Tips on creating a news team

I think Melissa Ludtke's idea of news being a "germ" is a helpful way to think about online media. The whole idea that a news story is a growing, living thing that goes through a cycle and is passed from reader to reader is crucial to understanding how to harness a readership. In some of my classes we've discussed the idea that a news story, due to online media, is a never ending process. It no longer is finished because online readers can constantly read it, comment on it and add to its content. Media outlets that understand this will be able to utilize the numerous "clickers" and "eye balls." In my news team I would use this information to create a user-friendly comment option that would allow a story to grow and spread like a "germ."
In Mark Brigg's article I at first had a hard time understanding what he meant by "Markets are conversations," but then he talked about news being a "conversation" and that seemed to connect more with me. Like the idea of a germ, creating a media site that allows readers to take part in that "conversation" is key in gaining back the trust journalism has lost according to Briggs. I completely agree with the idea that a relative, local blog is more affective than a giant corporate news site and have even toyed with the idea of starting one in my own small community. "Social capital" is a good way to look at it in terms of gaining back the trust of the readers by being more transparent and willing to listen to what they want to read about. Launching a niche site as suggested is also a successful way to maximize a target audience for advertisers. I also have to agree, though, with the student who felt this idea felt more like business school than journalism. I understand, that sadly, journalism must be thought of as a business in order for it to survive.
In Vivian Vahlberg's article I was happy to read that other young people felt the same as I do. I've always felt a little out of place when teachers and classmates talk about "new media." I use the Internet to get my news but still use only traditional site because that is who I trust, and I think watching video online most time is a waste of time. I think the idea of "too much" is interesting and it would be a good suggestion to any media organization I would be creating. Keeping a site mainstream, stories short and not too much text all over the place would increase young readership among those not as news savy.
In Edward Roussel's article I thought the idea of "plug into a network" could be a useful one. Many Gannet papers, including the Ithaca Journal are using this practice to beef up their Web sites by tapping into stories posted by larger Gannett papers. Most of the other ideas I covered in the content above, but it is also important to remember his advice about having people who run the ship so to speak, be on board (I love all those cliches in one sentence!) with online media.
Katie King brings up twittering and how useful it is. I have to agree, just recently I joined the constant updating network, and I think news organzations should use it more often. I like how she mentions the fight between bloggers and journalists. I think that in order for a online media outlet to be successful journalists must become bloggers -- all of them.
In the final article I think the most important thing I could apply to my Web site is personalization. As it points out, GoogleNews has already figured out how to allow readers to make their own news sites, this is something that could be succcessful.