Media140 -V- Old Media

Is that really you Mal?

Once upon a time, only experienced journalists had the opportunity (call it a right) to have their journalistic skills presented to us in the morning papers and on the evening news.

Boy has the media game changed!We have stepped through the looking glass and found ourselves searching the web for titbits to keep us informed.

As advertising revenues fall, traditional media is taking hit after hit in the social media arena with the likes of Twitter and Facebook changing the way society obtains worldwide and local news. The impact of real-time communication has sent the traditional media barons on the run and talking up journalistic accountability.

Those voicing ethical concerns directed their gaze at the sea of web savvy Twitterers and Bloggers madly typing away on iPhones or other paraphernalia, amazed at their dexterity.

This weekends Media 140 conference saw the likes of Mark Scott – ABC Managing Director (Opening Keynote); Laurel Papworth – Social Media consultant and blogger otherwise know in cyberspace as Silkcharm; Julian Morrow Co-founder of the Chaser moderated the segment on, ‘Do Journos Do it Better’?

Malcolm Turnbull, our Federal Opposition Leader choosing email (ops!) over Twitter and admitting that he doesn’t write all of his own tweets – others tweet for him (gasp!).

This revelation sent fingers flying – I blinked and Twit Feed had clocked up over 1,000 tweets! Sorting through the comments I heard that there might be a job going and put my hand up for assistant twitterer to Malcolm – just wanted to know first if my Tweeting efforts would be censored. No reply…but, Malcolm is now following me!

A highlight for me was the Editorial Director of Sydney’s Media140, Julia Posetti, delivering this little gem of wisdom, “tweeting is one of the skills contemporary journalists need to extend their professional practice and an essential venue for media outlets seeking to build new audiences and remain relevant as traditional audiences tune out, threatening the future of journalism.”

In general the panel presented informative and practical advice for bloggers and journalists on what is appropriate to say and do online. And one great term coined at #Media140 by Crikey’s Bernard Keane was, “Communities of interest, or ghettos of agreement?” Good on you Mr B.

Old media, let me introduce you to your new competitors!

Katherine McCormick, CEO
Utopia Research Institute

P.S. To find out more from the real time twitters at Media 140 go to  MEDIA 140