Continued news from the Center for Innovation and Sustainability in Local News about the expanding news desert should serve as a reminder for all who teach journalism about the importance of community news.
The closing of community media outlets seems less of a concern in our classes the economics of the New York Times or the Washington Post. However, this quote from a Nieman Lab article suggests why should change.
“Take 98 percent of whatever energy you devote to worrying about the future of the Times and rechannel it into worrying about your local daily, which is very likely approaching existential crisis,” Benton wrote.
Yet, in my own classes at an undergraduate and graduate student discussion in class focuses on publications that are nationally known, not those who serve communities isolated from other press coverage. Those of us teaching the next generation of journalist owe it to our students to ensure they understand the industry they will enter.
Additionally, the recent comments by former New York Times Editor Jill Abramson should serve as a stark reminder about how those who focus on the elite publications miss the changes that occur throughout the industry. Her comment about the closing of community newspaper shows a gross lack of understanding and oversimplification about the industry.
Although the Poynter article written about Abramson’s statements effectively talks about the challenges facing community journalism and how it has changed.
Everyone who teaches journalism should look at these developments and remember why we focus upon these small publications. Many of our students will begin their careers in these towns, working for community media and the reduction of these publications will have a sizable impact on the job opportunities for those we teach.
My hope is that at AEJMC in Toronto we can begin a conversation about how to talk about integrating community journalism into curriculums throughout the country.
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