It's not an entirely Web world just yet but any pooh-poohing of
the Internet is officially passé. Most every day brings yet
another survey pointing to the power of the Web and why it's a
vital tool for marketing and communications firms. The latest is a
study by the Project for Excellence in Journalism showing that
while the audience for mainstream news is shrinking online news
outfits and niche publications - including those catering to ethnic
groups -- are growing. Tom Rosenstiel, director of the nonprofit
organization, said in a statement that traditional news
organizations, including newspapers and television, are locked in a
vicious cycle - with information paying the price. "As audiences
fragment, newsrooms are cut back, which further erodes public
trust." The study also found:
- Daily newspaper circulation is down 11% since 1990
- Network evening news ratings have shrunk 34% since 1993
- Viewership of cable TV news is flat since 2001