Jeff Mignon at Mediacafe has identified the qualities he'd seek in starting a newspaper today.
For one, it wouldn't be in print, which makes the paper part of the word newspaper a little misplaced. Nevertheless. . .
He wants a searchable product with an array of sources. No issues there.
He wants the technical ability to comment on content as he sees fit. No issues there, either.
He wants the content filtered by journalists, by experts, by people with the same interests as him, and by friends. I have an obvious issue with that, and I wonder if he's really saying what he thinks. The dead-obvious point: People are prodded to think far more when presented with ideas outside their comfort zones. One of media's beauties is the element of surprise. Like-minded and friends aren't as likely to take you there, and by not having a randomness to the filters, you're in danger of creating the feedback loop to serve up only what you've enjoyed --- not what you would enjoy.
