Spring Break
Bollocks, journalism just isn't dead
J. David McSwane
Issue date: 2/23/09 Section: Opinion
Within the industry and beyond, there's been much talk about the future of journalism -- or lack thereof. It's scary for those studying it, painful for those forced to leave their once robust profession and a sad reality for the public that appreciates journalism.
But I'm not here to scare you.
I personally find a great deal of the conversation in journals, news articles and in the classroom to be little more than masturbatory self-assurance, but as the newspaper I grew up with faces extinction, I am compelled to join.
The Rocky Mountain News is set to be shut down as a consequence of dwindling classifieds and print ads and the emergence of the Internet, which robs journalists and organizations of compensation for work and public service. And journalism, in its purest form, is a public service.
These pre-existing hardships have been further compounded by a growing economic recession, which has journalists across the country gripping to the presses, terrified that the fourth estate -- the mechanism with which citizens hold the branches of government accountable in the court of public opinion -- might become an ideal of antiquity.
Oh, and local TV news is in trouble, too. And while I wholeheartedly believe a diversity of news sources promotes self-regulation and is a vital toehold for the democratic process, local TV could use a little purging. Case and point: Tom Martino and Leland Vittert of Denver's KDVR.
Still, I don't buy it. I don't see a journalistic dark age upon us, though things will undoubtedly be changing and challenging. I do, however, see the death of journalism as a capitalist venture ahead and the Rupert Murdochs of the world becoming their own undoing.
The giant infrastructure that was American news media is crumbling. And it might just be the best damn thing that ever happened to journalism.
At least the true believers know what they are up against, and those folks are the vanguard in redefining the industry to once again understand its primitive, unadulterated roots: To seek truth in the public interest and keep the powers-that-be accountable.
But I'm not here to scare you.
I personally find a great deal of the conversation in journals, news articles and in the classroom to be little more than masturbatory self-assurance, but as the newspaper I grew up with faces extinction, I am compelled to join.
The Rocky Mountain News is set to be shut down as a consequence of dwindling classifieds and print ads and the emergence of the Internet, which robs journalists and organizations of compensation for work and public service. And journalism, in its purest form, is a public service.
These pre-existing hardships have been further compounded by a growing economic recession, which has journalists across the country gripping to the presses, terrified that the fourth estate -- the mechanism with which citizens hold the branches of government accountable in the court of public opinion -- might become an ideal of antiquity.
Oh, and local TV news is in trouble, too. And while I wholeheartedly believe a diversity of news sources promotes self-regulation and is a vital toehold for the democratic process, local TV could use a little purging. Case and point: Tom Martino and Leland Vittert of Denver's KDVR.
Still, I don't buy it. I don't see a journalistic dark age upon us, though things will undoubtedly be changing and challenging. I do, however, see the death of journalism as a capitalist venture ahead and the Rupert Murdochs of the world becoming their own undoing.
The giant infrastructure that was American news media is crumbling. And it might just be the best damn thing that ever happened to journalism.
At least the true believers know what they are up against, and those folks are the vanguard in redefining the industry to once again understand its primitive, unadulterated roots: To seek truth in the public interest and keep the powers-that-be accountable.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
jimmy
posted 2/23/09 @ 8:17 AM MST
John Martino a journalist....yes!
McSwane? ....... absolutely not.
How does F*** Bush equal journalism.......it doesn't.
Are journalists public servants? Maybe Martino, but McSwane is not. (Continued…)
Colo_Native
Colo_Native
posted 2/23/09 @ 2:20 PM MST
The departing of The Rocky Mountain News is nothing new - it is called free market. If there is no market for something it goes away. The expansion of alternative methods of distributing the news is also not new - think radio in the 1930's and TV in the 1950's. (Continued…)
Mark
posted 2/23/09 @ 5:45 PM MST
Jimmy,
You still haven't gotten over that? It's been over a year! Drop it! Yes, McSwane said the big F-word to one of the worst presidents this country has ever had. (Continued…)
CSU Grad
posted 2/25/09 @ 1:49 PM MST
There are no real journalists left in this country, and there haven't been for over several decades!
When was the last time a journalist covered, or was allowed to cover, a story, just because it would benefit "the people"? uh. (Continued…)
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