Columbia University (Wikimedia Commons)
This week was a jackpot in terms of acquiring a comprehensive background voice for this topic of news profit models and shrinking papers. I found a story by former WaPo Chief Editor Leonard Downie Jr. and Columbia University’s Michael Schuson, called “Finding a new model for news reporting” from October 19. By the second graf I was engaged and knew the topic of my next blog post, as the authors write:
“American society must now take some collective responsibility for supporting news reporting — as society has, at much greater expense, for public education, health care, scientific advancement and cultural preservation, through varying combinations of philanthropy, subsidy and government policy. It may not be essential to save or promote any particular news medium, including print newspapers. What is paramount is preserving independent, original, credible reporting, whether or not it is profitable, and regardless of the medium in which it appears.”
“DITTO!!!” was the sound everyone in my apartment building could hear at 8 p.m. Thursday night. Finally, I found someone who combined all of my thoughts and cumulative theories from classes and everyday rhetoric between other J students… But there has to be a catch, right? Downie and Schudson couldn’t have possibly solved the newspaper crisis in two online WaPo pages, could they??
Well, it turns out, no –even they are human.
BUT, as I soon found out, the purpose of the article was to point us to an extensive report in the Columbia Journalism Review called “The Reconstruction of American Journalism.”
“IGOR, THEY HAVE DONE IT!!!!!”
This was the second exclamation barreled through the ear drums of my neighbors Thursday night. Of course, since many of you reading this probably haven’t heard of the report, the ideas set forth are not likely to be as potent as I’d hoped. Nonetheless, I have found much of it to be worthwhile and in-depth in terms of research and relevant anecdotes.
Readers take note, the report is 17 pages long, and can seem more analytical than prescriptive at times, so come equipped with a Snickers and a caramel macchiato. Honestly, as I’m posting this, I have only brought myself to bear 5 pages of this somewhat gloomy assessment. That said, I will lend you this tasty morsel:
“The questions that this transformation raises are simple enough: What is going to take the place of what is being lost, and can the new array of news media report on our nation and our communities as well as—or better than—journalism has until now? More importantly—and the issue central to this report—what should be done to shape this new landscape, to help assure that the essential elements of independent, original, and credible news reporting are preserved?”
All in all, I think it is worthwhile to publish reports like this. They are the proverbial “pep talks” for journalists with ten plus years of work in their (hopeful) future. I hope to find more optimistic selections as I continue through the report, and will keep you updated on any recent developments, so to say.
Just as I was getting all confident in the future of journalism, I decided to read The Reconstruction of American Journalsim… At least we are all learning the correct skills (website, audio, video) but how is it going to work as a non-profit industry?
Everyone is so used to free content – and that is great — but if people want fair, independent and credible reporting, we will all have to pay for it. Covering complex stories requires a lot of investment.
I perused Huffington Post and agree with Ben that it’s not the best website to navigate – but on the up side, if HP is so successful on something that looks like a Wordpress site from our class – hey, we’re ahead of the game!
By the way Brian – great website, great layout! I really enjoyed exploring it.
Im depressed…
Thank you
Edwas