Pew Journalism Study Shows Trends & Optimism

The latest Pew Research Center's 11th annual survey on the state of journalism in the U.S. says,

"In many ways, 2013 and early 2014 brought a level of energy to the news industry not seen for a long time. Even as
challenges of the past several years continue and new ones emerge, the activities this year have created a new sense of optimism – or perhaps hope – for the future of American journalism."

An overview of the extensive study found these trends:

1. "Thirty of the largest digital-only news organizations account for about 3,000 jobs and one area of investment is global coverage. 
2. "So far, the impact of new money flowing into the industry may be more about fostering new ways of reporting and reaching audience than about building a new, sustainable revenue structure. 
3. "Social and mobile developments are doing more than bringing consumers into the process – they are also changing the dynamics of the process itself. New survey data find that half of social network users share or repost news stories, images or videos.  
4. "New ways of storytelling bring both promise and challenge. One area of expansion in 2013 was online news video. 
5. "Local television, which reaches about nine in ten U.S. adults, experienced massive change in 2013, change that stayed under the radar of most. Nearly 300 full-power local TV stations changed hands in 2013 at a price of more than $8 billion. 
6. "Dramatic changes under way in the makeup of the American population will undoubtedly have an impact on news in the U.S, and in one of the fastest growing demographic groups – Hispanics – we are already seeing shifts." 

Get the details here.