Report on "Using New Media to Keep Up With the Changing Times"

This session began with the age-old question in mass media as of late: "Will newspapers survive?" The answer to this question was brighter than expected, as Rob Quigly, Austin-American Statesman Social Media Director stated that the model will change but not vanish. He further commented that the industry is too busy evolving with changing social media trends to be concerned, and that the industry is taking along people who are willing to change with that model.
Dave Doolittle, on the other hand, who is the Statesmans' Internet Editor, commented more frankly: "We don't know." As Doolittle explains, it is hard to predict trends, and the only thing that matters is trying to stay ahead of the curve. The final panelist present, Elise Hu, a Texas Tribune Reporter, added a description of journalists needing to adapt to a "tectonic shift" in reporting; one that demands connectivity and knowledge across the board of social media in this quickly evolving Web 2.0 world.
In response to whether newspapers have credible advantages in this day and age, Quigly eagerly replied "credability." In a world of cyber rumors and tweets, Quigly added that where people turn to when a search of the truth is a matter of great importance is a newspaper, because they know its rooted in evidence and verified research. Some other things newspapers are offering these days is accessability and aggregated news strories. According to Hu, the cyber age has provided newsstaffs freedom to release reporters to more important and more time-costly stories.
With that said, certain issues still need to be addressed and changes made in order for the industry to stay afloat. Some experimentations in journalism include a non-profit model built upon sponsorships and advertising, Paywalls which allow more in-depth coverage online for a cost, and other various collaborations with social media outlets such as Twitter and facebook in order to create a cohesiveness with the people in delivering news stories.
As a conclusion to the panel discussion, all three panelists offered the following advice to current journalism students. First of all, don't lose your ethics as a journalist simply because the platforms and speed of delivery of news is changing. If ethics in the newsroom changes, then the news industry will surely crumble. Secondly, do not specialize. Employers are looking for individuals proficient in everything from handling a camera to recording a soundbite to posting stories on a website. Finally, Hu remarked that what truly impresses newsstaffs are "go-getters" and those willing to do what it takes. In an age where the media industry is doing more and more with less, professionals like Doolittle, Hu, and Quigley know that if you truly love and give your all to what you do, you'll never work a day in your life.