Certainly we now have 24-hour news cycles, and there are more voices out there reporting and debating. The skeptics say the public will remain disaffected with the political process despite the Internet. And many old-media adherents argue that online journalism is just about gimmicks or, at worst, will result in a lowering of standards. In 1948, skeptics abounded, too. They thought the flickering and grainy picture they could see was a magic-box trick that would alter the world of politics and journalism not a jot.
Political notebook is ready to hazard a couple of forecasts.
It further will inform and educate the public and, at the same time, add to political disaffection, resulting in a buildup of pressure for change and reform. Second, the Internet and what it can offer will continue to encourage the public to demand a wide range of choice in the information available and how it is communicated, but it also will increase the need for quality. In short, the voices providing timely and authoritative news, analysis and commentary will be heard above the din coming from the Tower of Babel. Click here for reprint information. Email this article to a friend.