Yesterday, we laughed at the beginnings of today's modern media and those silly people who thought reading a newspaper on a computer was absurd (plus the guy who was labeled "Owns Home Computer"). But what about tomorrow's media?
One 26-year-old in California is attempting to revamp journalism to focus on the process more than the product -- leaving newspapers almost entirely behind. His site, Spot Us, encourages community members to submit story tips and then pledge money to fund an independent reporter to write the story.
As more and more journalists are losing their jobs in today's economy and industry, this innovative new business model is supposed to bring back the issues locals are interested in -- because they'll be paying for it. But no one donor can provide more than 20 percent of the story's total cost to help ensure that there is no bias or overly vested interest in each article.
I don't think anyone can be against the "community reporting" Spot Us advocates, but as consumers are more and more concerned with their specific interests (i.e. pink eye shadow or elephants that can do back flips), this will only fuel limited access.
International news seems to be the first victim. Statistics show that in 2006 only 39 percent of Americans said they follow international news regularly. Although journalism is a moneymaking business, it must maintain a business model that has reporters seeking the news and not falling prey to being told what is the news.
Spot Us has already finished and published more than five articles on its site, and is currently working on one about a local man killed by Bay Area Rapid Transit police and the impact that event has had on the community. More than 20 people donated to the cause and I'm sure dozens of others are anticipating its publication.
There's no denying journalism is currently evolving into a beast we may not even recognize in the decades to come and I think Spot Us is on to something: It's employing reporters, encouraging an active community and producing news that you know at least 20 people legitimately care about.
Who knows, in 25 years our floating head label could be: "Still reads hard copy newspapers".
-Mar
