Traditional Media Just Can't Keep Up

It has been a fascinating journey over the last fifteen years to see not only the evolution of the Internet, but also the dramatic shift in traditional media and those that live in that world. We now live in a society where we get news within seconds of it happening....well before television, radio or newspapers can get it to us. We now get our news in a format we choose, at a time that we want and in a manner that we can control. In the wake of the demise of one of North America's larger newspapers, what was being predicted as the death of traditional media is now painfully evident...digital has taken over and traditional media cannot keep up.

A point that hit home for me came in an article regarding the closing of the Seattle Post-Intellegencer, David Lonay, 80, a subscriber since 1950, said he'll miss a morning ritual that can't be replaced by a Web-only version. "The first thing I do every day is get the P-I and read it," Lonay said. "I really feel like an old friend is dying." And I don't blame him. I feel the same way about our local paper, but sadly though, I'm finding that the content of our paper has already hit me well before the paper is delivered.

Coincidentally, the initial report on the newspaper's possible demise came out through the social networks. One such post was made on January 30th by Sarah Gilbert. Sarah refers to getting the 'rumor' through her 'twitter'. The eventual news came out on March 16th.

In another example, my 18 year old son started recieving posts in a number of social networks he belongs to regarding a moronic display on Fox News regarding our Canadian Forces. It spread like wildfire! And it wasn't until the following day that the traditional media players caught up.

In another case, a local friend had accumulated enough votes in the International promotional search for an Island Caretaker to place second among 34,000 entries, strictly through social media and well before the traditional media jumped on it.

Unfortunately, traditional media are stuck in a paradigm of top-down pushing and processes that restrict the speed of delivery. Simply moving content online is not working either. The demands of social media including open dialogue, free speech and unrestricted interchange are contrary to the mindset of traditional and over regulated media players. Frankly, it's almost an unfair advantage that Social Media players have.

Don't get me wrong, I love the traditional media. The integrity, the people and the commitment to our community are amazing. What is evident though is that the world of information is changing and the old ways are fading....like an old friend.