I received an email yesterday asking if my Tweet about Media USA dropping the AP Wire was an April Fools joke. It seems an AP editor in Texas was upset over the news that a media company was dropping the wire service. I had no reason not to believe the news: it was posted at Poytner Online, but I didn’t call Media USA seeking confirmation. It was just a bit of news and I passed it on. However, the reaction from the AP Editor shows that traditional media is smarting from the changes rippling through the newspaper industry.

Today, local newspaper editor Thomas Mitchell continued with his engaging series “Information Wants to Be Free, Reporters Want to Be Paid,” which has been looking at the state of the newspaper industry and how to pull newspaper companies out of the tar pit before they die like the dinosaurs. Mitchell’s questions and links to others also pondering the dilemma facing traditional media have been insightful. His blog posts are even more so in light of news Stephens Media may purchase the Austin American-Statesman. If you’re wondering how a Las Vegas newspaper company might change news coverage in the Lone Star’s capital city, then you’re going to want to follow Mitchell’s blog.

Mitchell takes Jeff Jarvis to task for his view on newspapers focusing on local news and forming networks to share content. Essentially, Jarvis suggests newspapers need to become hyper-local, focus on the things they do best and report on those issues affecting their communities. Mitchell argues that newspapers are still the easiest format to browse and that people will eventually remember that.

There still is no place in most cities where advertisers can reach as many potential customers, the Internet is simply too vast, too cluttered. The newspaper is still the most convenient news outlet, the fastest browser available, if you will.

Maybe, if done right. But Jarvis’ point is that everyone can already get the national news almost the moment it happens. Fast breaking news appears on Twitter before the journalists have time to confirm it. The wire appears on Google. If all the local newspaper offers is a reprint of the wire services the next morning, then I have no interest in spending two quarters to purchase old news.

My take? When I can get the AP wire on my phone immediately, there is no need for Mitchell to print the wire the next morning. Abandon the reliance on the wire to fill the pages. Move back toward covering the neighborhoods and communities where you deliver your paper. Focus on news about me, or at least, what I’m interested in. Use your web resources to email me when a story appears with my name, or when a story appears that interests me. I will sign up for this.

Dump the old financial news – focus on the local. And why not tell us your newspaper is focused more on the local community? Remind us. Otherwise, we think all you’re covering is old news that I probably saw on Google or watched on TV the night before.

Photo Credit:  MoToMo