Journalism = Community = Democracy
The Internet is creating unprecedented levels of interaction between citizens and journalists -- from blogs to forums -- even to the point of citizens becoming journalists. This is a fantastic development for the future of journalism and democracy.
But there are still skeptics out there. To all those who doubt the importance of interacting with readers, know that historically creating community has always been a key element of journalism, and thus of democracy.
"News" is previously unknown information. But journalism is much more than that. In "The Elements of Journalism," Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel write, "The primary purpose of journalism is to provide citizens with the information they need to be free and self-governing."
Columbia University journalism professor James Carey has suggested in his writings that journalism simply means carrying on and amplifying the conversation of the people.
"This definition has held so consistent through history, and proven so deeply ingrained in the thinking of those who produce news through the ages, that it is in little doubt," Kovach and Rosenstiel say.
"It is difficult, in looking back, even to separate the concept of journalism from the concept of creating community and later democracy. Journalism is so fundamental to that purpose that … societies that want to suppress freedom must first suppress the press. They do not, interestingly, have to suppress capitalism. At its best… journalism reflects a subtle understanding of how citizens behave, an understanding that we call the Theory of the Interlocking Public."
If you try to separate journalism from community and democracy… Well, then, it may be news, but it's not journalism.
— Jonathan Dube
Oct 15, 2004 | E-MAIL | SAVE | PRINT
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4 comments about 'Journalism = Community = Democracy'This thesis is fairly obvious and easy to all nod our heads to. The more difficult equation is disintermediated journalism + no business model = no paid journalists. Focus on the business model, or enjoy being among the unemployed bloggers of the world.
Posted by Andy Warhol at October 22, 2004 2:02 PM
"The primary purpose of journalism is to provide citizens with the information they need to be free and self-governing."
That would presumably include information, before initiating war, on whether or not it's a good idea.
The adequacy of pre-war press coverage is one of the most significant questions about U.S. journalism today. Unfortunately, the debate about this question has itself been seriously inadequate. See Pre-War News Coverage: Defective Criticism at http://urielw.com/massing.htm .
Posted by Uriel Wittenberg at October 28, 2004 8:34 AM
To what degree is democracy an ideal and to what degree is it a value?
Posted by Alex Martinette at April 17, 2005 12:10 AM
its right think
Posted by amar at January 28, 2008 8:14 AM
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1 Weblogs reference 'Journalism = Community = Democracy' Jornalismo = comunidade = democraciaTrackback excerpt: Nos dias que correm parece-me apropriado citar uma breve reflexão de Jonathan Dube no Ciberjournalist.net - esta - onde se defende a ideia de que o jornalismo é, na sua essência, a apresentação e a amplificação das conversas e assuntos... [Read More]
Posted on Atrium at October 8, 2004 3:11 PM
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