Innovation and the Future of Journalism

Journalism and the media are in the midst of tumultuous change, driven at least in part by technological and economic uncertainty on a global scale. The thesis of this paper is that the key to the viability of news media in the digital age, as demonstrated by both long- and short-term patterns, is innovation. To insure long-term success, innovation in news media should be guided by four principles: intelligence or research, a commitment to freedom of speech, a dedication to the pursuit of truth and accuracy in reporting, and ethics. Evidence is presented that early innovation by news media leaders that adhere to the principles outlined here are finding success in both building audience and generating digital revenue.