Gillmor Gang: Memeorandum and the future of media

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Journos

There appears to be a lack of understanding about how mainstream news journos work here - permeating this discussion. The NYT - along with most mainstream real-news outlets has high overhrads because they do not, just, use journalists full time. They also pay to keep their network running. This includes paying for the odd lunch with a contact, or 'Stringer'. Most news organizations get most news not by looking into things - but by encouraging others to report to them, rewording press releases, and making it up (yes, really).

I have to agree with Steve - this mean that sites like Memeorandum are disruptive to mainstream news outlets like the New York Times. What is happening is that the network contacts, and press releases, are moving online. Aggregators have the role of filtering and forwarding - but have no time to editorialize and create, if they did, it would be obvious... Therefore, the Sony rootkit story gets traction and the mainstream outlets have to follow - or look stupid. The tail is already wagging the dog. That said, is the NYT really worried by this angle? They are worried by people leaving the paper and moving online because that's a change in the paterrn of consumption - they are losing attention and not managing gestures properly. But, do they worry about underlying cost structures that they can benefit from... ?

Citizen Journos certainly have passion - but they lack the professionals' cool-headed approach and one sometimes has to read a story from three angles before one gets to a balanced gist. There is a weakness in the online media model that sites like Memeorandum partly fill. My hope is that people will get used to this model - but our time, our attention and gesture energy, are in ever shorter supply. We cannot be complacent about this in the current censor-crazed environment.

I'm with Steve: Said mainstream media can co-opt the blogosphere to compete. In addition, that means they can impose some Old World mores of media onto online instances of Old Media and, though it can sometimes be a stretch I grant you, beyond their own instance of online media.

Yes, journos who love to write - and want to put food on the table - put everyone else at a disadvantage.

Unfortunately I cannot hear the podcast today - sound problem. But will tune in to hear about scoops of perception and blogosphere velocity ASAP. I think I can guess what's going on, but I bet I'll still want to hear more about it afterwards too!

Not sure about Steve's third rails. My only suggestion at this stage is that third rails are an old model for electrifying rail tracks. Are Sun (example of a public company) and the Analysts the two unpowered rails while Journos are the third, powered, rail that will move the train (aka the economy) forward? Seems a bit far fetched, but it might be right.

Posted by: Stephen Wheeler   Posted on: 02/06/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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