Michael Rosenblum:
-As I have stated in a previous post, I believe that Rosenblum’s ideas about the future of journalism are misguided. So the question I pose is this: where will journalism be in 5-10 years if the Michael Rosenblum’s of the world take it over? The response to this might be, “Well, at least journalism would still exist if that were the case!” To which I say, “No. It wouldn’t.”
-Despite the fact that I have been critical of Rosenblum’s ideas for the future of the journalism industry, I do believe that he is a brilliant businessman. His belief that people need to come up with their own good ideas instead of waiting to attach themselves to someone else’s is spot on. But with this sentime
nt in mind, will journalism survive in the hands of large companies or does the future belong to the entrepreneurial journalist?
Brian Farnham:
-Farnham spoke about how Patch.com has an advertisement driven revenue system. He also spoke about how the website has yet to make any money. So can Patch and future sites like it survive on revenue from smaller local businesses? Might they have to sell ad space to larger businesses, or would that abandon their mission of serving individual communities?
-One of the most interesting things about Patch.com is the “Beliefs” section of their editors’ profiles. I admit that I am not sure how to feel about this. On the one hand, it is refreshing to see a serious news organization that doesn’t pretend to be the epitome of objective journalism. But on the other hand, it seems to go without saying that people have their own beliefs, but they don’t belong anywhere near the news itself. So will this type of ultra-transparent journalism catch on?
