Although this may come as no surprise for alert editors and those following the transformation of newspapers, "the transformation facing journalism is epochal," the report said, "as momentous as the invention of television or the telegraph, perhaps on the order of the printing press itself."

The report describes current trends of traditional media branding themselves and becoming specialized in niche areas and local audiences. This trend can take several forms, either through the closing of foreign bureaus and focus on hyper-local coverage, or through newspapers dropping the ‘objectivity cloak’ and providing more subjective views. It could also mean that newspapers will rely more on user-generated content to provide more perspectives on news.

But "does the industry have a vision that is bold enough and does it have leaders whom journalists and audiences will follow," asks the report.

Unfortunately, report director Tom Rosenstiel also said that the newspaper industry must find a visionary leader, who will recognize current trends and develop a new economic model. While this scenario is ideal, of course, it also shows the current lack of definitive answers found by newspapers.

Source: SF Gate