It’s been a rough year for traditional journalism, all things considered. Financial infirmity has led to widespread layoffs, buyouts, and other unfortunate cutbacks; many publications have permanently stopped their presses. The surviving publications are left struggling for cash to sustain themselves and pondering what role, if any, they will play in an environment that often doesn’t seem to value what they provide.
And yet, from where we sit, not all is gloom and doom. Hundreds of online news startups are trying to develop new, Net-native models for journalism. There’s still plenty of good writing and reporting to be found in newspapers across the country. Reporters seem to be interacting with readers more often—and more fruitfully—than ever before.
This week, Americans will celebrate Thanksgiving, a holiday nominally devoted to counting one’s blessings. So we wonder: Journalistically speaking, what are you still thankful for?
Thankful for getting a job after I graduated journalism. Thankful for being able to pursue my story ideas. Thankful to have the tribune to talk and write...
#1 Posted by Aneliya, CJR on Wed 25 Nov 2009 at 09:32 AM
I am not a journalist, but a retired biologist.
I am a regular reader of CJR and thankful that there still are journalists who search for "accurate" info and provide some analysis to put things in perspective. This is opposed to some of the global warming reporting that presents each side as if they are of equal value. The evidence is overwhelming that we are letting GW get worse. And most of the best-informed scientists are telling us this, though we refuse to listen. I would be thankful if more journalists researched this and told us.
#2 Posted by Donald L. Anderson, CJR on Wed 25 Nov 2009 at 11:00 AM
One of many things for which I'm thankful is Brian Hamilton's Notre Dame football coverage in the Chicago Tribune. Hamilton's a tremendous writer, and his unfailingly lively and intelligent stories are always worth reading--even if the teams he's covering are terrible, as is so often the case these days. A few years ago, I would have said that it'd only be a matter of time before ESPN or SI snatched him up. These days, who knows. He's really good at his job, though, and I hope the Tribune knows what they've got.
#3 Posted by Justin Peters, CJR on Wed 25 Nov 2009 at 11:13 AM
I am grateful for:
strength in numbers
groups who advocate for free speech
new models
new media
new voices
old values
old media
old voices
courageous reporters
people who still believe in integrity
the citizens formerly known as the audience
courageous whistleblowers
the end of the old year
the beginning of a new one
letting go the old stuff
embracing the new stuff
a new day
a new way
#4 Posted by Stuart Watson, CJR on Wed 25 Nov 2009 at 11:59 AM
I’m thankful for the donors, foundations, and families who are dedicated to supporting and nurturing quality journalism, and to the innovators working to bring new sources of quality news to life.
I’m thankful for Mark Knoller’s tweets, which keep thousands of us up to the minute on what’s happening in the White House, leavened every now and then with a corny joke or a historical note gleaned from his decades of presidential coverage.
And I'm thankful to NPR for airing, year after year, Susan Stamberg's mother-in-law's Thanksgiving cranberry relish recipe--even though I've never tried it.
#5 Posted by Clint Hendler, CJR on Wed 25 Nov 2009 at 12:16 PM
For James Fallows, Alexandra Fenwick, Howard French, Greg Marx, and others who this week engaged in remarkably detailed and substantive media criticism about the profoundly inane coverage of the presidential trip to Asia by the American media. Names were named, organizations were called out, analysis and explanation and context were shared through extensive interviews with a diveristy of knowledgable sources: journalists, ambassadors, White House officials, Asian contacts and citizens. Targets were hit, wounds were inflicted. Media criticism the way it should be done and the way it MUST be done. Thanks all, happy holiday!
#6 Posted by James, CJR on Wed 25 Nov 2009 at 10:24 PM
I am thankfull for trying to enjoy the fruits of journalism this year. I started a training centre for Radio, Tv and Film practical studies and i must say the future is bright. Secondly, in Uganda, the radio station i work for, CBS was closed by goverment under unclear circumstances. it three months now and goverment show no signs of re opening the station. CBS is the most popular station in Uganda with a rare crop of presenters.
#7 Posted by Abu Kawenja, CJR on Thu 26 Nov 2009 at 01:45 AM