Journalism and new media /

Pavlik, a journalism professor, offers a comprehensive look at "the convergence of telecommunications, computing and traditional media." Pavlik sees new technology transforming journalism in fundamental ways not seen since the invention of the printing press. He details technical changes, including the digital newsroom, and cultural changes, including providing readers with more in-depth background material and allowing greater reader interactivity. Pavlik outlines the challenges of new technology, from credibility issues to the blurring of the line between news and advertising. He points to the distinguishing qualities of emerging trends in journalism enhanced by new technology: ubiquitous and instantaneous news, global information access, interactivity, and customization. The popularity and wide use of the Internet as an information source as well as technological advancements in the delivery of video and audio have transformed the relationships between news organizations, journalists, the public, advertisers, and regulators. This is an absorbing and highly informative look at how news gathering is changing, and it will appeal to journalists and journalism students as well as news readers and watchers. --Vanessa Bush

Collins's latest builds on his successful Built To Last, which looked at how companies developed. Now he asks the key question: can a good company achieve great results and sustain them over time? With a research team, Collins spent several years doing complex analysis of Fortune 500 companies, coming up with 11 firms that pass his stringent criteria (among them Abbott Labs, Philip Morris, Pitney Bowes, and Wells Fargo). All are publicly owned and trade in the United States, and all, Collins stresses, had the "right people" in leadership positions. Collins says that "much of the book is about creating a culture of discipline" discipline in people, in thought, and in action. The author goes into almost exhausting detail describing his research methodology, though it might have been more interesting had he included more of the actual interviews he and his colleagues conducted with CEOs and company executives. Furthermore, Collins's research ended in 1995 and that some of the 11 companies he cites have not been faring as well since. Still, Collins skillfully makes his case. Recommended for all business collections. Richard Drezen, Washington Post, New York City Bureau (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Adult/High School-An energetic, stimulating, and optimistic look at "the potential transformation of news content in a digital age." Describing new technological capabilities and considering how they can be used to report news, Pavlik asks, "-will it be a better journalism?" The perspective here is wide-ranging, incorporating many aspects of journalism such as storytelling techniques, ethics, business, education, and reader interactivity. In the finest journalistic style, the author conveys a complex array of information in a clear, entertaining, and nontechnical manner that's sure to engage and please many readers. He reports on early research indicating that younger audiences "value the diversity of news perspectives made available via the Internet"; through familiar news stories such as Waco and the JFK assassination, he challenges readers to compare traditional and Internet styles and capabilities in reporting them. Chapters such as "A Reporter's Field Guide to the Internet," "Newsroom for the New Age," and "Job Prospects in Online Journalism" will be of particular interest to teens. Whether they're considering careers in this field or are interested in computers, YAs couldn't find a better guide to today's and tomorrow's news than this.-Christine C. Menefee, Fairfax County Public Library, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.