Convergence Fundamental Question

Convergence Fundamental Question

1. Seen as

   • A Bussiness to increase productivity and marketing.
   • A potential to do better journalism.

2. What is it?

   • "Convergence is about survival" - Paul Horrocks, editor of the Mancherter Evening News / The Guardian. UK.
   • "A way to protect their place in the market" - Michale Aeria, deputy publisher of the Star Publications group in Malaysia.
   • The chance to deliver news and information to consumers in a new and different way, or to expand the franchise. - Howard Tyner, former editor of the Chicago Tribune and later senior vice-presiden of the Tribune Company, and, Gil Thelen, publisher of the Tampa Tribune.
   • "Convergency is not about technology but about the mindset" - Haagerup, 2002.
   • "Convergency is not about co-operation (sharing of resources) or partnerships, it involves a change between journalists and managers in the way of approaching the information", Rich Gordon.
   • Convergence involves a reporter who is a specialist in an area that also can re-purpose the info in different ways.

3. Different ways of it (Rich Gordon)

   • Ownership Convergence
     • Creates synergy between the TV products and the printed products which are frome the same company.
   • Tactical Convergence
     • Bussines arrangements between different mass media owners, for example a TV station with a Radio station, each one owned by different people.
   • Structural Convergence
     • Introducing new positions inside the newsroom so they can pick products from, for example, the press and pass those to the TV, or from the TV and re-package them in the Radio.
   • Information-gathering Convergence
     • The requirement of skilled reporters which can do all forms of journalism, so that after attending some event, he/she writes for the organization's website, also writes for the newspaper, produces a radio version of it and also creates a version for TV.
   • Storytelling Convergence
     • Innovative ways to tell stories

4. Competing models

   • Bussines
     • Publishing in multiple platforms means more productivity.
     • Co-opertition > A form of business where organizations that were competitors work together when it helps them both. Win-win.
     • "Co-operate with others to increase the size of the pie. Compete in cutting it up" Walter Keichel, editor of the Harvard Business Review.
   • Journalism
     • "To help people live their lives more easily" Gil Thelen, publisher of the Tampa Tribune.
     • Problem "paradox of the modern newspaper": How can it presents content in a way that its quickly to scan but also deep and informative?
     • "Convergence offers the audience new ways of absorbing news rather than just offering journalists new of presenting it" (Northrup, 2002)

5. What moves convergence?

   • The changing attitudes and lifestyles of new consumers.
   • The people's information-seeking-behavior is changing and as such, media organizations have to respond to that.
   • Competition with the arrival of Internet

6. Barriers

   • Laws > in New Zealand and Australia, companies cannot own newspapers or TV Channels.
   • Taking appart the reporter's focus on doing not only a radio promo but also things for the newspaper, the TV show and the web page.

7. Conclusion

   • Understand the audiences so that the journalists and publishers can work on their needs.
   • Convergence is not about saving money, if it turns that way, there's not ensurement of verifying the facts.
   • Making the union of all media an strength