By Rick Forgione
Niagara Gazette
NIAGARA FALLS —
I was having a conversation recently about some of the changes and downsizing going on at newspapers across the country when someone cut in with a less-than-inspirational remark.
“Well, the newspaper industry is dying anyway,” Miss Opinion said.
Ouch.
Maybe next you would like to tell me how my favorite goldfish isn’t looking well these days either.
Hearing that my chosen career field is struggling to survive is hardly headline news, but I still cling to the hope that reports of its demise are greatly exaggerated.
I refuse to accept the newspaper industry is dying. Actually, it’s evolving.
People will always need news, plain and simple. How they get it is the part in doubt.
Take this column for instance. You’re either holding today’s edition of the Niagara Gazette in your hands and wondering why my eyes are closed in the photo, or you’ve clicked on our Web site and are scrolling to the end.
Whichever the case, I’m just glad you’re reading — though I obviously prefer you have the newsprint copy (for scrapbooking purposes).
That’s not to say the Niagara Gazette isn’t trying to be one of the cool kids keeping up with the times. You’ve probably noticed we unveiled a new Web site design earlier this month. It has a lot of swanky, er, I mean phat, no wait, SWEET bells and whistles. We’ve started doing afternoon news updates in hopes of driving more virtual traffic to the site while you’re supposed to be working. You will also find photo slideshows from various events, audio and video links — and of course plenty of articles and breaking news.
We’re even on Twitter and Facebook.
Of course, the hope is you get a taste of what we have to offer online and pick up the print edition in the morning. Though I definitely understand the allure, I still prefer reading an actual newspaper on a Sunday morning (with all the inserts and sections intact) over staring at a computer screen and checking my cell phone for Google alerts.
So how does print journalism co-exist with its Web site counterpart as we super speed into the future? Beats me, but I do know we try our best every day to put out informative and compelling content in both mediums, which will hopefully keep people reading (or clicking) for years to come.
Earlier this week, I visited my alma mater Medaille College and spoke to two journalism classes. After stressing about whether I should wear a tie, my second fear was how I would answer the inevitable question “where do you see the newspaper industry in five years?” That and “will journalism make me rich?” are the norms at those things.
Ironically, neither question came. There was no, “how are you adapting your product to the Internet?” or “do you think your job is secure?” or even, “do they allow you to dress like that at work?”
The students seemed more interested in hearing how I broke into the business, what I love and hate about my job and what I think are the keys to a long and successful career.
Of course, that was after they all “Googled” me.
Rick Forgione is city editor of the Niagara Gazette. Contact him at 282-2311, ext. 2257 or email rick.forgione@niagara-gazette.com
