At the annual meeting of the Colorado Press Association, Gov. John Hickenlooper proclaimed Colorado Journalism Week, April 16-22.
According to industry research, about 85% of what could be called “accountability journalism” is produced by newspapers. Much of what is discussed on free social media channels originates from newspaper stories.
Journalism is a foundation of a free, democratic society, something our Founding Fathers realized when they enshrined it into our Constitution through the Bill of Rights. Journalists have long been relied on to report and investigate the news. In what we hope is not really a “post-truth,” “post-fact” era, journalism is more important than ever.
While once quality, verifiable media served to provide readers, viewers and listeners with fact-based information, new forms of media are proliferating. Many of these — nearly all of which are free — are opinion-based and use facts selectively. Some may provide essential commentary; others a venue for people who feel their voices are not heeded; but almost none provide verifiable, fact-based journalism. Indeed, some serve as the echo chambers in which the post-factual, post-truth information thrives. You get what you pay for.
As the hashtag goes, #NewsMatters, and quality news requires resources. To produce a story about how Jewish teens feel about gun violence, takes expertise. To produce an interview with a former diplomat to the Middle East requires research and background knowledge.
The rapidly changing media landscape is the challenge facing journalism. Newspapers, television and radio will and must adapt by utilizing some of the free media available, as well as incorporating into their own products new technologies and story-telling methods. Yet, newspapers, television and radio will survive because society is realizing just how essential they are.
“There is no such thing as a free lunch.” Quality journalism is not free and free media channels come with a cost. As Lisa Schlichtman, our colleague at Steamboat Pilot & Today, succinctly put it: “News is not free, but it’s worth every penny.”
Copyright © 2018 by the Intermountain Jewish News
