The Leiter side of life…

I think Steve Buttry is right on in his beliefs about journalism and the future of the industry.  It reminds me greatly of many things I agreed and disagreed with while studying journalism at Northeastern. I really like these points:

• "I believe we spend too much time discussing or lamenting whether the journalism that emerges from each wave of disruption is better or worse than what preceded it."

I remember many journalism professors trying to pinpoint what was wrong with new methods of journalism, i.e. blogs and their beliefs that social media platforms were going to set journalism back. Which brings me to Buttry's next point which I really like..

• "I believe nostalgia for journalism of the past interferes with practicing journalism in the present and with improving it for the future."

I am very grateful for my journalism education at Northeastern, however I do think my professors and most of my classes focused on the journalism of yesterday and focused on what was wrong with this new wave of journalism and why it would never be legit. We rarely had collaborative discussions on how we could improve and capitalize on the journalism of the future. It's hard to teach the things which you do not understand and easy to criticize those things that you fear. I also really like Buttry's beliefs in what makes a good "leader" in journalism.

• "I believe age and generation are irrelevant in selecting leaders for news organizations. Experience has value in leaders, but outlook is more important."

I think in general, that idea of "climbing the ladder" is outdated and useless in a lot of industries, journalism being one of them. As for my beliefs about journalism...well I think Steve pretty much covers them all!   I would say similarly to Steve that journalism is, in its essence, story telling and the importance of that is invaluable. Story telling is how human history is passed on, it is how our generation will be remembered. I think it's important to remain objective and not glorify our achievements and failures so that the truth may be told and recorded and that the next generation can learn from our successes and failures accurately.