Journalism going way of Edsel

By Dick Miller

WE.CONNECT.DOTS: There is no more nobler purpose than journalism. Reporters gather facts into an orderly format designed to inform readers about something they need to know.

Futurists write of the death of newspapers, perhaps in another two or three decades. The belief that a story doesn’t have full impact until the reader sees it in print is no longer relevant.

Newspaper publishers lessen the quality of journalism because, they claim, businesses no longer spend as much advertising with them. Internet social media, targeted mailings, TV and other methods compete for effectiveness, either in impressions per dollar or outright sales results.

But that’s not the entire story.

Many of the new generation care less about local news and depend on television and the internet to follow state, national and international happenings. Too many don’t give a damn, challenge the truthfulness or are convinced the government and multi-nationals manipulate happenings…

For over a half-century Columbia graduate school of journalism has published Columbia Journalism Review for professional journalists once monthly. The magazine now prints every other month. CJR has also cut staff and budget due to lack of interest in both the subject and the profession.

Passion for the profession peaked in the late 70s after Watergate. Youngsters flocked to journalism schools, hoping to enjoy the fame of Woodward and Bernstein. Interest remained high into the 80s and early 90s as publications looked for writers with expertise. A journalism degree was not enough. Large publications wanted writers with business, science, finance and government degrees.

Today CJR is foretelling the death of journalism.

The first story in the July-August edition, entitled “Opening Shot,” is an example.

“On May 30, the entire photo staff of the Chicago Sun-Times – 28 full-time photographers (including one Pulitizer Prize winner) . . . learned they would all be laid off.” Bean counters figured quality pictorial journalism did not contribute to the bottom line. Henceforth, the newspaper would rely on free-lancers and equip the dwindling number of reporters with smart phone cameras.

The Internet’s best known job site, “CareerCast,” claims newspaper reporter is the worst job in America. The web site has down-graded the reporter occupation for years. “CareerCast” cites “high stress, tight deadlines, low pay” and lousy working conditions.

That’s not necessarily a change. Few sought wealth in journalism. Some chain smokers with high blood pressure and an olive in the glass by 4 p.m. didn’t live as long.

Decline accelerated when guys in green eyeshades developed business models based on owning as many publications as possible. The first chain to own the New Castle (PA) News supposedly paid 22 times earnings. When the chain’s purchasing power in paper, ink, national advertising and even phone systems was factored in, the price became eight times earnings.

The publisher of the local newspaper once was someone you knew, most likely the son or grandson of the founder. You saw him at the grocery store or in church. Your kid and his kid were in Little League together. Locally-owned newspapers had a soul, a personality, some character, all lacking in chain publications.

In newspaper chains the publisher often has an advertising background. He or she may lack community roots and actually be publisher of two or three papers, depending upon proximity.

Staff goes years without raises, health benefits decline. Instead of pay cuts, reporters and editors take involuntary unpaid vacations.

Urban papers shutter foreign and national bureaus. The press room at Harrisburg still has as many cubicles, but today half are occupied by internet reporters. Print and TV media in both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have reduced staff at the state capitol.

One story circulating is that the bean counters are rolling out a regional desk business model where reporters at multiple papers will take assignments. Existing editors get 72-hour ultimatums – decide whether to accept a reporter’s job and lower salary, or take a layoff.

BOTTOM LINE: Public officials are under less scrutiny today. This is one byproduct of a press that is out to lunch. Nonfeasance, misfeasance and/or malfeasance by public officials happen when the press is guilty of the same sins.