The News is Alive and Well, Jim Lehrer Says So
I was fortunate enough to attend the 25th Annual Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism luncheon last Friday. The award was given to two news legends, Jim Lehrer and Robert MacNeil. The event was well done. A who’s who of local Phoenix movers and shakers were present to rub elbows, network and listen intently as MacNeil/Lehrer's wisdom was bestowed upon an attentive crowd. Both men delivered impressive speeches, chalk full of insights gained through storied careers. But it was Jim Lehrer who challenged the crowd to think about the current state of “the news.” He discussed the fact that though reports have traditional news outlets dwindling as readership levels fall and viewers succumb to alternate methods such as blogs and cable television talk shows, fear not, the news is not dead! Not only did Lehrer point out that the news is not dead, he reminded the audience that the news can not die. Without responsible journalists, reporting the news, bloggers would have nothing to blog about; TV talk shows would have nothing to joke about, there would be no context for the satire in our lives. Just think how un-funny SNL would have been this season if you didn’t have any actual news reports to provide context to Tina Fey’s Sarah Palin impersonation? Jim says reporters report and others commentate. Jim says the news isn’t dead and it can’t die. I really liked Jim, he gave a great speech. I was a journalism major myself and admit that I got caught up in his enthusiasm. I mean if Jim Lehrer says that the news is alive and well, it must be! The luncheon ended. The buzz started to wear off, so too did my excitement. So I get it Jim, we need the news. Only problem is, other people don’t seem to be on board with that idea. Readership is down. Layoffs are happening at newsrooms around the country. Junior level staffers are replacing seasoned vets which has dire consequences for the end product, the news! Since the news is so critical, why do we seem to place so little value on it, and what can we do to ensure that it does stay alive and well?
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5 comments so far
Rosa says:
There is a large amount of credibility and reputation that is required to deliver the news, so it will be hard for the established players to fade. I think the media will always continue to evolve and these online sources, such as blogs, will simply mirror the actual news that’s reported by traditional outlets such as newspapers and TV newscasts. I don't know if there is anything we can or need to do, since reader/viewership will naturally determine the changes needed to ensure the public comes back to not only get the news, but be entertained as well.
Sara Wachter-Boettcher says:
As a PBS-loving dork, I'm not usually one to disagree with the venerable Mr. Lehrer. But my question for Jim is, what are we supposed to do about it?
Yes, bloggers are siphoning readership from the same news outlets they rely on to get their stories. Yes, those bloggers need the "real news" to do this.
But here's the rub: What plan are the news outlets prepared to put into place that would bring cash back around to the pubs that research and report the news in the first place?
It's a tough question, but if the traditional media don't figure it out soon, it's not just newsrooms that will suffer. All of us will.
A Bailout for Journalists? It’s no $700B, But… | Mighty Interactive says:
[...] Jim Lehrer can promise that the news ain’t dead, but it’s hard to argue that it’s not losing blood. With layoffs at pubs from the New York Times and glossy mags down to every little small-town tattler, it’s clear that journalism isn’t making the shift to digital without some hefty losses –- and that something’s gotta be done. [...]
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