More And More Students Choosing Journalism As A Major, Even As Newspapers Face Troubles

from the journalism-ain't-dying dept

Wed, Dec 17th 2008 1:16am — Mike Masnick

Thanks to all the fretting and worrying about the financial trouble and potential demise of many mainstream newspapers, it's become something of a curiosity that more students than ever seem to be going into college journalism programs (found via Romenesko). However, as the article details, it all makes sense once you realize the simple fact: while newspapers may be in trouble, journalism is actually doing quite well.

Just as many people mistakenly believe that the recording industry represents the music industry, the newspaper industry is hardly a proxy for journalism. Journalism, these days, has expanded well beyond newspapers, and a big part of the problem is that newspapers just aren't as good a medium for news as various other platforms. The second important point that the article above makes clear: journalism, by itself, isn't necessarily a profession. For many students, they see journalism as important training for other professions -- such as law, PR, consulting or management. That's a point that's often ignored these days. The ability to clearly explain what's happening, gathering facts, understanding various viewpoints, and coherently summarizing all the points of view is actually a really valuable skill beyond just journalism. So, don't fear for "journalism." It's going strong. The problem is newspapers who haven't been able to shift course in the midst of a rapidly changing market.

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Filed Under: journalism, newspapers, students

9 Comments

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OneDisciple, 17 Dec 2008 @ 3:32am

Think of the Children
We need more legislation to save the Newspapers. "Think of the children"!!!!!
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Anonymous Coward, 17 Dec 2008 @ 3:59am

I believe what they are actually seeking to learn is how to twist the facts to support their viewpoint. Journalists are spin doctors these days and that can definitely be a valuable skill for the jobs you reference.
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Nemesis, 17 Dec 2008 @ 4:43am

Legislation
Yes, the new business model

Let's have more Legislation!

I can see it now--the wonder of .... government legislated journalism. WOW!

Yes let's "Think of the children"!!!!! they will grow up as good little citizens---knowing exactly what the government (oops--I meant the press) wants them to know.

To a better (government) future
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Chunky Vomit, 17 Dec 2008 @ 4:51am

Easy Degree
Maybe they choose journalism because it is an easy degree.
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yogi, 17 Dec 2008 @ 4:58am

Are you kidding?
you wrote

"The ability to clearly explain what's happening, gathering facts, understanding various viewpoints, and coherently summarizing all the points of view is actually a really valuable skill beyond just journalism"

I have to wonder where you are encountering that kind of journalism.Definitely not on the evening news or in any daily newspaper - they can hardly be bothered with such trivialities.
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Anonymous Coward, 17 Dec 2008 @ 5:08am

Get an under-graduate degree in journalism to be come a spin doctor and a law degree to stay out of jail and you will be all set for a career in politics where lying and cheating have been raised to an art form.
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Sir Fartsalot, 17 Dec 2008 @ 2:43pm

FOOLS
Art History is sooooo much more lucrative.
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Stephen Pate, 18 Dec 2008 @ 3:51pm

Journalism
I was writing for small change at 13. Writing and the concise investigative kind practiced by journalists is a valuable career skill. In business I learned to read proposals and whip up 50 page responses from scratch in one day, before editing. Writing and public speaking are two ingredients in career success.
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Ryan Shaw, 9 Jan 2009 @ 12:17pm

re: More And More Students Choosing Journalism As A Major, Even As Newspapers Face Troubles
Long over due but here is my comment:

I absolutely love the point “people mistakenly believe that the recording industry represents the music industry”. I never thought of it in that simple way but makes so much sense. I then wonder if the same rings true for the movie industry. Or do they have a larger grasp on things. They do have a mandatory timed view of an FBI warning that you cannot fast forward where CDs only have a 4pt font disclaimer.
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