When new technologies arrive, old systems are disrupted. The digital revolution has had a profound effect on the American media landscape to the extent that we now have what are called “news deserts.” The decline of news organizations means there are far fewer professional reporters and photographers, and the lack of independent journalism seems to create predicable results.
New technologies have dried up old revenue streams. Classified ads that once made up a third of a publications income are now available for free (Craiglist, Facebook market, etc). Display advertising (also formerly one third of income) is focused on customers already searching on Google or specifically targeted through Facebook. And subscription revenue (the final third of income) has fallen off since it’s so easy to get news for free.
So what’s a community news organization to do?
In the first place, let’s consider new sources of revenue that would not be in direct conflict with the public service mission of journalism. So: Asking for handouts from government won’t work. Nor will shaking down misdemeanor criminals through a mugshot publishing scam attached to expensive reputation cleanup (which is illegal in some states).
In the second place, this new revenue ought to be something that complements journalism and improves the public sphere. What could journalists do that would help their community, increase the quality of public dialogue, and serve the media needs of individuals and groups? How could journalists serve a larger mission?
And as one final criteria, we ought to think about how journalists might extend the appreciation for public dialogue throughout the communities they serve? How can they come out of the cloister and help people more directly? It may be that the old for-profit model is antiquated and that more inclusive models could better advance public interests.
Imagine a new kind of local/ regional media service, perhaps a non-profit organization, or a “benefit” corporation, or a media cooperative. Imagine the projects it could take on:
- Video production and live-streaming of meetings, school events, sports and other community needs …
- For instance, using a Tricaster Mini or Livestream HD 51 or low-cost Mevo camera for switching / live-streaming
- Open Broadcasting Software
- Use of a variety of channels such as YouTube, Twitch.tv, Instagram and Facebook.
- Podcasting is another community need. Imagine weekly half hour podcasts with community leaders.
- Business needs time lapse, web services, and online marketing, and community building through media.
- Wedding planners need drone video and steaming
- Lots of people need video and photographic equipment rentals for weekend specials or family event specials
- Lots of people need VHS and digital tape to digital transfer, for family heritage videos
- Photocopying / scanning operations for printing, document handling and family album reproductions and heritage scrapbooking could be popular as well
- Thermal imaging equipment for home and business energy audits;
Additional low-cost services that could be delivered by trained volunteers include:
- Elderly podcasting support for free audio books, in connection with library and with Librivox.org; This is especially important public service outreach for nursing homes and vision impaired.
- Teen’s educational animation software & studio space (eg Dragonframe or other animation application);
- Time-lapse photography, ground penetrating radar, drone video, and other advanced digital imaging services.
- Computer video editing rentals, for the shop, with training, or for experienced users, to take home.
- Teen video gaming contests and parental training for video game participation;
- Small business marketing and web design consulting and support that empowers the small business owner;
- Individual, family and community: Book publishing assistance and local market pooling for low-cost online books and books-on-demand.
- Assistance with community blogging for additional information outreach from religious, agricultural, small business development and other local civic improvement groups
From this angle, I would argue that the field is open and there is a lot of opportunity. There are a number of organizations that have taken this approach, and probably the most innovative and interesting is Taz.de. But the Associated Press itself is a co-op, and there’s nothing to say that for-profit business models are going to work better in an era without the prospect of any profit at all.
From an educator’s standpoint, we need to shift focus so that journalism graduates can bring technical and business skills out into the community when they graduate. This web site, and the COMS 226 class it serves, is exploring that prospect.
Thank you.
— Bill Kovarik, PhD
