UK: A case against multimedia convergence

Posted by Rory Satran on October 18, 2006 at 11:36 AM

Richard Addis, former editor of the Daily Express, thinks convergence is just a fad. Writing in the Independent, Addis reflects on the state of convergence in British media as highlighted by the Daily Telegraph’s recent upheaval, including its new online-savvy editor. Of the two big ideas floating around, convergence and citizen journalism, Addis believes that only the latter will stick around.

Addis understands how convergence came to be a hot-button issue. However, he believes the idea was blown out of proportion by media consultants eager to capitalize on newspapers’ fears.

Addis’s reasons why convergence is nothing but a fad:

Every type of journalism has its own complex skill system. Print skills do not translate well to other media, and vice versa.
Convergence results in the worst type of journalism, watered-down commoditised news. According to Addis, the reader wants “insight, wit, personality, and attitude,” but “that is precisely what dies first on the multimedia spokes.”
The industry places too much value on journalists who can work in all media. People who can do one thing well are more efficient.

Addis has some excellent points, particularly regarding the public’s wish for more substantial and unique journalism. But there must be some way to resolve the race to convergence with a return to classic journalistic principles.

Source: Independent

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