The Convergence Continuum: A Model for Studying Collaboration Between Media Newsrooms

Abstract

This article offers a conceptual framework for filling a void in the research on convergence and for extending research into gatekeeping and diffusion of innovation. It offers the convergence continuum as a dynamic model that defines news convergence as a series of behavior-based activities illustrating the interaction and cooperation stages of staff members at newspapers, television stations, and Web organizations with news partnerships. The continuum's components provide media professionals with a better understanding of an evolutionary trend in their industry as they develop cross-media alliances. This article makes no attempt to quantify convergence efforts or any of the theories and concepts that inform the efforts; instead, it is an attempt to develop the conceptual and empirical tools needed to conduct such studies.