A reporter's take on online news

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The rise of the Internet has provided the world with a medium that carries
an unlimited amount of glorious information. But Internet veterans know that
just because it was found on the Net, it doesn't necessarily mean that the
information is the best or even reliable. The Internet is littered with some
very questionable information, so how does this affect journalists who
primarily write for online news sites? Julio Moran, a journalism professor
at USC and former Los Angeles Times reporter gave his opinion regarding
online journalism.

OJC: What do you think of the quality of work found in online news sites?
Moran: The quality of the articles seems to be comparable to wire service
stories rather than to newspaper stories. Part of this is because of the
constant deadlines, and partly because most of the stories are written by
less experienced people.

OJC: Do you think that the Internet as a new medium for journalists
benefited the trade?
Moran: I don't think the medium has made journalism better, but it has
created a potential new source of revenue and exposure for media companies,
both print and broadcast.

OJC: As an experienced journalist, do you have a media preference?
Moran: I prefer newspapers because of its credibility and because of it
portability. I can read a newspaper anywhere, any time I want. Newspapers
also allow me more options without having to jump from Web site to Web site.
I can read as much of a story I want, and then move on.

OJC: Do you feel that there is a need for Internet news since similar
information is available on print or in television?
Moran: I think there is a need because of its immediacy. Television news is
on specific times throughout the day, and has a format that may require you
to wait a certain amount of time before you see the story you are looking
for. Newspapers generally have a 24-hour turnaround. The Internet allows me
to find news I'm looking for when I want to.

OJC: Is there a journalistic reason to have Internet news sites or is it
simply the reaction of following the norm that a company must have a Web
site?
Moran: I don't think there is a journalistic reason for the news sites, but
rather a business reason to maintain visibility and eventually profitability
for companies. It is good for newspapers to have a Web site with updated
news throughout the day, but I don't believe that it helps papers
journalistically.

OJC: What are your opinions about online journalism? How do you feel about
current Internet news sites?
Moran: The online journalism that I am most familiar with are the one that
provide summaries or links to stories in newspapers or other sites, sites as
Yahoo and Romanesko, and newspapers sites such as The New York Times and the
Washington Post. I think online journalism is good for the immediacy of
information and for providing links if I want more detailed information. The
sites allow me to keep up with the news while working at my desk without
having to watch TV or listen to the radio. However, I am suspect of many of
the non-newspaper-related "journalism" sites because I question their
credibility and motivation. The Internet allows anyone with a computer and
modem to set up a Web site and call it "journalism" without any credentials.

Julio Moran has been a journalist for 25 years and has been awarded Pulitzer
Prizes on two separate occasions during the course of his career with the
Los Angeles Times and Metro. Currently, he is the executive director of the
California Chicano News Media Association and a professor at the USC
Annenberg School of Journalism teaching newswriting and reporting.

Source:
www.ojr.org