Newspaper industry must embrace Internet, new technology

Published 12:20 pm Monday, July 6, 2009

One of the perks of being publisher of The Clanton Advertiser is having the opportunity to work with bright young journalists who enjoy working in the newspaper/communications industry.

Seeing their enthusiasm in covering and writing the news for you to read, reminds me why people in my chosen profession are suspected of having ink in their blood. Considering how the newspaper industry has embraced the Internet, today’s young journalists may have less ink and more cybertext in their blood.

For example, our new managing editor, Justin Averette has created and is publishing the Advertiser’s E-mail newsletter Tuesday through Saturday. The news letter puts the most current news of Chilton County only a click away in the emails of nearly 2,000 residents.

The Advertiser News E-mail is way cool. And it is free. If you want to have it sent to your e-mail, send an e-mail to stephen.dawkins@clantonadvertiser.com.

Justin, Stephen, Joelle Motes and Scott Mims, our editorial staff, manage our Web site, Facebook and Twitter pages and the news e-mail with ease.

These young journalists are using the World Wide Web to send the news in our daily newspaper instantaneously to thousands who depend on the Internet for their daily news report.

Just like it was when I was 16 years old and was amazed at how lead type, ink and a flatbed press could produce a newspaper, I am excited about my future in the newspaper industry.

I only hope there will always be smart, young journalists to lead me into the ever changing world of the Internet.