Renovating the Fourth Estate
The Internet (Abridged)
Clint Fullen
Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Opinion
This edition of the Traveler represents the ending of an era.
Newspaper printers are cooling off for good. Thousands have lost their jobs. Most of all, the Internet is once again flaunting its magnificent power to shape industry.
Journalism is dashing through an age of metamorphosis.
Years from now, the word "newspaper" might carry an archaic meaning. Our distinguished sources of information might rest in the same realm of thought as Laserdiscs.
Perhaps, "newspaper" will simply be the moniker offered to Web sites that essentially accomplish the same tasks.
Whatever happens, as consumers we need to ensure that we continue to support legitimate news organizations - real journalists.
Don't get me wrong. Blogs are fun. Admittedly, I read a few, myself.
There is something extremely refreshing about reading an opinion site that has the ability to address public figures by nicknames. That goes double if they throw in some roughly "photoshopped" editorial cartoon.
However, these destinations should be only looked upon for their entertainment value.
I understand the top of this page reads "Opinion." I know that very often columns and editorials achieve the same results as blogs, but what I am promoting is genuine news.
Americans need to hear from an objective voice. Print journalism is an ambit of information where straight facts rule supreme.
This world is already filled with enough spin. The 24-hour news cycle currently fills that void.
Having a show on a cable news station does not make one a newsman.
I would never assume this about you (of course, as you are an intelligent character who enjoys reading my column), but there are people in this world who actually believe Sean Hannity is a journalist.
Mutter all you want about today's "liberal media," but by comparing the current press with party-run papers of the past, even Arianna Huffington would seem impartial.
It is indecent for individuals to base opinions solely on the beliefs of others. People should take pride in the information that they acquire and the sources from which that information originates.
The newspaper might be endangered, but it doesn't mean the newspaper isn't doing its job.
True journalists will always be out there.
In the future, teenagers may mock us for our outdated preference for these oversized sheets of data. They'll ridicule us for the risk of paper cuts and ink-smudged fingers.
In the end, we'll just have to explain to them that the newspaper was the most accurate and informed tool of information we had at the time. Then shortly after, we'll try to describe what Social Security used to be.
Be cautious of the places from which you receive facts. Challenge yourself as a consumer. Take pride in the things you know for certain. These are your responsibilities as a decision-making adult. More depends on your beliefs than you realize.
Then again, what do I know? I just write an opinion column.
Clint Fullen is a columnist for The Arkansas Traveler. This is his final column.
Newspaper printers are cooling off for good. Thousands have lost their jobs. Most of all, the Internet is once again flaunting its magnificent power to shape industry.
Journalism is dashing through an age of metamorphosis.
Years from now, the word "newspaper" might carry an archaic meaning. Our distinguished sources of information might rest in the same realm of thought as Laserdiscs.
Perhaps, "newspaper" will simply be the moniker offered to Web sites that essentially accomplish the same tasks.
Whatever happens, as consumers we need to ensure that we continue to support legitimate news organizations - real journalists.
Don't get me wrong. Blogs are fun. Admittedly, I read a few, myself.
There is something extremely refreshing about reading an opinion site that has the ability to address public figures by nicknames. That goes double if they throw in some roughly "photoshopped" editorial cartoon.
However, these destinations should be only looked upon for their entertainment value.
I understand the top of this page reads "Opinion." I know that very often columns and editorials achieve the same results as blogs, but what I am promoting is genuine news.
Americans need to hear from an objective voice. Print journalism is an ambit of information where straight facts rule supreme.
This world is already filled with enough spin. The 24-hour news cycle currently fills that void.
Having a show on a cable news station does not make one a newsman.
I would never assume this about you (of course, as you are an intelligent character who enjoys reading my column), but there are people in this world who actually believe Sean Hannity is a journalist.
Mutter all you want about today's "liberal media," but by comparing the current press with party-run papers of the past, even Arianna Huffington would seem impartial.
It is indecent for individuals to base opinions solely on the beliefs of others. People should take pride in the information that they acquire and the sources from which that information originates.
The newspaper might be endangered, but it doesn't mean the newspaper isn't doing its job.
True journalists will always be out there.
In the future, teenagers may mock us for our outdated preference for these oversized sheets of data. They'll ridicule us for the risk of paper cuts and ink-smudged fingers.
In the end, we'll just have to explain to them that the newspaper was the most accurate and informed tool of information we had at the time. Then shortly after, we'll try to describe what Social Security used to be.
Be cautious of the places from which you receive facts. Challenge yourself as a consumer. Take pride in the things you know for certain. These are your responsibilities as a decision-making adult. More depends on your beliefs than you realize.
Then again, what do I know? I just write an opinion column.
Clint Fullen is a columnist for The Arkansas Traveler. This is his final column.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Gregory Brown
posted 5/04/09 @ 1:55 PM CST
These sentiments give me hope for the future.
But bad reporters are bad reporters, regardless of the medium for which they report. For whatever reason(s) -- lack of talent, laziness, ethical/moral lapses -- bad reporting is bad reporting. (Continued…)
Timeshare Marketpro
posted 5/07/09 @ 3:57 PM CST
You know, it is very unfortunate that the journalism industry has suffered the way that it has. I do think that many journalists should have become more open to the online transition and could have put themselves in a much more lucrative position if they would have adapted. (Continued…)
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