Journalism (as we know it in America) is...

• the protector of free speech
• the cornerstone of democratic society
• the government watch dog

Traditional journalistic enterprises are scared of the Internet because

• their role as gatekeepers is threatened
  • competing with primary sources of information
    • obtain info straight from "horse's mouth"
    • verify information published by media
  • competing with citizen-produced journalism
    • ethics
      • veracity of information (Matt Drudge, but also WSJ)
      • speed - news cycle is continuous and "NOW"
• the internet is about a two way flow of information
  • how exert editorial control on conversation
• digital nature calls for multiple media modalities
  • historically specialize in one medium

Should they be afraid?