Some interesting quotes from a Rupert Murdoch lecture on the current media landscape on CNET.
He talks about “compacency and condescension” in newsrooms.
“The complacency stems from having enjoyed a monopoly–and now finding they have to compete for an audience they once took for granted. The condescension that many show their readers is an even bigger problem. It takes no special genius to point out that if you are contemptuous of your customers, you are going to have a hard time getting them to buy your product. Newspapers are no exception.” [Murdoch to media: You dug yourself a huge hole | Coop’s Corner – CNET News]
He talks about the changing balance of power in determining what is and what is not news. He cites the role of bloggers in the resignation of Dan Rather.
“Far from celebrating this citizen journalism, the establishment media reacted defensively. During an appearance on Fox News, a CBS executive attacked the bloggers in a statement that will go down in the annals of arrogance. ’60 Minutes,’ he said, was a professional organization with ‘multiple layers of checks and balances.’ By contrast, he dismissed the blogger as ‘a guy sitting in his living room in his pajamas writing.’ But eventually it was the guys sitting in their pajamas who forced Mr. Rather and his producer to resign. [Murdoch to media: You dug yourself a huge hole | Coop’s Corner – CNET News]
And he has some suggestions ….
Despite the blemishes, however, Murdoch said newspapers can still count on circulation gains “if papers provide readers with news they can trust.” He added they will also need to embrace technology advances like RSS feeds and targeted e-mails. The challenge, according to Murdoch, will be to “use a newspaper’s brand while allowing readers to personalize the news for themselves-and then deliver it in the ways that they want.” [Murdoch to media: You dug yourself a huge hole | Coop’s Corner – CNET News]
An exercise for the reader: compare and contrast with libraries.
