to free mediums. I agree that it would be fine for newspapers to not charge for online viewing. I do still believe that I would rather have to pay to get quality news than look at blogs. I prefer to have my information provided accurately and fairly. I could never see YouTube replacing the six o’clock news. I think that traditional media will have to find ways to target people in creative ways while still trying to remain in their format of news. I understand the convenience of having blogs where you can find a funny yet informative spin on the topic. I wish that we could try to remain a balance with how people get their news. For now, I will stick with trying to get most of my information from news that I can trust.

Works Citied:

Stynes, Tess. “U.S. Newspaper Circulation Slips Further.” Wall Street Journal. Date Pub. 30 Oct 2012. Date Acc. 04 Nov 2012. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203335504578088643882363414.html