Media as conversation --not lecture.

The more you read Dan Gillmor, journalist-blogger-author who has forced the mainstream media to take a hard look at their business model, the more you realize he is way ahead of his time.

Gillmor, interviewed by my friend and PR Blogger Jeremy Pepper says here that his Grassroots Journalism project may cause some soul searching:

"The chief way I hope it changes mass media is to move the whole of media to more of a conversation, and less of a lecture. That would be an incredible and wonderful outcome."

I must have been out of my mind --probably infected with this idea-- when I told my company today that a newsletter I have been editing, is practically doomed unless we start thinking of it as a convesation, not a lecture. Having worked on several newsletters, for different organizations, I have seen people shudder at the thought that 'news' can be actually provided from their readers!

To get back to Gillmor, he thinks the mix of citizen journalism and mainstream media would be a healthy eco system bubbling with more choices. His book, by the way, is titled Grassroots Journalism By the People, For the People."

Comments

[john cass]

Angelo,

How can we have a conversation with our customers?

Hmmm...a few ideas, you go out and ask them questions, then research and answer the question in your newsletter. You ask the customer to write the newsletter. Well not really, you interview your customer asking them what they like about your company and how you can improve. Then when you publish your newsletter, we make sure you have made the improvements.

Other ideas?