I think it’s a sign of the times. Some might says it’s because of the economy. I don’t. The media has changed and it’s not going to change back to the way it was.
Thanks to a heads up from Steve Drake, Drake & Company, I learned that the American Society of Newspaper Editors has canceled their 2009 Convention. Here are some particularly telling excerpts from their news release. I’ve highlighted some elements myself:
This is only the second time since ASNE was founded that it has foregone holding a convention. ASNE also canceled its convention during the last critical days of World War II in 1945.
In the meantime, Hall said the organization will increase reliance on the Web to help editors share what they are learning as they reinvent their news organizations for multiple platforms.
ASNE had planned votes at the Chicago convention on bylaws changes that would drop “paper” from its name and expand its membership to include editors of online-only news Web sites and leading journalism educators. That, and the annual election of new board members, will now occur electronically.
“We intend to press on with our transformation of ASNE to ensure its relevance in the digital age,” Hall said. “As we broaden our membership, we will aggressively advocate for innovation in journalism, access to public information, First Amendment rights, diversity and ethical standards.”
How are ag communications groups continuing to be relevant to their members? I’ve mentioned that the lines between print, broadcast and web are blurring. If we’re all doing the same things (photos, video, audio, writing, web editing, social networking) do we still need multiple organizations? Are we duplicating efforts? I’m just posing the questions. I’m a member of all the different ag groups and I’m seeing less differences in them all the time, especially when you have a growing amount of crossover membership with companies that are using multiple communications platforms.
I think this concept of media change needs to also be taken into consideration by ag organizations who hold conventions and meetings to which they invite and credential the media. When was the last time you reviewed your policies? How are you keeping the services you offer relevant and useful to the media attending?