It took two parts, the second of them weighing in at about 5,600 words, but the verdict from Michael Massing in the New York Review of Books is in: The Internet is good for journalism.
Massing explores the "new horizon" for news in the context of the challenged newspaper, television outlet and radio station, and he concludes that the new media offer opportunities. The demand is there, even though there is no climate to build a U.S. equivalent of the BBC --- his role model for non-profit excellence.
"What we do have, though, is a tremendous increase in enthusiasm and initiative that, in the age of the Internet, counts for more than transmitters and printing presses. The retreat of the giant corporations and conglomerates is creating the opportunity for fresh structures to emerge. It remains to be seen whether foundations, wealthy donors, and news consumers will step forward to support them."
Massing explores the "new horizon" for news in the context of the challenged newspaper, television outlet and radio station, and he concludes that the new media offer opportunities. The demand is there, even though there is no climate to build a U.S. equivalent of the BBC --- his role model for non-profit excellence.
"What we do have, though, is a tremendous increase in enthusiasm and initiative that, in the age of the Internet, counts for more than transmitters and printing presses. The retreat of the giant corporations and conglomerates is creating the opportunity for fresh structures to emerge. It remains to be seen whether foundations, wealthy donors, and news consumers will step forward to support them."
