Spring Break
Congressman: Demise of old media mostly for better
Associated Press
Issue date: 3/3/09 Section: News
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Rep. Jared Polis made the remarks last weekend at a Denver event sponsored by Netroots Nation, a progressive political group. The News published its last edition Friday.
"I have to say, that when we say, 'Who killed the Rocky Mountain News?' we are all part of that, we truly are. For better or worse, and I argue that it's mostly for better," Polis said.
"Media is dead, and long live new media, which is all of you," he said.
Polis also said at the event that bloggers and citizen journalists carry a new responsibility since they're part of the reason for the demise of other news outlets.
"We can't just kill it and walk away," he said. "It's important for all of us to reach out to some of those ... on the other side and present the progressive point of view," he said.
John Temple, the former publisher and editor of the News, called Polis' remarks misguided and said they were an example of the congressman's poor judgment.
"The Rocky Mountain News was a pioneer in citizen journalism . . . and is an award-winning Internet newspaper," Temple said.
Later, Polis tempered his remarks, telling The Denver Post on Monday that the closure of the News cost 200 jobs and silenced a voice in the state.
"The rise of new media and citizen journalism has hastened the demise of many newspapers, and we, unfortunately, all share in the blame," Polis said.
A Polis spokeswoman did not immediately return a call seeking comment Tuesday.
Polis was elected to his first term in November. An online entrepreneur, he made a fortune selling greeting cards and flowers on the Internet.
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On the Net:
Polis' comments: http://netrootsnation.org/node/1086
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.
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