Jarvis' Press Sphere

The “press sphere” is Jeff Jarvis’ way of explaining the difference in news-gathering today as opposed to previously. Jarvis first explains “the way things were” – that the public was essentially dependent on the press in order to be informed. Because the public has almost infinitely more access to information, Jarvis asserts that it would make logical sense that the public would then receive the news differently.

As opposed to the press, which the public was dependent on, the public now uses the “press sphere.” This “press sphere” describes the sum of various sources that “add up a story.” Jarvis also mentions how news is often obtained via one’s peers, and this coincides with our class’ findings about how my generation receives the news. By saying this, Jarvis is implicitly stating that news and information are self-perpetuating. Essentially, if more people are informed about the news, they can tell more people, allowing for them to now tell more people, and so on. As information becomes more easily accessible, it is an interesting thought to consider that this accessibility would create more of a reliance on one’s peers for information.

Jarvis also suggests an idea of a never-ending news process. I’m not completely sure of how he came to the conclusion that our new news system will never end. One of the comments on the article mentions how after 20/20 hindsight is available for a story it is no longer news, it then becomes history. Because there are so many different avenues for gathering information and for public discourse it is not a stretch to say that journalism will change. I wish Jarvis’ article expanded more on potential ramifications for these changes, as opposed to simply provided neat charts that describe them.