Are we going the right way?? Traditional Media to Social Media

Social media seems to be replacing traditional media outlets such as newspapers and broadcasting stations at an unprecedented rate during this time of recession.

“As each day passes, we're presented with new information that documents the decline of traditional media in favor of online counterparts and new media competitors. It seems that newspapers are among the hardest hit with circulation and print advertising down - forcing layoffs across the country.” http://www.briansolis.com/2008/05/social-media-continues-to-rival.html

Throughout the last month newspaper staffs have been downsized and highly accredited broadcasting stations are trying to figure out how to stay afloat in this volatile time.

Through various Public Relations seminars dedicated to students, I have learned that this downsizing and capital cuts at news media outlets has caused a big problem for public relations professionals. It is now harder to contact a journalist to get an organizations message out.

I argue that it is not only harder for organizations to deliver their desired messages but also harder for citizens to access information on what is happening to their society.

During this time of recession citizens need to be informed of what steps its governing body is taking to ensure the least daily disruptions to their lives takes place. This includes how it is interacting with business, organizations, social endeavors and new proposed policies and plans.

Traditional media outlets, in my opinion, provide citizens with the information they need. Newspapers such as Metro and 24 hours are not only free but are readily available to the public with their placement in and along subway routes.

As the TTC transports nearly 300,000 people if not more, it is the perfect outlet to have printed information to reach Canadian citizens on their daily transmute. It is also the perfect outlet to elicit dialogue on issues/concerns or general inquiries as passengers are intermingled during their ride.

I believe social media is very important to today’s environment. It has many benefits and creates online dialogue from the comfort of your home computer.

However I do believe that it cannot replace the necessity of newspapers. An organization both governmental and non governmental must access the population with its intended message. Social media allows for citizens to access information from the company site, not the company site accessing the general population.

What this means is that the onus falls on citizens to keep themselves informed and to search out their own information.

But who has time for that? Persons who have jobs are too busy at work and too tired when they get home. Persons who do not have a job are too busy searching for work and a method of survival to bother with trying to access information.

Therefore I believe the best way to keep citizens informed is to keep the distribution of newspapers and television news programs that deliver important information as a top priority.

But to do this during a time of recession seems difficult. As employment cuts are happening to the left, right and center.

Maybe it is time for our governing body to dedicate more resources (such as capital) to ensuring citizen access to information. Not just what citizens choose to seek out, but the information that citizens should be informed about.

To me it only makes sense:

In order to rally grassroot support for any project or policy organizations and government have to tell citizens what is happening. It has to tell citizens what it is proposing. It has to tell citizens how they will be affected.

The best way to do that (at least in Toronto) is through the well developed delivery of newspapers that we see present with the TTC. It is a well developed system of information delivery.

Please let me know what you think... Like I said, this is just my opinion...