26th
The Elements of Journalism ch 1-5
Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel uncover the core questions to journalism in The Elements of Journalism. The first chapter asks for what journalism is and explains that journalism exists to inform citizens of information. The basic premise is that the more outlets for journalism that exist in a country or society, the more democratic the governing body. Because of this idea, some are reluctant to actually define journalism, as this could suppress, or even limit, journalism. While journalism evolves, journalism is not defined by technological advancements and the basic purpose of journalism remains firm from the past. It feeds the basic need to know.
Journalists are supposed to be committed to the truth, which is not a philosophical or even objective concept in journalism. The truth, in journalism, is a tangible practicality that promotes security within a society and also stimulates awareness; media outlets should mirror the conversation of citizens. Kovach and Rosenstiel would argue that journalists have denied the existence of technique and method for finding and reporting truth. “Journalistic truth” is a gradual process that occurs through fact-finding and interaction with the audience (42). The truth is a journalistic goal, not always attained or found. When journalists have to spend more time in business matters over actual journalism, journalists should realize that their role as the government’s watchdog has been “undermined” (51). A journalist’s loyalty is to its citizens, should speak directly to a reader, and not a conceptual audience.
Through an outline of fundamental questions, Kovach and Rosenstiel explore how and what journalism is, and how journalists can return to what they view as true journalism. The Elements of Journalism illustrates through statistical and anecdotal evidence how journalism has fallen into societal traps of false ambition and illusion. Kovach and Rosenstiel press the point (no pun intended) that journalism is an opportunity to self-govern and the two authors see that journalists and citizens alike are not using this ability to the full capacity. Essentially, the authors reveal that conglomerated and globalized journalism negatively impacts how well the media outlets can maintain a public forum for local communities, rather than conceptual, web-based communities. The two authors accept that journalism evolves, but they wonder if it will be successfully possible as journalism yields to business-like models where the citizens become customers and as journalism becomes more accustomed to corporate ethical codes and financial pressure. If the media is monopolized, then censorship is possible.
While Kovach and Rosenstiel point to obvious flaws in the modern journalism institution, they also attempt to be the authority and the answer to primary philosophical questions regarding journalism. In asking a question per chapter, they answer their own question and directly define journalism why it exists and for what without worrying that they may in fact have limited journalism this way. However, without a definition, journalism exists as a simple ideal without concrete, practical use. The authors believe that journalism is not serving its purpose for others; rather, it is serving an end itself.
Kovach and Rosenstiel attempt to bring journalists back to their roots of working for individual citizens, not for business entities or even attempting to gain government favor. Additionally, citizens should not expect to be treated as customers and should even take more part in journalism, as the book explains that media outlets are public forums, meant to stimulate interaction rather than mere, lazy consumption. While Elements of Journalism focuses on what journalism is, Kovach and Rosenstiel do not provide guidance for journalists and the public on how to steer journalism back onto the right track. While the ideals brought forth in the book are significant and define what journalism has been in the past and should be now, the ideals would have to be incorporated within journalism schools so that the next generation of journalists could help evolve journalism back from where journalism has gone once the older generation has faded out of the editorial and decision-making roles of media outlets. Even then, this process would be evolutionary, and not instant.
