The job of a journalist???

We seem to have a hard time as people balancing things. We don't want people to be rude or say things that are socially unacceptable. However, we get upset when people are too PC (politically correct). And all sorts of other complaints factor in, often resorting to stereotypes. Why do we rely so heavily on stereotypes and how, in any fashion, is anyone supposed to remain unbiased with all of the stereotypes we all carry around?

We want so much from our journalists these days - perfection really. But in so many other areas we're ok with shallow, weak, easy and cliche. Why don't we hold others to a similar standard: advertisers, businesses, teachers, etc,..... Are they all unbiased? Do we call them out when they're not? Should everyone try to do better? Should everyone try to stop relying so heavily on petty biases?

I'm not sure I have the answers. Maybe without our stereotypes, there would be more problems. I just wonder sometimes why people can get so worked up in one area and seemingly not care in others.

NY Times cuts

Today, I read this from Reuters:

The New York Times said on Monday it would cut 100 newsroom jobs through buyouts or layoffs as it tries to counter lost advertising revenue.
This is the second time in little more than a year that the Times has sought to reduce its newsroom staff. In 2008, the newspaper cut 100 newsroom jobs.
Earlier this year, it cut salaries by 5 percent.
The newspaper has 1,250 editorial employees, down from 1,330, the Times reported on its website. It said no other U.S. newspaper has more than about 750 journalists.

Bottom line, the giant in our country - and arguably the world - is struggling. I don't think it means ALL newspapers are struggling. Many smaller papers in our country are better equipped to deal with financial difficulties - less competition, less debt within the business, and more loyal local readership. However, when something like this is announced it deserves our attention as an industry.

Newspaper's role

The business of producing a newspaper is hurting in a bad way. I make no qualms about that. However, that fact is not a reflection on the important work of journalists. In many ways, I believe newspapers went too far following industry trends over the last two decades:
- Too much online (free)
- Too much pandering to what reader's "want"
Those are two examples. How can a business succeed financially when the content is offered free elsewhere? Second, who cares if readers say they want to read about American Idol and Brittany Spears updates? Journalists have long reported what reader's "need" to know - that needs to remain the emphasis for any future of newspapers.

A quote that made me think today....

"O Lord, help me not to despise or oppose what I do not understand," William Penn (1644-1718).

How often do people jump on a cause or a line of thought or believe something, simply because it fits with what they want to believe?

Newfourth Organization

The Fourth Estate is a term going back to at least the early 1800s that refers to the press. The idea is the first three estates refer to the official branches of government, with the fourth being reserved for the free press that has been called by some the most important to democracy.

With this background in mind, an ambitious friend of mine who believes as much in the future of journalism as I do recently started a new venture: Newfourth Organization. I am honored to have been asked to be involved.

Here is a synopsis from the organization's fledgling web site:

In the new media world, The Freedom of the Press won’t be reserved for those who buy ink by the barrel.That’s why The Newfourth Organization designs K-12 journalism curriculum for implementation into core language arts, social studies and mathematics classes. Our goal is simple, but could have a profound impact on America’s future: We seek to provide every American child a basic literacy in journalism, giving rise to a New Fourth Estate — a generation of Americans fully prepared to engage as producers and consumers of journalism.  

Budget is the word of the year...

The word budget is not only the word of the day - it's the word of the year and possibly the decade. I have been hearing it for years related to newspapers. Today, during faculty meetings, it came up over and over again. Newspapers may be struggling, but they're not the only ones facing difficult economic times.

It is my belief that those newspapers able to survive the times by proving clear, accurate and informative news to readers will come out of these times stronger and better prepared to serve readers. They will understand what readers want, they will have discovered how to provide it, and they will not soon forget how fragile the news industry can become when those things are taken for granted.

The words of the future are integrity and speed! 

Exciting times

The end of summer brings exciting times for me. It's a chance to begin sharing what I have observed of the newspaper industry over the last 20 years - both as a beginning reporter and now as an educator and consumer. Times are definitely changing in the newspaper industry. I find the times to be exciting. 

How about you?

PR puzzle

Public relations and the press have long been opposing forces. However, they need one another.

My question now: Is it time for the press to swallow its pride and engage in some serious public relations work to improve its image?

A few things to ponder in that regard: Is it too late for the press to recover from the damage of the last 20 years? Is there even a problem with the press as it stands? What is the future of the press in the U.S.?