Gillmor’s concern

One of the things I’ve always liked about listening to Dan Gillmor is his straightforward delivery. He seems more interested in technology and innovations as tools for better journalism — it’s not about wow, it’s more what can we — what can you — do with this?
At his recent visit to UNC and Duke, Gillmor outlined his research into the demand side of journalism. He started out with a bit of comfort to those of us trying to make the supply side work saying that he’s optimistic that new models for journalism operations are going to emerge. The demand side is another story.
Note: I’ll post a couple of videos from this talk in a day or two.
I’m glad to see thinking in this direction because it is a much bigger problem than a few chains unraveling or even figuring how to sell ads online.
What do people really want out of their papers, web sites, iPhones? If you can program your own news flow do you block out opposing ideas? Is journalism worth something to most people?
These are important questions because I am afeared that the brand has been damaged. The age of dis-informers, chattering pundits and star-driven infotainment has left the image of what journalism is or does in a shambles. At the same time the downsizing of the metro-dailies, the fumbling about with web models and the utter disdain by established sources for bloggers and new media innovators are eroding faith — and probably trust — in traditional local sources.
One interesting parallel is the result we’re seeing now in trying to deal with the economy. It is indisputably a moment for federal action yet many can’t shake the deeply embedded idea that government is the problem.
When we go out looking for support for journalistic endeavors will the response be based on a similar reaction or do people still feel connected to the work of the courthouse reporter and the city desk?
Gillmor is right, I think we’ll eventually get the supply side figured out. But if there’s little demand it won’t make a damn bit of difference.