Posted on 07/08/2020 9:03:15 AM PDT by rintintin
Journalism is just one of the industries hard-hit by the economic fallout from the pandemic. While we reimagine journalism’s structures and funding models, what role might the government play in intervening to support the role of a functioning press—not just someday, but now?
In a new report published by the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at the University of North Carolina, Penny Abernathy—a collaborator on our Cutback Tracker project—underlines the stakes. Since 2005, more than a quarter of the country’s newspapers have disappeared. In the same fifteen-year span, the number of local journalists working in newsrooms has dropped by half. She describes the covid-related recession as a watershed moment. “The choices we make in 2020–as citizens, policymakers and industry leaders–will determine the future of the local news landscape,” Abernathy writes.
In the report, Dana Miller Ervin dives into some of the proposed policies for government intervention in the crisis, noting an attitude shift on Capitol Hill. “Before the pandemic, journalism was seen as a pet interest on the Hill,” Ervin quotes Viktorya Vilk, of advocacy group PEN America, saying. “That perception has shifted now. We’re finally at a moment when conversations [about assistance] are absolutely happening.” Still, the November election presents a time crunch; if interventions don’t happen soon, Ervin warns, they’ll likely have to wait until January or beyond.
Stimulus payments and loans provide one option for intervention, though distribution can be inconsistent and flawed. In late March, Craig Aaron, president and co-CEO of Press Action, wrote for CJR in favor of a Congressional stimulus for journalism. “Now is the time to act,” Aaron wrote. “We need significant public investments in all corners of the economy, and journalism is no exception.” Soon after, the CARES Act was signed into law, with some stimulus money made available to a
(Excerpt) Read more at cjr.org ...
I heard that CNN viewership has exploded 40% this year due to COVID 19.
Car wrecks, fires and drug dealer shenanigans.... that’s the news.
Does any body actually give a damn.
Obituaries, sports and grocery ads keep the local papers alive
I don’t know, but Tucker has spawned a new news and commentary delivery style. Saagar has his intonations down perfectly. (Saagar’s producer however still has aome work to do in chunking the text down to five-word sentences that a third grader could follow.)
If the corrupt news media you know.... told the truth and gave the who, what, where, when and why they would not have the problems they do as the internet has many sites that do accurately report a story.
Agree that not all did anything to expose corruption then, either.
There is a recent DVD set release for the old show Deadline. It was about true case stories of news reporters who risked their lives to go undercover or challenge thugs for information and then printed it.
Show says it was when reporters were heroes. As if saying when dinosaurs ruled the earth.
Based on a study of the University of Narcissist Commies in the People’s Republic if Crapple Hill?
No thanks.
We’re not. A bunch of self-important journ-o-lists who realize they are on the verge having to man Burger King drive-thrus to pay the rent are. (you don’t expect them to get REAL jobs now, do you?)
I am offended at your disgust of burger-flippers not being a REAL job. But then again your butler and maid shouldn’t think they have a REAL job either considering on who they are servicing. What no maid, no butler? Get a REAL job!
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