This week I attended the Journalism That Matters conference in Washington, DC. Although it was an unconference in which the attendees created and led their own sessions in place of the typical panel discussions, it kicked off with a expert led discussion about how new media and citizen involvement threatens the traditional mainstream news business model. As one of the experts explained, medium to large newspapers are considering eliminating their Tuesday edition. The tone was set, this wasn’t a meeting without weight behind it.

Noted throughout the gathering was the fact that the business model has the bleak prognosis, not the craft. Further, many of the traditional journalists — some of whom were at the confab — are panicking about the citizens encroaching on their professional turf. However, some of these journos were able to see a silver lining to the declining corporate business model. In fact, at the closing session one of the veteran journalists said that the craft is not only doing well but in a renaissance. I agree.

As the Internet with its blogs, podcasts, and photo sharing venues has lowered the barrier to collecting and disseminating information, many people who lack journalistic credentials and job titles are actively participating in the Fourth Estate, albeit with a different twist. While many reporters once hoped to follow Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s example of single handily taking on The Man — sword in hand — with their audience applauding in the background, some news junkies now want to brandish swords, battle axes, and lances as well.

Further, plenty of people are upset at the press for echoing the drumbeat to invade Iraq and are questioning the government and news media now, but journalists should view this as promising. People actually care about the truth — the journo’s ultimate pursuit. Granted, this is threatening but in a good way.

Moreover, isn’t imitation the greatest form of flattery? Many bloggers, podcasters, and photographers want to report what’s happening in their world to others, just like reporters, photojournalists, and columnists. This is true if they’re questioning every move the Democrats in Congress make or covering the Brie beat for their group blog for foodies. In fact, some even do series on caring for their Alzheimer’s stricken parent or training for a marathon.

Niches are great. Journalism occurs in all of virtually all of them; all you need to do is visit the magazine racks of your local Border’s or Barnes & Noble. How many magazines are there? Plenty.

Some journos fret about how citizen journalists fails to filter out opinion and skim on fact checking. Those are valid critiques. However, didn’t the American newspapers start out as publications printed by political organizations vying for the public’s support? Also, why don’t journalists fact check the “weekend journalist” since they question them?

Hopefully, most of the Journalism That Matters attendees realize that the dreariness there surrounds the business model, not the craft.