The Evolution of News/Information

Television news has much to learn from the evolution of newspapers. Years ago, the rise of cable TV and the internet began to chip away at newspapers' dominance. Instead of confronting these challenges, many in the industry remained in denial, believing their status was unassailable. Fast forward to the 21st century, and we see a frantic scramble for change, stemming from a failure to tackle these issues head-on earlier. TV news may very well find itself in a similar predicament. By 2030, many may regret not taking decisive action now, relying instead on superficial solutions like “tweaks, new furniture, and yet another research project.” 

The answers to the challenges facing TV news aren't complex, but they are often overshadowed by a culture of denial within the industry. Rather than embracing a broader media landscape and looking toward the future, the TV world seems to be stuck in a creative rut, opting for new sets, anchors, or flashy graphics as quick fixes. This is not the way forward. With televisions in nearly every home and devices in everyone's hands, the potential to engage and inspire audiences has never been greater. Yet, TV news feels trapped in a mid-80s mindset.

However, if a news program is thriving financially and ranking highly, radical changes may seem risky. But for those that aren’t, the key lies in having the courage to rethink their approach—content, culture, methodology, and actions. This is something legacy media often fails to grasp; if they truly understood, we would witness a transformative evolution in content and not just in digital delivery.

There are several areas where meaningful change could spark a revolution in news:

- **Modern Storytelling:** Most TV news is one-dimensional, often relying on anchors passing off to reporters in front of overly dramatized scenes. Imagine incorporating diverse resources—raw footage, viral content, natural sound, music, and creative writing—into a rich tapestry of storytelling.

- **Inspiration:** Platforms like YouTube host more innovative content than traditional media can comprehend. Instead of drawing from old media, which can hinder reinvention, look elsewhere for inspiration.

- **Save it for the Web:** Often, brilliant content is relegated to station websites rather than being showcased on the main channel. This mirrors the print industry, where innovation flourished online but was stifled in print.

- **The BS Factor:** Outdated slogans like "Best," "First," and "We Believe in You" no longer resonate. Audiences are savvy; they can see through empty marketing gimmicks.

- **The Sameness:** Is there an unwritten rule requiring every station to have a desk and a standard weather presenter? This uniformity is outdated and makes for easy parody.

- **Overproduction:** Many broadcasts come off as slick and overly polished, losing touch with the communities they serve.

- **Celebrating Fake:** Whether it’s contrived sincerity or artificial backdrops, the lack of authenticity is counterproductive.

- **The Barbie & Ken Factor:** While appealing looks can attract viewers, they are not the future of news.

- **Screen Clutter:** Important visuals are often obscured by anchors, graphics, and text, detracting from the story’s impact.

- **TV Sound:** Overly dramatic sound effects can detract from the content, creating a disconnect.

- **TV-ization:** Every idea should not be filtered through the traditional TV production lens, which often leads to more of the same.

- **Balance:** The structure of TV newsrooms hasn’t evolved, even as the world has changed. It’s time to liberate creative minds from the outdated TV news playbook.

- **Celebrating Shallowness:** The tendency to dumb down content is a disservice to viewers.

- **Story Selection:** The criteria for selecting stories often fails to reflect the community's interests, resulting in disconnection.

- **Being Bold:** Some networks, like Fox, are unafraid to express strong opinions.

- **Wording:** Outdated phrases like “Don’t miss…” and “We’ll be right back…” come across as insincere.

- **Clichés:** A culture rife with clichés makes for uninspired content; creativity should be prioritized.

Incremental changes will not suffice; bold actions are necessary to capture attention. Minor tweaks will not make a lasting impact.

Some common clichés in local news include:

- Similar looks among newscasters, with a predictable mix of anchors.

- Repetitive slogans like "Eyewitness" or "Action."

- An overabundance of crime and disaster coverage.

- Uniform intro music and newscast formats.

- Generic website designs and layouts.

- Annoyingly scripted banter that lacks authenticity.

- Outdated journalistic language that grows stale daily.

- Homogeneous set designs and presentation styles.

The industry needs to break free from these constraints. We are living in a new Information Age, and it’s crucial to embrace innovation. It’s time to transform how information is delivered and perceived.