What News Matters? Depends On Who Is Reading

Brian Fuller’s always interesting Greeley’s Ghost site has picked up on a discussion begun in a Washington Post op-ed last week.  The original piece, Brian’s commentary and links are worth a read to anyone working in and around journalism. To add one more thought train, look at this review of the roots of the American free press by Steve Boriss, a professor at Washington University of St. Louis.  Among many points, he reminds us that “unbiased” journalism has a relatively short history.  And while my Latin is pretty much non-existent, remember that caveat emptor has always applied to what we choose to read.  Large news organizations that have the will and the resources to pursue enterprise/investigative stories very likely will fade.  Let’s just hope that individuals can find a way to pick up the slack to create journalism that fulfills the goals of the founding fathers.