As you may have noticed, the economic models that sustained traditional media are in serious trouble. The technology is now available to publish and communicate ideas much more cheaply.
Nicolas Lemann argues that the vital work of keeping citizens informed about how and what their government does and how their society actually functions (how would you achieve this second goal, anyways…through compulsory education?) is always necessary, and can be explored further by journalism schools like his at Columbia.
“Journalism schools not only can replace the original reporting capability that news organizations have lost, but also can raise the level of sophistication in the practice of journalism. “
A new curriculum can be forged out of the current circumstances that can be a win-win for journalism students and the communities they live within:
“Like teaching hospitals, journalism schools can provide essential services to their communities while they are educating their students.”
That could work…at least he’s thinking on his feet.
Also On This Site: Bill Virgin says newspapers built up their value, and slowly let it die: From The Seattle Post-Intelligencer Via Sound Politics: Why Did The PI Die?..Who Reads The Newspapers?…
Two previous two posts which might have some links of interest: From The New Yorker: Malcolm Gladwell’s “Priced To Sell”…From The Becker-Posner Blog: The Future Of Newspapers.
