Evolving journalism

In my journalism classes and throughout training week for the Marquette Tribune, I have heard again and again that this is such an exciting time to be in journalism because we are able to contribute to how journalism will evolve out of the print stage and into the digital age (rhyme intended).

Today I noticed an interesting example off such an evolvement on CNN.

Viewers were presented with teasers for three entertainment stories CNN reporters had covered, and they could text a number to vote for which one of these three they wanted to see aired later that day.

This seems like an innovative way to keep viewers watching CNN and to spark interest, but it also causes me some disappointment in CNN's journalistic integrity, not so much for entertainment stories, but for the future of its news stories.

Are the major news networks going to let viewers determine what news is important and what news is not? One of the amazing things about these networks - and their distinction from citizen journalists - is that they have the resources to report on stories the public cannot access. As such, the public may not know that they should find a news event important and may vote for a more familiar, engaging, "light" topic if presented with such a choice.

This speaks to the concern that with the new social media as the major platform by which people learn news, people will tailor the news they read and hear to their own pre-formed beliefs - what they want to hear, not necessarily what they need to hear.

Food for thought.