10 Reasons

For all the naysayers, here are 10 convincing arguments that journalism will flourish despite online and all of its glory and its bloggers.


**I dedicate this post to Autumn ;-)**

Largest publisher of tech news moves online

While our online journalism class still meets in person, the biggest publisher of technology newspapers and magazines is moving online. We should get with the times.

But seriously, I thought it was interesting that the New York Times reported May 5 that the publisher International Data Group is reaping large profits off a Web-only magazine.

When I.D.G. ended the money-losing print edition of InfoWorld magazine in April 2007, it made serious changes to succeed in the online market. Shorter articles, blogs by freelance writers and multimedia presentations are all key, says the Times. The magazine also does advocacy -- check out the right side of the InfoWorld Web site for the petition for Microsoft to keep selling Windows XP.

The founder and chairman of I.D.G. claims there is "a better life after print." It's hard to argue with the numbers. I.D.G. now makes more from online ads than from print ones. But the publisher has an advantage that others don't -- tech and IT news consumers are already Web junkies. I bet a transition to Web-only output would be harder for other publications.

Citizen Journalism Awards

It may not be a Pulitzer but it's a start. Sunshine Week, a news and government commentary (blog) news site, has partnered with Helium.com, a blogger site based on "experience-based knowledge" to create a citizen journalism award starting in March 2009. The qualifications are pretty strict, mimicking "real" journalistic standards. Either way, citizen journalists are becoming a force to be reckoned with.

A Blogger in Iraq

Hi Everyone,

Came across this and thought it was interesting to read about this former solider's sort of journey into blogging. I thought it was interesting to read about how this man regards what he does.

Ethical Case Studies

Give a quick read to Craig Chapters 14 & 16, in which online codes of ethics as well as online ethical dilemmas are discussed. In Chapter 16, there are 7 short case studies, followed by a few questions that Craig poses. Choose two of these case studies and answer Craig's questions based on how YOU would respond, i.e., how you would handle the situation if that decision fell on you. Don't post your responses here; e-mail to me by Friday evening (anytime before Saturday). No need to put in a Word attachment; you can just put your thoughts and response in the e-mail field. No minimum or maximum; just be thoughtful and explain why you would make your decision.