the debate continues re role of journalists

This from Jason Brown

Hi Vivien, thanks for your feedback on my comment. If I may clarify, I’m not suggesting that journalists abandon their role as observers. ‘Let the reader decide’ remains paramount in our day-to-day activities, as you rightly explain. At current rates of loss, however, the example of the United States provides pause for thought. From a high of 59,000 journalists in 1990, US newsrooms are now down to about 39,000 – indicating the closure of the last newsroom in about 2050. Similar situations exist worldwide. For another example, I recently asked Cuenta de la Asociación de la Prensa de Madrid (1895) about their job losses after the Global Financial Crisis, which they place at about 50 per cent.   The future? Given that radio remains the leading source of information for most people, worldwide, and that according to Pew Institute studies radio (and TV) get a lot of news from newspapers, and that newspaper newsrooms are the main centres of loss, we are already facing significant loss of governance information. “The crises or restrictions on reporting and freedom of expression come from the existing political authorities in respective countries.” Yes, absolutely. Which is why I am suggesting that journalists need to step beyond their observer role when it comes to their own affairs. To advocate, lobby and campaign for greater resources, and independence. “All the journalist can do is to continue to report and show the reality of situations.” Respectfully, I disagree. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. The alternative is facing an eventual silence of the lambs led to slaughter. We are the Fourth Estate, and we are far too important to leave our future to those who despise us, and our mission. Or a disenfranchised electorate (if it exists at all) with no power or money to support this estate, or, indeed, the Fifth Estate. So, trying to bridge the gap between our two viewpoints, what about approaches such as those suggested by the Solutions Journalism Network? That reporting solutions does not overstep journalistic boundaries when approached in the same manner as problems – objectively, ethically and quoting evidence from best practice and worldwide examples? For example, newspapers in Asia are a lot healthier, financially, than those in western societies. What are they doing different that could be learned from? Yes, they have problems with ethics, such as envelope journalism (e.g. India), and state censorship (e.g. China).  I would be most interested in your views on this, and from anyone else pondering #4thestate futures. . . .