Charlotte Hall, senior vice president and editor of the Orlando Sentinel since 2004, has been recognized for boosting diversity in newsrooms. This week, as newspaper editors and executives meet in Washington, she will begin her one-year term as president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors.

QWith advertising revenue and newspaper circulation numbers falling, many newspapers are laying off staff and cutting expenses. Are newspapers really dying, or is there still hope?

ANewspapers are not dying; they are changing, and their business model is under great stress. There is a spirit of innovation, risk-taking and speed afoot in newspaper companies. Together, our newspapers, Web sites and targeted products reach more people than ever. People want credible news and information, and we need to deliver it in different formats when, how and where they want it.

QGiven the downsizing and reorganizing of newsrooms around the country, do you see a decline in the quality of coverage by daily newspapers or in the papers’ ability to deploy reporters to cover major stories?

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AFewer papers are able to cover national and international stories. Most papers, except the very largest, are concentrating on doing what they do best and what distinguishes them from the big media: local news. This means localizing the big national stories. So, for example, we will cover intensively Florida’s role in the national election rather than travel the country with the candidates.

QWhat do you think newspapers and newspaper Web sites will look like 10 years from now?

AI believe newspapers will be reborn, probably in different formats. Some will be free, some will cost more; new formats will emerge; many will tell stories in new ways and include readers’ voices prominently. Many Web sites too will move away from the classic newspaper.com model and become more specialized, and most “newspapers” will have multiple Web sites and other digital services. We’re talking months here, not a decade — that’s how fast we’re moving. Still, the values of integrity, verification and our watchdog role will endure and must endure. Our credibility will be our greatest asset.

QShould newspapers remain a mass medium, offering something for everyone, or should they specialize more and focus on niche publications and digital products?

AIt’s hard to give up the idea of a mass medium — the great tent where the community gathers to get to know one another and air issues. But in truth, it’s already happened in most cities. The newspaper is read by the elites — better-educated and wealthier than the community as a whole. Readers are also much older and less diverse ethnically, and we need to work hard to change that if newspapers are to have long-term viability. The big tent may become several largish tents and a bunch of pup tents.