Bangor Daily News media plans a major shift in news delivery mechanism to cope with the challenges arising from new media technology.
Bangor newspaper which has been in market for almost a century , covering mainly Central and East Maine is putting much emphasize on giving its mass audience what it needs and they way they want it.
" Our challenge has been how do we adapt as the media outlet to respond to clients' needs in a more appropriate manner," New Media Editor ....Jeff told nine visiting Tanzanian journalists at a meeting at BDN newsroom yesterday
The changes in technology necessitates the shift in products offered by mass media but nothing has changed as far as journalism is concern according to Jeff.
To adapt to clients' needs BDN has established a fully fledged new media department that serves an audience of ...in Bangor and across the boarders.
BDN attributes the shift in customers requirements to technology and time factor.
As such, the family owned company develops three different types of print version, online products.
" We give our customers news the way the want it be it in print, online or cell phones. We even tried to post audio and video clip on line,twitter, online adverts to promote the new media products," Jeff says
Apart print products, updates their clients through email and phone alerts, respond to reader's comments on line and keep track of readers' traffic.
Though mass media is perceived as more advanced and appropriate, BDN underscores the importance of print media.
According to Managing Editor Michael print media still holds a higher stake in the media sector as it provides for future reference, though the same could be provided in the online media in archives.
Highlighting some of the advantages the new media has on over the print media Tuttle Josh, the Online editor said it makes it easier to interact with customers.
" In some instances we use the comments from our readers to update, as news tips and improve our products," adds Josh
The new media has also been instrumental in boosting audience base through the development of customized products such as facebook.
With the new mass media, the print media has suffered a great blow in terms of the rate of advertisements according BDN advertising and marketing coordinator
The Tanzanian journalists were exposed to American newsroom business which they found a bit strange.
" It is unusual for senior editors such as Managing editors to carry out an assignment, and attend to project meetings," said Monica Luwondo, a program officer with Tanzania Women Media Association (TAMWA).
The visitors also expressed anxiety over the ownership of the media in America which seems to be different from that of Tanzania. " No family has ever run a newspaper such as Bangor, " said a Joyce Magoti, a reporter with Tanzania Media Solutions.
The issue of freedom of expression featured prominently in their discussion as the journalists from both parts of the world tried to examine the Government-press relations.
" There is no interference of the Government or any other such authorities in press decisions/media decisions," noted said BDN Managing Editor Michael Dowd
It apparently came to light that US media is more freer than their counterparts in Tanzania.
However, commends posted in BDN web implies that the issue of racism and other stereotyping sentiments dominates the US media, the Mainers in particular.
The readers categorically expressed concern over the coverage of minority communities in Maine
The exchange program funded by the US Government through its United States Aid Development Agency (USAID) serves as the forum for media from both countries to exchange experiences on issues of Good Governance, Democracy and AIDS.
The project is carried out for second time consecutively. Last year six Tanzanian journalists participated in the programs.
Maine has the circulation rate of over 55,000 copies a day. It has a network in Central and East Maine.
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