Being more than just "more local"

Many people take dim view of news media
A report points to 'shrinking ambitions' in news organizations but not a fade toward irrelevancy.

"The news media face a challenging, uncertain future as the public's confidence in them continues to slip, according to a sweeping study to be released today.

"News organizations have entered a 'new era of shrinking ambitions,' according to the report from the Project for Excellence in Journalism, a Washington-based research group. 'In a sense, all news organizations are becoming more niche players, basing their appeal less on how they cover the news and more on what they cover.'

"Yet media outlets have not adequately thought through this transition, said Tom Rosenstiel, the project's director.

"'If this means simply doing less, the public will suffer," he added. "News organizations have to become smarter and more authoritative in certain areas, even as they pull back in others. And I suspect that means more than just being more local.'"

(Thanks to Hal Boedeker, TV critic for the Orlando Sentinel)