Open Media
âItâs a few nanoseconds into the the Big Bang, we have 4 light elements and no galaxiesâ â Doc Searls on the state of new media
Persephone's assertions (for discussion!)
1. (Old media is broken) In the United States, new content creation and dissemination possibilities afforded by new technology are disrupting the scarcity-based business models of all forms of traditional commercial media. There are already examples of market failures to meet the information needs of a democracy, and the trend is accelerating. The effects are less acute in countries with more dominant public media or lower Internet penetration, but the tendencies are the same.
2. (Bloggers didnât break it) The rise of non-professionals critiquing, aggregating, pointing to or creating news-related content is parallel to the changes in the traditional industry; it is not the cause of the disruption.
3. (Bloggers wonât fix it) The new participatory media sphere is expanding rapidly, but without intervention will not develop the specific functions needed to fill the gaps being created by the shrinking of the traditional market.
4. (We can do anything) Emerging technologies offer incredible potential to enhance and improve every aspect of the news and information environment: reporting, context, responsiveness, comprehensiveness, analysis, links to civic engagement.
5. (But we wonât) The mechanisms that currently drive investment of human and other resources are not functioning to take advantage of that potential.
6. (Unless you help) Coordinated efforts by multiple stakeholders are needed to stimulate media projects with public service missions, regardless of their revenue model.
7. (Use cross-breeding to let 1000 new hybrid flowers bloom) Projects should be based on cross-sector, multi-media collaboration and experimentation that builds on the expertise, resources and energy extant in traditional media institutions, technology companies, civil society, and the audience itself.