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Monday, November 06, 2006

Trends In News Distribution


Has anyone else noticed how the main stream media sources are almost begging for news tips, story idea's, and newsworthy photographs?

Just take a look at the front page of the disgrace and you'll see an item called "Contact Us" which is nothing more than a request for you to send in any juicy story or tip. No credit, no pay, no free paper, nothing.

Then you have WMDT TV47 with their "Newswatcher" banner at the top of their website and 30 second TV ads. Their motto is "See it, shoot it, send it in"!

And finally WBOC.com with a dedicated menu item on their website called "Your Story Idea's"

All of these ploys are meant to get the best possible, breaking news stories to the news outlet in a timely fashion simply so they can "run" with it as if it were their own staff and hard work bringing you the latest. You might say "What's wrong with that, don't you even ask for people to call you with their tips?" And I can only say there is one BIG difference between the local blog sites and the media sources mentioned above. They are out to make a PROFIT with your free contribution. The sell advertising space and in the case of the disgrace they even have the nerve to sell the rag they call daily news.

The face of news as we know will change in the near future. Blog sites are fast becoming a reliable means of legitimate news and is able to distribute the information in a fast and efficient manner.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Joe,
in case you didn't know the "daily disappointment" gets a tax break from the city for their equipment. this has to be applied for I think every year. This is the main reason the daily disappointment doesn't publish anything to detrimental against the powers that be in little ole salisbury. They don't want to lose their tax break. Which by the way is the reason so many other companies have left the city.