The Surprisingly Wide Field of Journalism

Dan Gillmor came in today to talk about journalism.  I loved his view on the history of journalism from the printing presses to the telegraph through radio and television, and now on to media 3.0.  I definitely want to check out that book, The Victorian Internet.

However, more interesting is his take on the changing nature of journalism.  I honestly hadn't thought about groups like Human Rights Watch or the American Civil Liberties as journalists; however, he made the argument that they are engaged in a form of watchdog journalism, albeit a rather one-sided form.

He even argued that Wikileaks deserved journalistic protections.

"AND, not OR," Gillmor flashed across the screen as he talked about traditional media (newspapers) and new media (blogging).  He would blog about his stories, bringing both together.  He discussed traditional media inviting readers in for collaboration by having them search a government budget looking for abuses or mark potholes on city streets.

I see the same message when I look at the posting board on the second floor of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.  There are internships for businesses and media outlets and nonprofits.

One take-away I've had during these two weeks is that journalism is thriving in ways I didn't know.  Three weeks ago, I had a much more limited understanding of what it meant to be a journalist.

Another take-away is that I need to check the AP book to check "take-away"

Lyn Cannaday
Greenway High School
Phoenix, AZ