This week I'll be talking about the movie Page One: Inside the New York Times. I can't tie the topic specifically to the Winnipeg Jets, as that would not do justice to what was an exceptional movie. However, I can tie it in to blogging in general and the changes that have taken place in media in the last ten or so years.
The movie is a documentary showing the inner workings of the New York Times office, but also showing how social media, blogs and the internet age in general are changing the game for mainstream media publications.
The film starts with video of a printing press at work printing traditional newspapers. It was a great way to start the movie. Even though there are printing presses at work all over the world, the viewer still feels like they are looking at something nostalgic, as more as more people switch to online sources for their news.
The person in the film who most spoke to me was New York times reporter David Carr, who can be seen in the image below. It wasn't his animated personality or troubled past that caught my attention. What got me about Carr was the fact that he defends and stands up for the New York Times, and shows such an immense loyalty to his employer. I got the sense that he truly loves his employer and I was inspired by this loyalty. But Carr also made me believe that traditional media is still important.
The internet allows me to have a voice and that is one of the great things about the internet age. Without having specific journalism credentials, I can write a weekly post and use social media to get it out to people. I have had total strangers read JetFiles and comment on it, and I like that I can have a voice to discuss a subject that I love.
With that being said, I still go to traditional media first when there is a breaking news story. For the most part, I trust that I will read something true and ethical if I go to a traditional media source. Some may call me niave but I would rather go to a reputable source first and then get different angles on social media and blogs.
I believe that it is not traditional media that is dying but just traditional news that is printed on paper. As the world slowly abandons printed news, traditional media will have to find ways to make money through their online publications. The New York Times now charges for a subscription to their website but continues to be the number one news website in the world. We may not be getting our news from the paper boy anymore but I believe a majority of us are still getting it from mainstream sources
Page one taught me that traditional news media is not dead. It's just working to adapt and ensure it's survival. Ultimately I believe it will adapt and survive.
