A report done recently by Columbia University shows the path where Journalism is headed. Personally when I think of news I can automatically smell a newspaper. I know you probably think I'm weird now, but oh well. When you have a fresh, new bundle of newspapers they smell kind of funny. I do not know exactly how to put it.
The report was very informative about the evolvement of journalism and very detailed about where they plan on taking it. I’m kind of on the fence about it though. I’m not exactly sure which way to take it. I feel there seem to be more cons than pros in my opinion. But I am just one person.
It seems as though Journalism is headed into a different direction. That of web browsing, easy accessible, now, and FREE news. That's what everyone wants right? Free things. I learned differently in Economics. TINSTAAFL; There is no such thing as a free lunch. That's completely true. However, people can get anything on the Internet now a days, what not the news too?
According to the report the government would be helping bail out the newspapers. There have already been numerous bailout plans that have been put into effect that I do not necessarily agree with. Giving money to people who know exactly how they got there and know how to return is not what I would call a smart idea. Yes, I care strongly about the news and the media, but I feel that if the government does bail out the newspapers they will most definitely have control over stories being printed.
I do not know about you, but that definitely violates my freedom of speech, and my freedom of speech is something I value. Also, who is the government to say who deserve money and who does not? Is not the point of Journalism to deliver the news of what is going on to the public? As long as this is being provided are the newspapers and web sites all in it together for the greater good, or at least we would hope.
I do not complain about the news being online, and I agree that it is way easier to get a hold of than driving to the store, and picking up the paper for what a nickel? Okay.. maybe not a nickel, but the Internet makes it seem a lot more convenient, for the more modernization of what our nation has become.
Yes, I realize that times are changing and sooner or later there will no longer be printed news. But I believe that we should enjoy every little printed story while it lasts. I hope that it will last quite a long time. There are people out there who slave away, working to find that next huge story. People do not realize how much reporters are really putting into the stories that are printed in the newspaper. Everyone has to have the newest toy out there and they need to have it NOW! I feel that people take for granted what they are given.
However, this whole modernization business is not really a great positive. Test scores are going down and this generation is not as literate as the generations before it. Text messaging and other forms of communications that dumb down the level of literacy, and it’s no wonder that everyone wants things to be done for them. Open up an Internet browser and you can find anything you could possibly dream about within a matter of minutes, if not seconds.
Do me a favor, go pick up a newspaper and read. :)
http://www.minnpost.com/insideminnpost/2009/10/19/12627/a_modest_proposal_for_federal_funding_of_journalism# http://www.journalism.columbia.edu/cs/ContentServer/jrn/1212611716674/page/1212611716651/JRNSimplePage2.htm
Post for: JRN 215
