If you needed proof that traditional news outlets are in competition with thousands of Internet sources, consider the first report of the untimely death of Tim Russert.   No, it wasn't his own network - NBC - or any other traditional broadcast or cable news outlet.

Beating the pack by a full 36 minutes was Wikipedia!   That's right - the controversial site written and edited by anonymous sources - beat the venerable Associated Press by over half an hour.  Wikipedia had the news 38 minutes before NBC told the world.

In fact, there were eight edits on the Wikipedia site before NBC could get Tom Brokaw to their studios and on the air.  The web site NewsBlues reports that NBC in that time tried and failed to get a satellite feed from Brian Williams who was in Afghanistan.  CNN apparently waited out of courtesy for NBC to break the news first about its longtime employee.

The big takeaway in all of this is that broadcasters need to quit glancing over their shoulders at their traditional competitors - and just think about serving their viewers quickly and efficiently.   You're competitive world is now a universe.

By the way, NewsBlues reports that Wikipedia briefly had the wrong date for Russert's death - listing it as June 14th instead of the 13th.  Therein lies the danger of citizen journalism - checks and balances still need to be in place.  This is especially true in a world where viewers are concerned about inaccuracy in the news media.

Jim