I think there will have to be some personnel change. Some people will never change, and the caustic culture in newsrooms is killing the industry. Some change is needed.

Innovation is a cultural thing. It has to start from the top. Workers cannot be constantly overworked — and underpaid — and expected to innovate. Newsrooms need more staffers and better staffers. Newsrooms need managers who will allow their workers to spend some time each day innovating and just researching and thinking, instead of constantly working on content that is killing the industry.

A culture of innovation starts from the top. How many newspaper publishers and owners would you say are innovative and risk takers? Almost none.

That needs to change.

The only issue I’d challenge is whether journalists etc who were around before web culture really arrived can experiment and become successful.

I’d say definitely yes!

It’s not about age, it’s about willingness. I’d rather have a retirement age journalist who is driven and wants to try new things, than a 20-year-old who couldn’t care less about online, and just wants their name in print.

We’re in a Catch 22 at the moment, where one company really needs to take the leap and make it hugely successful to finally make the others wake up.

Here’s how I’ve tried to explain it to friends:

Take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly, and try another. But by all means, try something. – FDR

It’s time to stop whining and start trying.