Tag Archives: Journalism

How Do You Define Good Journalism?

This is a big question–I realize that.  As, you could dedicate a whole blog to the topic. For the sake of this post, the key point I want to share is:

“The supreme test of good journalism is the measure of its public service.”

These are not my words, as they were actually written over 100 years ago. Walter Williams, the founder of the world’s first journalism school (Missouri’s School of Journalism), actually penned this statement as part of the larger Journalist’s Creed. It was relevant then, and it’s still relevant today.

In a world with media producing jokers (thanks Steve Radick for the tip on that one!), content thieves, and link lovers, it’s sometimes hard to gauge journalism’s credibility and relevance. But let’s not lose hope too quickly–instead, let’s promote good journalism. For example, I say “here, here” to Valerie Maltoni’s call to action–asking all of us to work harder and do better to link to and develop original content (I include myself here). Let’s devote our attention, eyes, and keyboards to those who are doing good journalism.

I know I take a more liberal definition of journalism. In fact, it’s because of the very words “public service” within the Journalist’s Creed that inspired me to study and do social marketing. For journalism, to me, in its truest sense, is a public service.

Thoughts–How do you define good journalism? and what other ways can we, as bloggers and citizens, reward and promote good journalism?

flickr credit: gadgetgirl

Dear May 2009 Graduate, Here’s 40 Reasons to Still Study Journalism

I am completely biased in this post because of my own studies in journalism. That said:

Newspapers are downsizing. Jobs are being cut. The journalism field is in the midst of a re-invention. Despite the landscape and view people may hold when they think of today’s journalism, enrollment in journalism school has INCREASED!

Recently on the Mizzou Mafia’s list serv (we do exist), an alum wrote about her frustration when a prospective freshman asked her about a career in journalism. She just felt like she couldn’t encourage the girl to go into a field that she felt was losing hope.

However, when my High School Senior, Class of 2009 cousin asked me about it the other weekend, I was thrilled. I still encourage perspective students and recent grads to continue in the field of journalism. To provide evidence as to why and to help spread hope in the journalism field, I write this letter:

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Dear May 2009 Graduate,

Here are 40 reasons to still study journalism:

  1. We need journalism. As a society, we need journalism to help us be the watchdog, to speak for the people, to highlight issues and areas that need addressed, to highlight people’s voices and to protect our freedoms.
  2. As a society, we need good journalism. We need journalism that knows its purpose and role in society. We need journalism to remember its roots, and as Walter William said in the Journalist’s Creed, we need journalism to act as a public service.
  3. We need good journalists. We need journalists who can be jugglers. Journalists who are multi-faceted, sharp, quick, curious, creative, inventive, profound and moving.
  4. We need journalism’s spirit. Imagine if more of this moved in our words, writing and work: Also from the Journalists Creed: Journalism…“seeks to give every man a chance and, as far as law and honest wage and recognition of human brotherhood can make it so, an equal chance; is profoundly patriotic while sincerely promoting international good will and cementing world-comradeship; is a journalism of humanity, of and for today’s world.”
  5. We need the next generation’s talent. You grew up with technology. You care about your friends and your communities. You aren’t afraid. We need you, your ideas, your voices, your tech-saavy minds, your perspective, and your willingness to adapt, change and evolve.
  6. Journalism teaches you to be a writer, and a good one. In just about any profession, you will be a writer at some point. Journalism teaches you how to write. And when you know how to write, people will value this talent and gift no matter what your title, job or industry.
  7. Journalism teaches you to be a talker, and a good one. Again, in any profession, you will be called upon to speak at some point. Journalism provides you a firm foundation to know what to say, how to say it and why you are saying it.
  8. Journalism teaches you to defend your stance, your writing and your character. When you write or talk, no matter if it’s in work, in relationships or through your passions, you will need to know why you do what you do and write what you write. You will also need to identify your limits and your “no-fly” zones/issues.
  9. Journalism teaches you ethics. You might be scoffing. But, in j-school, they really do teach ethics, and it’s fascinating. You are reporting and telling people’s stories. These are real people and real issues that your words and actions will affect. It is not something to take lightly.
  10. Journalism teaches you to learn on the fly. You will learn something new everyday. Some events you can’t prepare for and sometimes you must be an expert on a situation you just learned about 20 minutes ago. Get ready. (Thanks @brenda_haines for that one!)
  11. Journalism teaches you how to ask questions, including the tough ones. The field is right there with you, and it’s got your back because people want and need to know. You ask the question not just for yourself or your editor, but because you represent “the people.” This will come in handy because in life, sometimes, it’s easy not to ask the tough ones or to think someone else will do it. But, as a j-schooler, you will learn how to take the initiative and be confident in your curiosity.
  12. Journalism makes you look at situations, problems and issues from multiple perspectives. It gets you out of your comfort zone. Again, great lessons for life.
  13. Journalism teaches you to be a good networker. You have to build relationships with your sources and with those gateways to your sources. You also learn how to identify resources, another important aspect of networking.
  14. Journalism teaches you to be a good researcher. You must fact check, and fact check again. You are given an assignment and you must find out all the answers to all the questions your audience may have about your assignment so you can write the best write-up possible or capture the best video.
  15. Journalism teaches you confidence. To succeed, especially in broadcast journalism, you have to be confident in your research, words, and actions. It also helps you identify confidence in others, which is a good talent when fact checking sources, seeking talent, choosing a mentor, finding a love interest or when making a friend.
  16. The world becomes a smaller place. Journalism gives you the platform to meet a diverse amount of people, study diverse issues and if you want, even travel to diverse countries.
  17. Journalism clues you into newsworthiness. You learn how to be interesting, how to make conversation, how to potentially position a business or what to cover for a blog. Newsworthiness is a subject that I think all should take a class in. For example, can you define all the elements of newsworthiness? Here’s three to get you started: proximity, timeliness and prominence.
  18. There are cutting-edge and exciting projects developing. The New York Times just hired a Social Media Editor. People are curious if newspapers will become non-profits. Organizations are adopting journalistic principles into their work. It’s an exciting time to get started.
  19. You can explore your creativity. Writing, photography, art direction, videography, graphic design, Web production, etc. all utilize skills learned in journalism school.
  20. There are plenty of stories still needing to be told. @Boones6433 helped me with this one, and it’s true. So many rocks still left to uncover, in your community, state, nation and around the globe.
  21. It’s historic. You can say you were there. You get involved in history by helping to create and influence it.
  22. People in journalism are diverse, eclectic and interesting. Maybe I’m biased by the program I went to, but you meet people from all walks of life, varied experiences and a long span of passions. It’s inspiring and motivating.
  23. Gives you an excuse to talk to someone in the know. Doing an interesting piece on dairy recall in stores across the nation? This gives you a perfect reason to try and get in touch with someone at Baskin Robbins or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Better yet, do graduate research on any topic you find interesting and find a way to interview people “in the know.”
  24. You grow broad shoulders. People will critique your work. If not an editor, then your readers. You learn to brave the wind, and it makes you a better person for it, even beyond the world of journalism.
  25. Make the right decision the first time. Enrollment of older adults in journalism is increasing. Some reasons are because of its appeal, the breadth of skills it teaches and the variety of doors it opens. Don’t not go to j-school because you are afraid nothing will come of it. Have a better reason for an alternative than fear.
  26. You can reach more people than ever. With the help of evolving technology, today’s stories have the capability to be heard around the world instantaneously.
  27. You can be you. According to Mark Glaser at PBS, Web technologies and blogs offer reporters the ability to “explain their conflicts of interest in greater detail, leading to more transparency. Plus, online writing tends to be more personal, giving reporters, editors and news anchors the chance to be more human and connect with their audience in deeper ways.”
  28. It’s easier to freelance. With blogging and others sites like Craigslist, E-Lance, iFreelance and others, jobs are literally right at your fingertips.
  29. There are internships galore that you can start doing now. Because of the economic crunch many journalism organizations are facing, the amount of internships have increased….everywhere. With some creativity and some luck, you can even make your own internship opportunity anywhere you want. Journalism can truly be an entrepreneurial field that you define and mold.
  30. There are top-notch universities with amazing learning labs. For some of the top ones, check out Missouri’s School of Journalism (my alma mater), Columbia, NYU, and Northwestern.
  31. Inside information is easier to attain. According to the Online Journalism Blog, “wikileaks and the like” have make it easier for people with sensitive information to bypass censorship, making information more available.
  32. It’s less costly to do. The Online Journalism Blog also notes how today’s journalists can conduct interviews over Skype or through email for free.
  33. You mom will be proud. You can have a moment of nano-fame when you first get “published” and the byline says your name. Keep it, frame it, dance around and call your mom. I admit I did exactly that.
  34. You will know how to mediate a conversation. The journalism profession teaches you how to keep conversation going person to person or within groups both small and large. This is helpful for work meetings, making small talk or even arguments amongst friends.
  35. You will learn how to multi-task. Your phone is ringing with a hot new lead. You have a deadline in a two hours. You still need to fact check. You need to follow-up to some emails and you have a meeting in ten minutes. Yay, like, I said earlier, jugglers.
  36. You can make a difference. Cliche? Maybe. But you can. Depending on your interests and passions, you can make a difference. I used to report for Adelante on Mid-Missouri’s Latino population. We made a difference as we were the only print voice for Latinos in all of Mid-Missouri by bringing attention to worker conditions, immigration issues and health conditions just to name a few.
  37. You will learn tangible skills. Studying journalism, you will be able to develop tangible skills. Not just writing, interviewing and researching, but also Web literacy, photoshop techniques, Flash, Studio 8, Videography, video editing, and many more.
  38. You can pursue graduate education. There are many top-notch graduate programs that can be leveraged to open new doors and opportunities. As I like to say, in journalism, you can own your education. Love the art of journalism, but interested in public health but also like to travel? Then, do a graduate fellowship or research project abroad covering community health. Like studying how technology affects communication? Then, create your own research study to measure an organization’s Diffusion of Innovation.
  39. It changes everyday. This is more true nowadays than ever before. The field is constantly evolving. Sure, stories may last longer, but being a journalists means different assignments, different interviews and different situations. You won’t be bored.
  40. Twitter tweeps agree that studying journalism is invaluable. Don’t believe me? Then ask these tweeps:

The goal is to get to 50. I’ve done the first 40. Going with the whole co-creation concept and knowing SB readers are smart and savvy, I figure you’ll have some reasons of your own to expand the list! =)

flickr credit: Jonathan Pobre

************ (from the comments):

#41: Headline writing is great practice in a social world. With only 140 characters on Twitter and the increasing need to be short, simple and to the point. @brenda_haines reminds us that headline writing is great practice for Twitter posting.

#42: MerAnda added–Being a reporter means your job will be cooler, or at least perceived as more interesting, than 95 percent of the kids you went to high school with. When someone asks what you do, they can’t help but want to know more when you say you’re a journalist.

#43: MerAnda added–Even if you don’t get rich (and you probably won’t), you will at least have some great stories to tell. What’s the craziest crash, destruction or natural disaster you’ve ever seen? What was the best performance or speech you’ve attended? Who’s the biggest celeb you’ve met? Most people have responses to these. You will be able to not only top most of them, but because you’ve been trained to notice and remember details, your story will be more vivid and interesting.

#44: MerAnda added–You’ll learn to find interest in subjects you’re not naturally interested in. That will make you a more well rounded person, not only in journalism but also in life.

#45: MerAnda added–Journalism can take you anywhere. There is no geographical limit to stories waiting to be told. And with the Internet and freelance opportunities, there are few limits on the outlets and methods in which those stories can be shared.

#46: MerAnda added–You don’t have to wonder if people read what you write. The proof is there in black and white. There are people responding to your stories, in letters to the editor or story chats or through blog posts or calls to you.

#47: MerAnda added–You don’t have to work 9 to 5. In fact, you probably won’t. (SB: I would also add that you won’t work 9 to 5. You will probably be on call around the clock and find yourself working at odd hours, especially the more technology evolves. This, at times, can create more flexibility, but also teaches you some mean time management skills.)

#48 MerAnda added–Strangers will recognize you, if not by sight, then by name. Your byline may be small and easy to skip over skimming the publication, but the people who care about the topic you cover, know who you are and are familiar with your work.

Blogger Outreach Series 2: Law Issues Part A, Defamation and Negligence

hotoblog

Continuing in my blogger outreach series, this post will focus on law that addresses issues bloggers need to know, understand and be conscience about when deciding how to go about starting a blog, conduct blogger outreach or a blog marketing plan.

As the democratization of journalism increases, many bloggers can be considered journalists. One issue with the current Shield Law being debated in the Senate is that some would like there to be a definition on who/what is a journalist. Indeed, bloggers are recognized by the Supreme Court as having the same protections as media individuals and organizations since they engage in similar activities. (Since the Shield Law is currently developing, it is important to note that Shield Laws do not necessarily always protect bloggers). As of now, no such definition exists and the implications of such a definition, could be, well…interesting….and perhaps, dangerous.

But enough about that, as I admit, I’m no politician and I haven’t been following the case the whole three years it’s been going on. My point –> it is important for a blogger to understand some of the issues the law addresses .

As a disclaimer, I am not a lawyer, but these are concepts that must be considered in the broader media industry. There are many, but this post will focus on defamation and negligence, while part b will cover copyright and privacy.

1. Defamation

A person or organization can file suit for ‘defamation of character.’ For content to be considered defamation, a private plaintiff must prove:

  • falsity (this includes insinuation or implication)
  • about or concerning the plaintiff filing the suit
  • exposes the person to hatred, contempt, aversion or introduces an evil or bad opinion about the plaintiff

In addition, the law is written differently when the plaintiff is a public official or a public figure. A public official or figure must prove: actual malice. A public official is defined as someone who has been elected, appointed, presented to a position. A public figure is someone who is either known to the public already or someone who were drawn into the issue. Actual malice means that the false statement was published “with knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not.” To determine actual malice, courts will look at the process and extent of pursuing the truth.

Other way defamation occurs comes from misidentification.

Defamation Lessons:

  • Be conscience of legal terminology. (i.e. accused vs. alleged)
  • Take extra measures when any content involves a minor or a private citizen.
  • Double-check names or contact the person to fact check names mentioned in posts.
  • Before publishing an address, phone number or email, be sure it is the correct contact information for the individual/organization.
  • Be wary of depended on internet sources and search engines. This includes wikipedia. =)
  • If you do realize a mistake, correct it, and write a retraction. A retraction acknowledges the mistake and re-iterates its correction.
  • If you are faced with this issue, truth can act as a defense.
  • Satire, parody and hyperbole are not considered defamation.
  • Opinion is not considered defamation. But, whether you and the plaintiff agree that the statement in question can be classified as ‘opinion’ is another story.
  • Corporations are not public figures. They are judged like private figures.
  • There is such a concept as defamation insurance, even for bloggers.
  • Each state has a different statute of limitations for how long someone can sue after a posting has been made.
  • See here for more extensive details about issues of defamation and libel as it applies to bloggers.

2. Negligence

Negligence means that the author acted recklessly beyond that of a reasonably, responsible person would have. Private figures – friends, coworkers, people at the bus station – only have to prove negligence to win their case; whereas, public officials and public figures must prove actual malice.

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If you are filed a law suit for what you blogged, the Electronic Frontier Foundation advises you to seek an attorney who is knowledgeable about Anti-SLAPP laws. SLAPP stands for Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation, and the Anti-SLAPP laws are enforced to help people who get sued for making legitimate, protected speech about public issues.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation offers a link to the The First Amendment Project, which has a helpful FAQ on Anti-SLAPP laws. Please note, that Anti-SLAPP laws currently don’t exist in every state and tend to vary.

Stay tuned for my continuing series on Blogger Outreach, issues to address when developing blogging outreach plans.

Next week: Law Issues Part B, Copyright and Privacy

Helpful Source: 12 Laws Every Blogger Should Know provided by Aviva Directory

Survey This: Bloggers and Advertising

In hopes to not influence responses, I will withhold my commentary on why I am inquiring about the topic: advertising on blogs. Instead, I will refer SB readers to the quick, 10-question survey I created, and look forward to sharing and discussing results. All responses are anonymous, unless designate your blog’s URL.

Survey Monkey

Click Here to Take Survey

Feel free to share, as the more people that share their experiences, the bigger picture we will receive. Feel free to share with friends and colleagues as I am depending on a snowball sample for this informal survey. Gratzi

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Obama Online – More than Social Media

Change.govWith the launch of Change.gov, commentary on Obama’s social media strategy and success have been made here, here and here. Yup, here too. Some are even calling Obama and the government integration of new media tools through Change.gov the Digital New Deal while others wonder about the extension of the Obama brand and community – post election.

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Social media is awesome. Grand. Influential. Amazing. In my professional role working with government agencies, I must admit that my first reaction to Change.gov was, “Sweet, I can’t wait for this priority on social media to trickle down among other government agencies. Man, that would make our job so much easier.” Or, would it?

Because now, instead of talking about why to do it, the opportunity to implement may [hopefully] increase, meaning we must show results. And, Obama set the bar high.

Granted, Obama’s campaign is an amazing case study that aided in achieving an important end objective – getting Obama elected. However, Obama’s online success is due to more than social media.

“Overall, the presidential campaign filled 54% of the newshole as measured by PEJ’s News Coverage Index from Oct. 27-Nov. 2. That represents a slight uptick from the previous two weeks when the election was at 52% (Oct. 20-26) and 51% (Oct. 13-19). The race for the White House was the dominant story in all five media sectors, most notably in cable, where it accounted for 84% of the airtime studied, and on the radio airwaves, at 65%.”

  • Obama created the Obama-brand. If you work in government, you may understand some of the government’s sensitivity to the word brand. And from the outside, how the public might react to the government branding or marketing itself. (Hence, the whole debate back when to transition from health communications to health marketing.) However, the Obama-brand has become widely accepted and adapted while maintaining a consistent message to diverse audiences across a range of platforms.
  • The number of resources available. Obama’s fundraising numbers were out of the roof. Not every project is as fortunate. This is why highlighting and emphasizing ROI is important and critical.
  • Obama was the first, and it was sexy. Being the first is always advantageous. In the government 2.0 sector, Obama led the way in showing how to leverage a comprehensive social media plan to create an online presence that connected with the overall program’s mission. Not only did he do it, but he made it sexy by implementing creative elements that encouraged not only online users, but also online ambassadors.
  • Obama and his team understood the essence of social media online and off line. This is the biggest one I think. Obama’s message tapped into the cornerstone of social media – help me, help you, help me, empower America. Did you get lost in that? Web 2.0 is about the conversation and Obama is encouraging conversation with him and among each other. The Change.gov Web site communicates it best:

“Share your vision for what America can be, where President-Elect Obama should lead this country. Where should we start together?”

He took the essence of social media tools and made it his mantra. He is change, but he needs you to help create that change. You want change, but you need him to lead that change. Brilliant.

In your opinion, what other factors outside of social media helped mold Obama’s online success?

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The Purpose Driven Campaign: Social Marketing as the Possible Link Between Journalism and Advertising

After reflecting from the World Social Marketing Conference (which I promise updates eventually) and reading Craig Lefebvre’s recent post “Social Marketing: Hard Power and Soft Power in Social Change,” I want to finally share some tidbits from my thesis paper that I presented as a poster session at the conference. As, I think it rounds out and puts a lot of themes together as I studied: the elusive concept of influence.

Abstract: This research project looks at the concept of influence within social marketing as compared to journalism and advertising. This includes examining these professions’ definitions, ethics, standards, and agenda-setting capabilities. Through in-depth interviews, a further understanding of how these three practices relate within the gray matter of the media landscape is pioneered, as well as better defining the role and influence of social marketing.

Excerpt:

The Question of Influence

While the Information Age leaps into the Connected Age, the power of a free press is offered daily to start-up bloggers. Newspapers are downsizing. Amateurism is becoming the new professionalism. Online media producers replace today’s broadcast directors; all making the gray shades of influence between the information and its consumers a thunderstorm waiting to happen. Social marketing is in the business of change, whether it is behavioral change or attitude change, social marketing can also be described as the field for social change. But, how? In today’s world, who holds more influence to create these changes, a journalist, advertiser or a social marketer? How can one tell the difference? Is there a difference? And, do the professions work together? Could they? Should they? This research hopes to add to the discussion on the evolving definition and role of social marketing, using agenda-setting relationships to examine its influence and attempt to determine its position between advertising and journalism in the media landscape.

Literature Review

It is 1961. A time when questions were raised and hope diminishing as borders became gray and a rise of an international community emerged. Two Portuguese students were imprisoned for declaring a public toast towards their dream, rooted in an idea – freedom. Having their freedom stolen from them for displaying a human right of expression, a newspaper article was written, and with it, a movement spurred. This movement would form Amnesty International (www.amnesty.org). Social change is possible, and it begins with an idea. Social marketing is an increasing movement currently being expanded because of its foundation in ideas about positive change for the welfare of the public.

Though specific definitions differ, social marketing achieves social change objectives by applying the marketing mix of product, place, promotion and price. Currently, social marketing is used mostly in public health communications and is expanding in the realms of environmentalism, civil rights, urban renewal, public service and raising awareness of international issues.

Conclusion: The conclusion of course I can’t share here, but it involves what I found consistent between journalism and advertising, but interestingly, the field of public policy was drawn into the mix through the research as well.

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Good or Bad: NY Times and LinkedIn?

Read, Write, Web announced that the NY Times is announcing a content partnership with Linkedin that allows:

LinkedIn users to be shown personalized news targeting their industry verticals on the Business and Technology sections of NYTimes.com, where users will then be prompted to share those stories will professional associates.

I agree with RWW that this move is inspiring…especially to us social media marketing types. However, pausing in the excitement to reflect, I am reminded again of my recent trip to the Newseum.

Does providing the public with the information they WANT….take away from providing news the public NEEDS, whether we know we need it or not. As an extreme example, what if all I want to read about are the latest and greatest events in Hollywood. Not to knock Hollywood, but isn’t it important that we also try to reach these individuals with messages about public health, the environment and world events?

Pausing in the grandeur social media environment: are we on the verge of OVER-segmenting our audiences?

With journalistic big dawgs, like the NY Times, takes this step: is there greater good? or is it dangerous?

I understand journalism organizations, especially newspapers, are trying to find a working online model, or any working business model for that matter, but…is this idea of giving people what they want…dangerous?

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Public Service, Journalism and Business: Standing for Freedom

Today, I saw a very amazing man I once interviewed a year ago: John Siegenthaler, Sr., civil rights activist and founder of the First Amendment Center. During that interview, he demonstrated through his own life and experiences how he has, and continues, to stand up for freedom.

I saw him on display actually when I visited the Newseum in Washington D.C. this past Saturday, which might have just edged out the Smithsonian’s American History museum as my favorite museum in Washington.

I will forever consider myself a journalist. Let me explain.

Walter Williams, esteemed Journalist and first dean of the world’s first journalism school, created the Journalist’s Creed. An excerpt:

I believe that the public journal is a public trust; that all connected with it are, to the full measure of their responsibility, trustees for the public; that acceptance of a lesser service than the public service is betrayal of this trust.

Sadly, with international bureaus decreasing, freedoms of speech being revoked, the modern day multi-media corporations….I feel as if journalism is becoming more of a business and less a public service.

What is journalism? Who is a journalist? We can all practice journalism. We can all follow the ideals and ethics a journalist applies to his or her craft. We can all be journalists, and in ways we may not realize, already ARE journalists.

I asked this very question to NBC’s News correspondent Pete Williams today during his interview at the Newseum. It was fascinating, covering topics from FOIA, government and press relations, bias and more. I left remembering why I went to journalism school and why I will always consider myself a journalist. He advised that to support the pillars of journalism, we should continue amazing reporting – showing others good journalism. I agree. But I also think, we can do more.

The other week I was live on Jonny’s Par-tay. One of the viewers asked each of us what particular cause might be our favorite. I said journalism. Journalism – as a profession- is largely under attack at times, largely criticized, largely…in debate. Journalism…is the conversation, the dialogue, the public sphere, the public agenda. You can’t NOT have journalism in a free society. Journalism, at its root, is the idea that you have the freedom to know, to be informed, to educate yourself and others, to learn, to ask, to question, and to speak.

Thus, I will always be a journalist. Like, Mr. siegenthaler, I will always stand up for freedom and for truth. Won’t you join us?

*I got inspired this weekend and worked on my paper more. Lots more where this came from. =)
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Consumerism. What’s Your First Reaction?

My guess is that it might have caused a slight wrinkle in the face and a sigh of stress? confusion? frustration? I offer that more and more…it should bring a smile. Consumerism is not just about what you consume, but about the choice (and power) you have as well.

Been meaning to post on this topic for a while, but a discussion I had at a friend’s gathering the other day prompted me to post. (Plus, a recent article regarding the optimistic power of consumerism found by a colleague of mine). The conversation circled around consumerism and capitalism….leisurely, get-to-know you chit-chat right…

But I was listening to two new friends, acquaintances really, debate consumerism versus capitalism:

  • Are they the same thing?
  • Does one breed the other?
  • Is one better than the other?
  • How to stop it, can we stop it?

Etc., etc., etc….you can only imagine. How many of us have found ourselves in these slightly awkward conversations over the weekend, when all you want to do is relax and make friends. Truth is, I secretly LOVE these conversations. Yup, I’m one of ‘them.’ I love the people who are open to talking about how they feel about the things that really matter, especially those amongst my generation. We do DO more than check Facebook 10 times a day, ;).

Onward. Fact is, I enjoy listening to these conversations because they get my mind tinkering and fueled. After each person shared their viewpoint, I offered this:

Nowadays, the power is transferring from the organization or company to the consumer. Consumerism in today’s terms is increasingly more powerful than it’s given credit. We are all consumers. We all have a choice in the types of services, types of products, types of media we support. Think about the power we have as individuals, let alone when communities and groups surround a movement!”

The best I’ve heard what I’m trying to communicate was at my grad school graduation where Ken Paulson, Editor and Sr. Vice President of USA Today, told my class:

“You are not going to change the world…You already have.”

He went on to explain how the Millennial generation changed the world when they decided they didn’t want to have to pay for music. Or, when they made new phrases like brb, lol and ttyl become common. He also went on to describe the danger we in the media landscape – from advertisers, to journalists, broadcasters, etc – create by referring to ourselves as: The Media. What IS that anyway? The media.

Mr. Paulson, I applaud your speech and would love a copy if you ever read this. It very much reflects what my own master’s research reiterates. There was a time when ‘the media’ (whatever that is) was not a business…and when it was a public service. If you don’t think so, research 1776 or the first newspaper, Publick Occurances. Or, recall Walter WIlliams’ infamous Journalist’s Creed. Or, email/comment me, and let’s have a conversation. 😉

Thus, I leave you with this: What’s your choice? Where do you stand?

Skeptical? Check out Joseph Jaffe’s post and what his power as a consumer is doing to Delta Airlines…at this point, not sure who I feel worse for: Jaffe, or the PR mess Delta is now in, lol. Wow.

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As an FYI: My research is being presented at the 1st World Social Marketing Conference this upcoming September in Brighton, England. There’s more to it than this paragraph, and it’s not quite publication ready yet. Let me know if you’ll be there, and hopefully, we can meet! =)


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