However, the infrastructure of "old media" is much more reliable than the infrastructure for the more popular 2-way communication systems that people advocate as alternatives (namely the cell network and the internet).

Radio and TV broadcast infrastructure is comparatively simple and has a proven track record. How frequently do minor emergencies cause cell networks to fail? How frequently are all the radio stations in town knocked off the air? In an absolute, worst-case scenario, AM broadcasts would probably the easiest thing to sustain. And they would reach enough people that the information would be disseminated.

Last night, I found out about Joe Paterno several minutes before I got any news alerts on my phone. Why? My roommate happened to be watching ESPN at the time and came and told me about it. News doesn't need total initial exposure to be widely spread.