Michael Higdon believes journalism is in yet another transition not unlike the transitions from partisan politics to Hearst's sensational journalism and then to Pulitzer's professional journalism. As Steven Smith of the Spokesman-Review says, news is a conversation between the public and the journalist that must take place in order to be successful. More than anything, current journalistic values must remain strong while journalism practices evolve and adapt.
Part of that adaptation involves the Internet, not only in diverse forms of content but in the methods used to connect to people. The Internet is more than a repository for stories or place to view videos and listen to sound, it is an instant technology that should be used to engage readers at a higher level using forums, social networking, hyper-local resources, customizable and interactive technologies.
For journalism to survive it must incorporate all forms of journalism on all platforms: traditional news stories, with civic engagement, with user generated content on paper, on mobile devices, on home computers. Otherwise it will not survive.
