So, for example, while TheForce.net, a Star Wars fan site, may have a great deal of information for its target audience, the newspaper's role is to make connections for its own readers and to find larger issues that such a site may miss or does not have access to. Not only do journalists have new, flashy tools, but they are pressured to use them in reporting and storytelling. The medium demands that journalists report and write more quickly, which could short-circuit quality. The web has increased the voices and the stories being told and may be expanding the very definition of journalism. All of these factors place pressure on news organizations, Fry says, but most of these situations can be resolved by applying the basic tenets of journalism.
Tools Are Cool, But . . .
Fry says, but they should not be a substitute for great writing. It's the writing, he says, that keeps the online visitor scrolling. Besides, while many newspapers have high-speed connections, audio and video might not be in order for users, who may lack the technology to enjoy the total web experience. These are places where the experts talk to one another. Use common sense and good journalism to identify credible sources of information.