Response Post – Reinvent to Survive

1. How does interactive media affect traditional journalism?

I think that iMedia is taking over traditional journalism because it has so many positives. It is cheaper to create and cheaper to use. It is faster to find and use. It’s more portable in the sense that it can be pulled up from any computer without having to carry it with you ( as you would a newspaper). And lastly, it is more fun usually and it gives the user more options.

2. Will traditional media still survive in the next ten years? If everything is being replaced digitally, how long will it take for them to become completely obsolete?

I don’t think traditional media will survive the next ten years. Maybe the next five because we still have several hold outs. But I believe that as iMedia becomes more frequent the hardcopy newspaper will disappear. Mainly, the only people who are still subscribing and reading the hardcopy newspaper are the older generation who will soon pass on and the younger generation that is left behind will be far more educated in and involved with interactive news and media in general.

3. How can journalists who make a living from traditional newspapers and such continue to exist and thrive when readers can find the same information in other locations for free?

I think that in order for journalists to survive off of their writing salary they will eventually have to convert to iMedia writers. And not only will they have to know how to write but I believe they will need to learn technology, even if just at the basic level. They will probably need to know some HTML and CSS coding. They may even need to learn some basic flash elements to make their writing more exciting and interactive. In all, journalists are going to have to reinvent themselves in order to thrive.