The internet may have wounded the traditional print business model, but the worst problem I can see with modern for-profit media is the ultra-rapid time cycle to ‘publication’ which leads to such mediocre writing, research and corrodes thoughtful discussion. Getting the story up in five minutes to monetize clicks weakens the profession. It becomes entertainment, not thought provocation.
So insightful! I think with platforms like Substack, we might be able to get back to a 19th century model of publications with a few thousand paying readers; writers and reporters serving as community-builders rather than purveyors of toxic hyperpartisanship. This is a dream not yet realized and it might never be, at least not in my lifetime.
The internet may have wounded the traditional print business model, but the worst problem I can see with modern for-profit media is the ultra-rapid time cycle to ‘publication’ which leads to such mediocre writing, research and corrodes thoughtful discussion. Getting the story up in five minutes to monetize clicks weakens the profession. It becomes entertainment, not thought provocation.
Another great piece
Another excellent article, Maura. I appreciate your views as an insider.
Bravo! Well said.
So insightful! I think with platforms like Substack, we might be able to get back to a 19th century model of publications with a few thousand paying readers; writers and reporters serving as community-builders rather than purveyors of toxic hyperpartisanship. This is a dream not yet realized and it might never be, at least not in my lifetime.