A new We Media / Zogby poll shows that two thirds of the US believes that traditional journalism is out of touch with what the public wants, and nearly the same amount is dissatisfied with the quality of journalism in their communities.
The survey also found that an overwhelming majority of respondents – nearly half of those surveyed – cite the web as their primary source for news and information. Runners up were television at 29%, radio at 11% and newspapers at10%. These numbers skewed even lower with younger groups, which make the prognosis even more dire, as that demographic will soon make up the majority of the United States.
The one saving grace that the survey indicated was that to a large majority, journalism is still regarded as important to the quality of life in communities, but it shows that there is a fundamental disconnect between journalism and readers. The same audience that once subscribed to a daily newspaper now relies on online media and blogs because they could consume it on their terms. Journalism is still important, but the traditional way it is delivered to us is not.
The death knell for traditional newspapers is sounding. It will be a slow transition, but I expect that we will see a number of major newspapers closing their doors or downsizing significantly over the next few years. The papers that innovate and transition their journalism skills to fit the consumption habits of their audience will thrive. Those that don’t will die a slow death. It’s that simple.
[via TechCrunch]
