By a journalism student at UW-Madison:

As industry experts continue the debate over which direction journalism will head in the future, it is good to see some news organizations being pro active and at least trying to create new approaches to make newspapers more financially viable. An AP article about the LA Times highlights how the newspaper has retooled itself. The LA Times' new model is actually one that our J401 class discussed within the last week.
The LA Times decided that it was reorganizing its newsroom into a round-the-clock operation, transforming its web edition into its breaking news center while offering expanded, analytical coverage in its print addition. According to the AP article, the print version would focus on editorials, features, investigative reporting and trend stories, while the web will offer multimedia options and up-to-the-minute information.
I personally think this is a great model for all newspapers to follow. Most newspapers simply publish the exact same information in print and online, while actually offering more multimedia and interactive material online. Why wouldn't a reader then choose to simply read online then? They get more information, and they are not missing anything they would find in print.
In order for newspapers to remain viable, they must be open to these new approaches, and they must let go of the archaic ways of the old days. It is sad to see traditional print journalism change, but print must change if it ever wants to survive. My last blog entry focused on print media finding its niche. In my opinion, this is it.
The Internet's obvious advantage is that it is instantaneous. People look to the Internet for quick snippets of information. Newspaper will never be able to compete with that. Between TV, radio, and the Internet, they have breaking news covered.
In-depth analysis, investigative pieces, and follow-ups are a perfect fit for print though. People don't want to sit and stare at a computer screen for a long time to read long stories, they want that in their hands, like a book. Newspapers were originally built to be in-depth anyway. It is time to go back to print's roots, analyze its strengths in comparison to other forms of media, and like the article says. "Break it on the web, expand on it in print."