In New Orleans, where there is also lots of talk about rebuilding, there are seven broadcast stations. As of a few days ago only three were back on the air. No one at the Federal Communications Commission seems to know how many of their radio stations are broadcasting. But this is a case of the dog that didn’t bark: There has been no pressure from—or on – the FCC to get emergency generators to the broadcasters or to pressure the license holders to get back in business. No one seems to give a….
On the other hand, in interview and account after interview of interview and account we hear about the concerns of the citizens of New Orleans: When will cell service be restored? Where can I get online to find the Web sites that can help me connect with dispersed family members or to learn about what services are being offered by whom?
Meanwhile, the local daily, the Times-Picayune whose plant was out of commission, was reduced to publishing totally online for several days. Putting aside the revenue model, this turned out to be not much of an issue either given the circumstances, as there was—and is still -- no one left in New Orleans. The internet, on the other hand, was perfect for the newspaper to be available to the New Orleans Diaspora from Baton Rouge to Boston.
So what’s the point? As an information medium, people wanted the Internet more than they wanted the old time television channels. Online publishing was more robust than a waning manufacturing process.
While efforts to rebuild New Orleans are on the front burner, how consumers in the area affected by Katrina prioritized their media needs should provide some fresh insights into rebuilding media.
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