Journalism today

Gregory York

gy028518@ohio.edu

 

Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel in their 3^rd edition of The Elements of Journalism write that people have a need "to know what is occurring beyond their own experience, the events over the next hill." We need information to be aware of the world around us, and journalism can fulfill that need. Unfortunately, an increasing number of Americans distrust journalism as large media and news companies focus on stories that generate revenue and profits. The authors’ purpose is to explain what Americans think journalism is for and the principles that journalists should follow. 

Journalism has gone through significant changes since the 1920s with the creation of radio, television, cable television, electronic media deregulation, and digital technology. Each technology has caused journalists to adapt to compete for the attention of audiences. As it becomes more challenging to increase their audiences (and profits), some if not most journalists ignore the need to provide reliable and accurate information. Many people have moved away from television, newspapers, and other traditional formats to seek independent and reliable information from the internet and social media.

Picture source: Medium.com.

If journalists adhered to the authors’ ten elements of journalism, then I believe that they can gradually gain back their credibility as a profession. The most important element is truth. Everyone has biases. As the authors point out, journalists must follow a process that is "defensible, rigorous, and transparent." Journalists must provide information that creates community and allows people to be free and self-governing. As societies become more democratic, the more news and information its people have. The non-journalist today is able to publish their blog and  tweet their thoughts. What the professional journalist is able to do is look at things from multiple views, organize and verify the data and information, and help communities solve problems.

I do worry about the significant control that five companies have over the internet. The authors write that Google, Yahoo, Facebook, Microsoft, and AOL controlled 64% of the internet’s ad revenue in 2013. These companies have much power over people’s access to information. These companies, however, may find their control of information to be their eventual undoing.

In Chapter 10, "Journalists Have a Responsibility to Conscience", the writers describe how the New York Times sacrificed journalistic integrity while competing with the Washington Post for readers. In the early 2000s, the Times editor used poor judgment by giving a major story, the beltway sniper, to a young writer whom others had complained about. His widely praised work wasn’t questioned until an editor from the San Antonio Express recognized an article taken from his outlet and used by the young Times writer. This is a clear example how leadership influences the culture in journalism. The writers state that transparency in the workplace is most important, but that the next most important element is "Journalists have an obligation to exercise their personal conscience." 

The second half of the article contains many examples from the mid to late 1900s and early 2000s where journalists fought to publish stories that may have upset bosses or outside groups, according to their consciences. I believe with the massive amount of media outlets and access to information that people have, competition and finances drive content rather than the personal conscience of journalists. It is important for the citizen to be “more attentive and critical of information” because of the outside influences on journalistic integrity.