One of the speakers at this year's Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers Association (PANPA) on the Gold Coast said something that rang true for me. Words to the effect that "newsrooms are the most resistant to change." Can't remember who that was, but he's right. When you're dealing with the demands of getting a book out the door each day, I can personally understand why the thought of adding online to your basket of worries is not greeted with joy.
That said, one of the things I took away from the collection of well above-average presentations at PANPA was a sense that the newspaper industry understands full well the scale of change required to act in their best interest, and that of the traditional "audience", as "new" media quickly becomes the "normal" media we all use on a daily basis.
Cameron Reilly has done part of my reporting job for me with this post. He even recorded a video podcast with yours truly and Hugh Martin. Man, I agree with Hugh's sentiments. Cam, *lift* the camera up next time to look after our egos! : )
Finally, here's my pic of the better quotes from Monday's proceedings. Enjoy.
Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer
“I have quite an elaborate view of the media. At least you are mixing with someone who is held in as low a regard as you.”
Gold Coast Publications editor in chief Bob Gordon
“The only people writing letters to the editor are people over 50 with long socks.”
PANPA President Robert Whitehead
“We no longer fear change, we no longer fear the future, we no longer question our role.”
“We are one of the few media anywhere where the readers actually look forward to the advertising we carry.”
ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel
“We must make sure the existing players will not be allowed to use their power to close down new forms of competition.”
Fairfax CEO David Kirk
“Media is always evolving, changing, and the audience is always fragmenting. That has always been the case but it’s fair to say it’s accelerating.”
Media analyst Jim Chisholm
“None of you would pay to watch content on your TV.”
Rebecca Huntley, author, writer & social researcher, on why “Generation Y” is different.
“Mobile phones are a reflection of who you are and an extension of your personality.”
“I actually think technology has changed this generation’s approach to time and space.”
Mark Jones, IT Editor, The Australian Financial Review (yes, I’m actually quoting myself before C. Reilly is true to his word and steals this quote for himself… heh. ; )
“What we’re seeing now is the rise of conversation journalism.”
So, what will the journalist of the future need outside of an ability to write?
What will they look like- how will they be armed?
I'm really curious, and should get off my fat arse and blog what I think. I kind of did here (about my area of interest- bike mags):
http://thomasr.org/blog/2006/04/rupert-murdoch-shows-me-way-forward.html
Posted by: Thomas Reynolds | Thursday, August 31, 2006 at 11:31 PM
Mark I think you hit the nail on the head with your comments towards the end of that video - It's a shame Cam decided to end it there!
Manual Trackback!
http://www.touchstonelive.com/blog/2006/09/video-podcast-conversation-from-old.html
Posted by: Chris Saad | Friday, September 01, 2006 at 04:12 PM
Thanks Chris - Cameron has a bit of a thing about the "watercooler" meme, which I understand, but that wasn't my point.
Posted by: Mark Jones | Sunday, September 03, 2006 at 12:10 PM