NewsBeat

2 NewsBeat December 2018 NewsBeat A NEWSLETTER FOR NEW YORK'S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS Published by the New York Press Association 621 Columbia Street Ext., Suite 100, Cohoes, NY 12047 518.464.6483 • 518.464.6489 fax • www.nynewspapers.com Executive Editor — Michelle K. Rea Layout & Design — Rich Hotaling PA NY Mark your calendar Tuesday, January 8, 2019 NYPA Better Newspaper Contest Deadline Thursday, April 4, 2019 NYPA/NYPS Boards of Directors Meetings NYPA Foundation Board of Directors Meeting Hilton Albany, Albany, NY Friday & Saturday, April 5 & 6, 2019 NYPA Spring Convention and Tradeshow Hilton Albany, Albany, NY Friday, June 14, 2019 NYPA/NYPS Board of Directors Meetings NYPA Foundation Board of Directors Meeting NYPA Offices 621 Columbia St. Extension, Cohoes, NY Thursday, September 19, 2019 NYPA/NYPS Boards of Directors Meetings NYPA Foundation Board of Directors Meeting Saratoga Casino Hotel Saratoga Springs, NY Friday & Saturday, September 20 & 21, 2019 NYPA Fall Conference Saratoga Casino Hotel Saratoga Springs, NY C L I P & S A V E New study explores why tech isn't always the answer to news media's problems T he news industry has been in a state of flux for quite some time. Innovation in the industry has been impacted by the relentless pace of technological and audience change. A new study, "Time to step away from the "bright, shiny things"? towards a sustainable model of journalism innovation in an era of perpetual change," raises a warning call to organizations that are focusing on constant evolution rather than identifying and committing to their own strengths, stating that "relentless, high-speed pursuit of technology- driven innovation could be almost as dangerous as stagnations." The study report is not anti-innovation or anti-technology but calls for "more critical reflective practice and research-informed approaches to developing integrated journalism innovation strategies that help sustain news publishing." The report identifies three key themes: The risks of "Shiny Things Syndrome" and the impacts of "innovation fatigue" in an era of perpetual change Audiences: starting (again) with the end user The need for a "user-led" approach to researching journalism innovation and developing foundational frameworks to support it The report raised the need for a consensus definition of "innovation' as it impacts journalists and the business side of news alike. The report discusses a number of topics that keep news leaders awake at night. Publishers are unsure whether new technological developments will help them succeed and are reluctant to invest the time in answering those questions, but they also fear missing out on trends. Business pressures also impact how innovations can be assessed and their worth to companies in a changing market. One potential solution to innovation fatigue is creating a "north star" for innovation. In the report, the needs of audiences emerged a one potential strategic focus. The report states that "innovations in audience engagement and development are more important than technological innovations (although the two are usually interrelated in digital contexts)." The audience's needs vary greatly by publication and geography and are also related to audience polarization and trust. Given the wide range of experiences and needs reflected in the research, collaboration and communication among new organizations is key. To read to full report, Google: Reuters Institute of Journalism — innovation fatigue study.

• Cover