» NOTE: This is a cross-post from Paprika Studios.

The Fresno Bee—following in the footsteps of parent company, McClatchy—recently announced a 10% reduction in its workforce. Despite any frustrations I may have with the Bee (I’m not shy about expressing them), the paper is a large influence in the community. My initial reaction was an open letter, posted to Bee-owned Fresno Famous, suggesting the media giant (comparative to other local outlets, that is) learn a few new habits. Many comments from the Famous user base emphasized my points, and offered a few additional things the paper should consider.

The original post has been expanded a bit, offering the insights of a digital native (that’s me) to all local media. It has been published in this form in Fresno Pacific University’s Scholars Speak series, and has been distributed throughout the community—ironically, to the same media outlets it references.

The university editor offers an introduction:

Dear Editor,

Like the truth, the news is out there, but fewer are finding it through traditional media. This worries newspaper, TV and radio journalists and executives and has already resulted in layoffs among Valley news organizations.

Beyond the bottom line lie the whole definition of news and the place of journalists in a web-connected world. When people can connect directly with experts, without need of printing presses, cameras and microphones, do they still need professional go-betweens?

James Collier, community relations director at Fresno Pacific University, has grown up with new media and offers suggestions for traditional news outlets in the July Scholars Speak. A self-described Millennial and digital native, he is a former web editor who has done graduate research in online communities.

Scholars Speak is Fresno Pacific University’s offering of publication-ready short articles, written by faculty and staff, backed by research and concerned with issues of importance to our community. The program is directed by Rod Janzen, FPU senior scholar, and articles are sent from the University Communications Office.

Members of our faculty and staff are available for further comments on subjects featured in this series as well other issues facing the region, nation and world. Please direct requests, questions, comments and suggestions to me by telephone at 559-453-3677 or by email at wsteffen@fresno.edu.

» Read the article: "Rethinking the way we get our news"

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