http://www.deathoftime.com/2009/03/11/more-comments-on-new-communications-the-sorry-and-getting-sorrier-state-of-journalism/ Thoughts of a Communicator About a World in Transition Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:31:32 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 hourly 1 http://www.deathoftime.com/2009/03/11/more-comments-on-new-communications-the-sorry-and-getting-sorrier-state-of-journalism/comment-page-1/#comment-151 Miles Kimber Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:22:16 +0000 http://www.deathoftime.com/?p=644#comment-151 Once again, Doug, you're spot on. Especially about the herd mentality of "credentialed" journalism, with its "apriori" assertions about being essentially objective, reasonable, and rational. As we know, there is always more than two sides to every issue, etc. And of course, the shot-gun and subjective spread of information via cyberspace is heavily laden with liability when it comes to accurate assessments, reporting, and analysis. Traditional journalism needs to overcome its marketing problems of late by presenting practical, useful information. It could start by not allowing itself to be easily manipulated by political idealogues with insipid talking points. This means doing better research on background, besides employing writers/reporters that are educated, can think independently and clearly. Finding personnel to generate the reporting who possess a balanced temperament, humility, and a sense of humor will also go a long way toward rehabilitating the credibility of traditional journanlism, ie., enhancing teamwork at media outlets that honors every person's contributions, not just the anchors and editors. This may not be possible though in a culture which extols egoism and militates against loyalty, valuing fame and notoriety over all else. Once again, Doug, you’re spot on. Especially about the herd mentality of “credentialed” journalism, with its “apriori” assertions about being essentially objective, reasonable, and rational. As we know, there is always more than two sides to every issue, etc. And of course, the shot-gun and subjective spread of information via cyberspace is heavily laden with liability when it comes to accurate assessments, reporting, and analysis.
Traditional journalism needs to overcome its marketing problems of late by presenting practical, useful information. It could start by not allowing itself to be easily manipulated by political idealogues with insipid talking points. This means doing better research on background, besides employing writers/reporters that are educated, can think independently and clearly. Finding personnel to generate the reporting who possess a balanced temperament, humility, and a sense of humor will also go a long way toward rehabilitating the credibility of traditional journanlism, ie., enhancing teamwork at media outlets that honors every person’s contributions, not just the anchors and editors. This may not be possible though in a culture which extols egoism and militates against loyalty, valuing fame and notoriety over all else.

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