School of Journalism Director Geneva Overholser (pictured) said during a July 21 Hammer Museum forum there may be fewer newspapers in the future, but they will continue to play an important role in informing citizens. Video of the forum will be posted soon.
Overholser and Firedoglake.com founder Jane Hamsher were the featured speakers at Stop the Presses: What is the Future of Newspapers?, which was moderated by radio host Ian Masters and explored what will happen to traditional media as advertising evolves and demands for instant coverage continue to increase.
"We can sit around and deplore what seems to be happening, or think about how to bring high-quality journalism in places where people are," Overholser said. "We have to figure out the important ways to continue to provide a flow of high-quality information."
Masters asked Overholser if she sees a hybrid between print and online journalism taking place.
"I hope so," she said. "I believe that what we are seeing is an environment in which being collaborative really pays. My dream is in a given city a newspaper editor — instead of cutting indiscriminately — will look at what need is not being met that can only be met by paying its journalists."
She said some of the work could be done by others in the community, citing as examples a music or dance blog or high-school sports statistics submitted by citizens.
"A blogger or anyone sitting at a computer can gather important information online," she said, referring to sifting through material posted online that is public record. "But not get access to documents that politicians don’t want to show."
She said newspapers must be thoughtful about separating tradition from principle, and they must be creative in trying new business models.
"I used to be an opponent of front-page ads," she said. "Now I say bring them on if we can pay for the newspaper, as long as they’re not deceitful. Transparency is going to be one of the biggest touch points."
Overholser said that public funding can play a role in helping to fund journalism, citing the support model for the BBC.
"It really does lift all boats. We’re a long way from that here, but it’s high time we talk about it and face the truth that the government can play a role."
She said there are lots of reasons to think newspapers won't survive, but just as many to think they will flourish.
"Many newspapers are adapting and trying important ways of doing journalism and bringing in money," she said. "I do believe newspapers will continue to be a part of this new information role. There will be fewer, but they will continue to play an important role in informing citizens."
More on Overholser
Stop the Presses: What is the Future of Newspapers?
