The new news: vision, structure, and the digital myth in online journalism

2014-07-28The journalism industry’s editorial practices and business model are being pushed to change in the online environs, and while some of the ideals behind journalism and many of its traditional practices are evolving with the change in medium, the transition is a slow process as inertia grips an industry that had relied on these practices for over a century. Organizational literature finds that it can be difficult for organizations to change their structures once they are created, which can explain some of the reluctance to change even as traditional media move online. Born‐online news organizations, however, which have never had traditional media counterparts, seem to be in an advantageous position as they do not have to change existing practices in order to make the best use of the Internet. Rather, born‐online publications can build new organizations that approach the Internet and new technology without being held back by traditional journalism practices that may not work in the online environment. This study used ethnography to compare an online‐only newsroom with the online arm of an established news radio station, with regard to their structures, leadership, and approach to technology. A survey of online journalists was also conducted. The results found, however, that online‐only newsrooms may be at a disadvantage as they may start without the ingrained structure, routines, and business leadership that are crucial for an organization’s success, while still mimicking traditional print practices that may not make sense online. The online journalists surveyed also maintained a fairly traditional approach to the audience, even as they recognized the need to change. While cognitive inertia may mean that established newsrooms have a difficult time changing their practices in response to technological changes, the task of building a new organization from the ground up without any assumed business structure and routines is a difficult task as well, rendering success at online‐only news organizations more difficult in some ways than slow changes at established newsrooms, highlighting the importance of structure, leadership, and vision