Roy Peter Clark, vice president and senior scholar here at Poynter, got people's attention last week when he wrote a column urging journalists and citizens to read the newspaper to help save journalism. He argues that we must support the print-on-paper work of the editors and reporters, designers and more who cover wars and statehouses, stories near and far. I'm wondering how you, as future journalists and citizens, feel.
Is it your duty to read a newspaper?
Read here the beginning of Clark's column, then follow the link to
read the whole thing and the more than 75 comments, pro and con. Clark writes:
One of the great autobiographies of the last 2,000 years is "The
Confessions of St. Augustine." It's a work that must be taken
seriously because its author offers such a full and candid description
of his own human weaknesses. One chapter begins: "I wish to bring back
to mind my past foulness and the carnal corruptions of my soul." It is
in that spirit that I confess that I don't spend as much time as I used
to reading the newspaper -- any newspaper.
I'm making a promise
to myself, and now to you, to reverse this trend. The future of
journalism, not just newspapers, depends upon such loyalty. And now I
pose this challenge to you: It is your duty as a journalist and a
citizen to read the newspaper -- emphasis on paper, not pixels.
Clark continues:
Until we create some new business models in support of the journalism
profession, we've got to support what we have, even as we create and
perfect online versions that may one day attract the advertising
dollars and other revenues we need to do what we do well.
Could make an interesting debate in journalism class, around the lunch or dinner table or in a college application essay....
