The
American Society of Newspaper Editors is planning to remove "paper"
from its name and expand its membership to include editors of
online-only news Web sites and journalism educators. (see the release)
Of course, this isn't the first time that a professional society has changed its name in response to changing technology. An example I'm particularly familiar with is the association that began life in 1943 as the "National Microfilm Association" or "NMA." In 1969, in response to a broadening in the technologies used by its members, the association changed its name to the "National Micrographics Association." Then in 1983, as the NMA's members began to focus more and more on digital, non-image data, the association changed its name to "Association of Information and Image Management." Apparently, the association is once again in the process of changing its name. In the future, they will be known as the "Enterprise Content Management Association."
Had the NMA insisted on sticking to the old "microfilm" name, it surely would have closed its doors years ago. Certainly, it could not have been seen to be working in the interests of its members... Each time the old "NMA" changed its name, it was in recognition that the scope and range of opportunities for its members had grown. I'm sure many in the newspaper business will see the loss of "paper" in the ASNE name to be a loss for the industry. Hopefully, they will learn, as have the members of the NMA, that this kind of name changing is a good thing -- a very good thing.
bob wyman
I think being nonsensicaly to remove "paper" from its name. No will be any major response.
Posted by: Temerin | February 02, 2009 at 16:45
Bob,
This is off-topic to your blog, but I couldn't find your email anywhere to contact you directly. And I didn't want to sign up with 2idi. I have enough logins/accounts, scattered across the web, as it is ;-)
But a few people are having a discussion on Daniel Tunkelang's blog about the Jeff Jarvis talk last night. I'd like to invite you to join us.
http://thenoisychannel.com/2009/02/05/what-would-google-do-what-does-google-do/
Posted by: jeremy | February 06, 2009 at 16:36
Hi Bob,
Lost touch when my facebook page became non-accessible to me. They don't know why, so opened a new account with my husband's name. Trying to let you know about efforts to gather some Mitchell Hall folk for our reunion weekend Oct 3,4,5th in DC.
Please email me via your email.Look for Richard Bissell on facebook.TX Susan :)
Posted by: Susan Flashman | September 20, 2009 at 19:48