Good News, Bad News: Special Edition for September 9, 2024. With 57 days left until Election Day we need political coverage that uplifts and defends democracy.
As an elected and appointed official over the years,for many official over the years, I have witnessed the decline in the print media industry and the uncontrolled acceleration of growth and reliance on social media for news. Also, as a former radio talkshow host for a brief period of time, I’ve noticed inability to deal with lies and polarization in today’s climate —partly due to social media. Thus, I agree that “Democracy’s Survival Requires That Newsrooms Reset to Focus on What’s at Stake. “. I continue to argue that democracy survival requires that newsrooms and journalism schools reset to focus on what is at stake. Without changes in schools, training and professional standards, we will have accelerated decline
In my opinion, the first rule of journalism in America is this: Your job as a reporter, opinion writer, editor, etc., is to help your employer maximize shareholder value. In 2024, your employer decided that electing Trump is the best way to achieve that goal. You have a choice to make: You can help your employer get Trump elected, or you can go find something else to do somewhere else. Everything else in a newsroom is predicated to you choosing to do what your employer asks you to do.
How about factual?
As an elected and appointed official over the years,for many official over the years, I have witnessed the decline in the print media industry and the uncontrolled acceleration of growth and reliance on social media for news. Also, as a former radio talkshow host for a brief period of time, I’ve noticed inability to deal with lies and polarization in today’s climate —partly due to social media. Thus, I agree that “Democracy’s Survival Requires That Newsrooms Reset to Focus on What’s at Stake. “. I continue to argue that democracy survival requires that newsrooms and journalism schools reset to focus on what is at stake. Without changes in schools, training and professional standards, we will have accelerated decline
Is it an inability to deal with lies or just not insisting on facts? Thanks for your input on schools, etc.
Journalism is the search for truth in real time.
Investigating, discovering, and publishing the truth!
In my opinion, the first rule of journalism in America is this: Your job as a reporter, opinion writer, editor, etc., is to help your employer maximize shareholder value. In 2024, your employer decided that electing Trump is the best way to achieve that goal. You have a choice to make: You can help your employer get Trump elected, or you can go find something else to do somewhere else. Everything else in a newsroom is predicated to you choosing to do what your employer asks you to do.
This is quite the frame, Walter!