Watching & Listening To News Unfold

Historically news was gathered methodically over the course of time. Newspapers with an evening deadline took all day to get their story. Magazines took weeks. Even electronic mediums (radio/TV) were unable to respond immediately unless luck was on their side. Or, as in the case of the Kennedy assassination, Cronkite was directing things from New York while Dan Rather was on the ground in Dallas. Chaos ensued. The story was unfolding right before our eyes and news delivery changed. Then CNN altered news gathering dramatically when they connected reporters from all over the globe. Many of them were stringers, freelancers hired for the moment. News gather began to become news.

Today, the Internet gives news mediums websites that can be updated in an instance. Bloggers are able to create and forward information based on the speed of their connection and typing. Broadcasters can interrupt regular programming with instant reports, or stay on the air as the story unravels. The Smoking Gun is able to get information online fast thanks to the countless sources in cyberspace. The Onion and other sites do the same thing. Everybody with a computer and hi-speed connection is a potential source for news for these, and many other sites.

Today in Dallas the news has centered around a professional athlete, Terrell Owens. The story has unfolded throughout the day as the public has been tuned to radio and TV observing every report - whether it was confirmed or not, whether it was speculation or not, whether it was true or not. It’s how we’ve learned to get the news today. It may also explain why we’re so skeptical - even cynical.

Can you imagine Watergate happening in today’s world? Reporters analyze, speculate and repeat themselves. Reporting the news is not really the game today. It’s more about sharing the news gathering experience with the audience, warts and all.