Posted on 03/18/2005 4:10:49 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
The answer to that question was once easy. Until the Internet, journalists were typically attached to an established organization that could afford to own and run a newspaper, magazine, radio or TV station, TV network, or cable news outlet. Their credibility was both individual and institutional.
For all of its flaws, and despite often high entry costs, this marketplace of ideas has flourished. Journalists know that transparency and fairness in how they cover the news are critical.
But in the Internet age, the cost of distributing news has become minimal. Almost anyone can set up a web log ("blog") or send a mass e-mailing, and present themselves as someone who surveys the public scene and presents "news." Some of these lone-wolf reporters are a refreshing challenge to the usual pack journalism of old media. Reputable reporters hear the howl and see if the yapping is worth pursuing. They benefit from the range that bloggers offer.
CBS News gets blogged Some of the best-known bloggers are investigative diggers. But can they be more accurate and neutral than traditional media? The bloggers who discredited the CBS News story last fall about George W. Bush's National Guard performance show this new breed of reporter can provide a valuable service - though reliability over time is a higher standard that will ultimately separate the good from the not-so-good bloggers.
Many of the overtly political and single-issue bloggers operate without much of the same editing as the old-style media. Their "news" often carries the kind of assertive, one-sided tone too often found on the Internet.
Credentials for the credible Blog reporters raise difficulties for newsmakers, who must decide if a blogger is a legitimate journalist and then figure out what public is being served. Washington is only slowly making up its mind about bloggers.
The White House, for instance, which has remained open to credentialing many types of reporters over many presidencies, recently gave its first credential to a blogger - Garrett Graff of the blog Fishbowl D.C. On Capitol Hill, the association of correspondents covering Congress - a jury of peers - that approves credentials has admitted a number of bloggers.
For the 2004 Democratic political party convention, the party gave credentials liberally to bloggers according to their readership, originality, and "professionalism" of content."
A craft's essential skills Not everyone who simply gathers information and disseminates it can be called a journalist. The craft requires skill in finding story ideas and facts, cultivating sources, and then presenting news in a way that serves the public interest. It requires specific talents for research, interviews, and distillation of information; sifting rant from reality; and then presenting it with clarity, accuracy, speed, and relevance. In giving access to a reporter, newsmakers must be mindful of those essential skills.
This explosion of blog "news" puts more raw information before consumers, unfiltered by the clergy of the established media, who are losing their captured flock. This Protestant Reformation of news lets consumers more easily pick news sources more widely, but often without knowing who's credible.
Among traditional journalists, the checks and balances of editing generally produce credible news. Many bloggers, however, are directly accountable to no one. They may not always abide by basic rules of journalism. They often have no experienced editor questioning their reasoning and sourcing. Perhaps a new brand of bloggers will emerge who commit themselves to a code of standards, helped along by newsmakers who screen them carefully.
Sifting power of the news market Ultimately, news consumers will bestow credence to these new outlets of information - or not - though in the blogging world the ability to continue publishing can exist without much audience or economic underpinning.
Most Americans still prefer accurate and unbiased news, which enables them to make up their own minds about public affairs and to act on the news as responsive citizens. Many may not believe journalists can be unbiased or even try to be. But neutrality and accuracy remain the gold standard for most readers, and quality journalists know it.
As blog reporters prove their worth, they should expand and mature. Old media, meanwhile, are quickly creating their own audience on the Internet. They can learn from bloggers as well as be a model for them.
MSM more often serves their LIBERAL political interests.
Speaking as one who wrote tons of ad copy, and did some writing for hire ( magazine articles, mostly, in the eighties ) I've always maintained that journalism isn't rocket science, or even Engineering.
I believe almost any reasonably literate and intelligent person can learn how to write an acceptable news article based on the classic five "W's" of reporting.
In the old days, many reporters walked a beat, like a cop, and learned on the job, and from more experienced writers, and in my opinion were better off because of that.
Nowadays, far too many "journalists" go from one protected environment to another- school, college, then a big corporation- without much real-world experience.
You're so right.
The same thing can be said for "educators."
And don't forget if you are a female journalist and land a job on tv you must be a sexy blonde.
Learn from them? On what not to do, anyway.
They should have to take a test and be licensed, just like about all the rest of us.
Absolutely- my late, favorite Uncle, Tom taught for decades at the University in Athens, Ohio... and as I recall,he started with only a BA some "non-educational" field. Although he worked up to full Professorship by taking advanced courses much later in life, the simple fact was that he had the gift, and a willingness, to teach. Like artistic abilities, some people are just born with a gift.
I realize this is exceedingly Un-PC to acknowledge, but TV is a visual medium, and a requirement for women in non-character actor parts is "would the average guy like to toss her around in bed?"
[ Nomex suit ON... ]
Bingo, smart lady..I noticed the same phrase immediately..and I challenge the author to define, let alone explain, "public interest"
Many of the overtly political and single-issue bloggers operate without much of the same editing as the old-style media.
Exactly. "Editing", indeed.
Their "news" often carries the kind of assertive, one-sided tone too often found on the Internet.
Or in the New York Times editorial pages...
Among traditional journalists, the checks and balances of editing generally produce credible news.
Generally, that is, keeping in mind the spectacular failures of recent months.
Many bloggers, however, are directly accountable to no one. They may not always abide by basic rules of journalism.
*cough* *Rather* *cough*
They often have no experienced editor questioning their reasoning and sourcing.
Or forcing them to follow "the company line", uber alles.
bookmark
At least teachers have to pass a minimal competency test to teach in public schools, and have to have a college degree. Not so "journalists."
Wow, so if little girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice, and little boys are made of snakes, snails and puppy dog tails, what are journalists made of?
Not sure, but I sure wouldnt step in it, whatever it is.
As a professional journalist, I have license...It's called the First Ammendment.
Which ones - Wonkette and the nutburger behind the Daily Kos?
Here's one former journalist who agrees with you---saw it first-hand. I'd even go further and suggest that most journalists nowadays, esp. print journalists, come from families with money or connections, because there's no way in hell most people starting out can make due on a reporter's salary alone ($13-14K when I was starting out). Hell, my editor worked part-time selling jeans at a mall.
A dumb engineering student.. -or- a law student that likes to tell the truth.. -or- a medical student that passes out when seeing blood.. -or- a leftist that wants to promote slavery by government..
LOL
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