New York: The Internet has profoundly changed journalism, but not necessarily in ways that were predicted even a few years ago, a study on the industry has found.

It was believed at one point that the internet would democratise the media, offering many new voices, stories and perspectives. Yet the news agenda actually seems to be narrowing, with many websites primarily packaging news that is produced elsewhere, according to the Project for Excellence in Journalism's Annual State of the News Media report.

Two stories, The war in Iraq and The 2008 presidential election campaign, represented more than a quarter of the stories in newspapers, on television and online last year, the project found.

Take away Iraq, Iran and Pakistan and news from all of the other countries in the world combined filled up less than six per cent of the American newshole, the report released yesterday said.

The news side of the business is dynamic, but the growing ability of news consumers to find what they want without being distracted by advertising is what's making the industry go through some tough times.

"Although the audience for traditional news is maintaining itself, the staff for any of these news organisations tend to be shrinking," said Tom Rosenstiel, the project's director.

Recent decision of NBC News to make David Gregory host of a nightly programme on MSNBC while keeping his job as White House correspondent is an example of how people are being asked to do much more, he said.
Source : PTI