By: Politico

Michele Norris may call herself “just a gal who talks on the radio,” but the National Public Radio host has much to say about the technological changes in journalism that continue to shape America’s news consumption and political perspectives.

The co-host of NPR’s “All Things Considered” spoke Thursday evening at the AT&T Executive Education and Converence Center ballroom about press coverage during the election season. The School of Journalism hosted the event as part of the Mary Alice Davis Distinguished Lectureship in Journalism.

Norris said new communication technology, such as cell phones and the Internet, has revolutionized the reporting process, now a far cry from her old days of searching for pay phones in drug-ridden ganglands. Now, reporters can talk to sources without seeing their faces, and readers find news online before opening newspapers.

“The Internet has changed how we gather information,” Norris said. “But I don’t know if that makes us better informed.”

She said America has entered an era of unfiltered information, or “viral journalism,” in which stories catch fire on the Internet before mainstream news organizations pick them up.

Norris likened the American consumption of free-floating news tidbits, generally from online sources, to “snacking on Cheetos” — saving little appetite for more in-depth analysis.

“The new technology that has arrived will be integrated,” said associate journalism professor Gene Burd. “Print is not going to disappear, but it is being forced to take a secondary role.”

As with journalism, the American political system saw upheavals, with the press often inaccurately forecasting events.

Only two years ago, the media said young voters “talked a good game but never showed up,” Hillary Rodham Clinton was the “inevitable” winner, Obama was “too inexperienced” and McCain was a “maverick” but was facing a tough challenge from Mitt Romney, Norris said.

“Viral journalism shapes people’s political views because it gives them access to stories not found in the mainstream,” Norris said. “YouTube is a powerful tool. Videos by the candidates show people different aspects about the candidate.”

Norris referenced singer will.i.am’s music video “Yes We Can,” which features celebrities singing praise for then-candidate Barack Obama.

With the election, young people were energized, and many who had drifted away from politics returned to the process, Norris said.

Despite the despair felt by many Republicans, she said the party may emerge as an even stronger force after its November defeat. Norris said the first 60 days in Obama’s presidency will set a critical tone as Americans anxiously turn their attention to health care, the foreclosure crisis and government bailouts.

Priscilla Totiyapungprasert reports for the Daily Texan, a student publication at the University of Texas. The Daily Texan is partnering with Campus Politico for the 2008 elections.

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