See here for a diagram of a vision for 2010 that came out of an LA Times offsite of 24 newsroom editors “to develop a three year plan for the newsroom.” As you would expect there is a focus on feedback and input from readers, customisable content, a recognition of content from professionals and amateur and a wide channel view for the future across TV, print, web and mobile. See this link for the memo sent to staff and a book/blog reading list provided to those going along.

“Rest assured that we still want to break news and do in-depth and investigative stories that matter to our readers. But we also are looking for ways to reimagine our business so that we can remain relevant for many years to come.” - LA Times Editor

When easily accessible publishing tools such as blogs and citizen journalism sites first came into existence they were very far removed from traditional publishing houses. In the last 6 -7 years they have become commonplace, in use by individuals who would not previously been able to publish their ideas, opinions and any other creative content they choose to generate. If this content is generated out of a work setting and of a person’s own initiative many claim it is because it is a created out of passion, which makes for expertise, understanding and a good read. This is how many of the leading blogs were formed and the reason they can gain such a strong and rapid readership.These tools are now also used widely by organisations, with main benefits that come to mind gains in productivity, increased ability for collaboration and the ability to have a two way conversation.

But more relevant here is that they are also used to today by “traditional” media companies, complementing (e.g. add a comment, social media tools) and in some cases replacing traditional journalism. What I thought first thought when I read the article about the LA Times offsite was how difficult it must be to accelerate change within a large media organisation. This is where pure new media companies have an edge through agility. This LA Times plan is a couple of years off (2010), when realistically technology that is hot now and integral to this roadmap plan from LA Times may will be archaic, may have evolved, maybe even totally replaced.
In my mind it would be best to run this type of “Newsroom to New media” offsite with the understanding that “remaining relevant” will always be an ongoing process, not a fixed project with an end date looked to, in this case 2010. At the offsite focus would be best set on reinforcing to the whole editing team that the fact the roadmap that they set today will quite possibly need to change daily, weekly, monthly. And that this is one of the most exciting aspects of their field.

On the journalism note this seems relevant,

“The latest gaff in online journalism comes courtesy of prominent tech blog, emphasizing once again an important point: When bloggers are under pressure to be first and fast, the journalistic process is undermined and due diligence is neglected.”

“New Media’s final hurdle for true credibility can be summed up in one word: veracity.In two words: journalistic standards.” Read the full article here