tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925159454233299738.post5183585571011474047..comments2011-05-12T10:15:18.338-07:00Comments on The Academic Editor: Growing New Revenue Sourcesmike sweeneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01924439344464418417noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925159454233299738.post-82916231960551612392008-05-01T13:26:00.000-07:002008-05-01T13:26:00.000-07:00Mike:I'm wondering if the reluctance to invest in ...Mike:<BR/><BR/>I'm wondering if the reluctance to invest in journalism education might have something to do with the malaise of disillusionment that has pervaded the public's attitude toward the news media. Put simply, our readers and viewers don't trust us. <BR/><BR/>The <I>Columbia Journalism Review</I>, quoting the <A HREF="http://www.cjr.org/the_research_report/who_hates_the_press.php" REL="nofollow">findings of a new study</A> last year, reported that "for the heaviest consumers of the news (the more educated, the better-off, older respondents),...familiarity with the news product breeds a lack of confidence (if not contempt) with the press as an institution." <BR/><BR/>Why bequeath even a small fortune to a treacherous estate? <BR/><BR/>Moreover, the corporatization of the press has worsened this crisis of image. In their book, <I>The Elements of Journalism</I>, veteran journalists Bill Kovach and Tom Rosensteil describe what they view as the nine cardinal tenets of the business. Among these: an obligation to the truth, loyalty to readers and a responsibility to "maintain an independence" from sources while serving as autonomous monitors of power. <BR/><BR/>Corporate ownership casts a dark shadow on these functions. Consider, for example, the tough line adopted by the Tribune Co.'s Sam Zell, who chastised an <I>Orlando Sentinel</I> photographer for worrying about her newspaper's public service mission. NPR <A HREF="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89446846" REL="nofollow">reported last month</A> that Zell "derided the photographer's 'journalistic arrogance' — and then cursed at her when she turned to leave." <BR/><BR/>My point is that it's becoming increasingly hard to do good journalism. And this trend is contributing in no small measure to the public's distrust of the institution. <BR/><BR/>One consequence of this is the emergence of the Do-It-Yourself citizen journalist, who takes to the Internet with no formal training and discovers that he too can be a scribe. With the proliferation of blogs, journalism – once a somewhat elite and scholarly endeavor – is now a more pedestrian pursuit. And although a fine and cheering thing for democracy, it tends to take away from the seriousness of the enterprise, while also affecting the perception of journalism as a legitimate academic discipline. <BR/><BR/>In my view, the way forward should involve a massive campaign to restore the public's trust in our profession.Cryptic Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06176648599126289953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925159454233299738.post-6407733902654479202008-04-06T06:36:00.000-07:002008-04-06T06:36:00.000-07:00And hence we learn to limp along with otherwise an...And hence we learn to limp along with otherwise antiquated equipment, fending off the security mavens who cringe at the thought that we might still be using obsolete systems, long after their nominal retirement date.Moultonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14800784950094043498noreply@blogger.com