Why Journalism Still Matters

Can we talk about the news media without proclaiming journalism either our savior or the source of all evil? It is not easy to do so, but it gets easier if we put the problems and prospects of journalism in historical and comparative perspective, view them with a sociological knowledge of how newsmaking operates, and see them in a political context that examines how political institutions shape news as well as how news shapes political attitudes and institutions. 

Adopting this approach, Michael Schudson examines news and news institutions in relation to democratic theory and practice, in relation to the economic crisis that affects so many news organizations today and in relation to recent discussions of “fake news.” In contrast to those who suggest that journalism has had its day, Schudson argues that journalism has become more important than ever for liberal democracies as the keystone institution in a web of accountability for a governmental system that invites public attention, public monitoring and public participation. For the public to be swayed from positions people have already staked out, and for government officials to respond to charges that they have behaved corruptly or unconstitutionally or simply rashly and unwisely, the source of information has to come from organizations that hold themselves to the highest standards of verification, fact-checking, and independent and original research, and that is exactly what professional journalism aspires to do.

This timely and important defense of journalism will be of great value to anyone concerned about the future of news and of democracy.

Michael Schudson is Professor of Journalism at Columbia University.

Personal Acknowledgments vii

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

Part I Where Journalism Came From

1 14 or 15 Generations: News as a Cultural Form and Journalism as a Historical Formation 23

2 Walter Lippmann’s Ghost: An Interview 31

3 Is Journalism a Profession? Objectivity 1.0, Objectivity 2.0, and Beyond 41

Part II Going Deeper into Contemporary Journalism

4 The Danger of Independent Journalism 71

5 Belgium Invades Germany: Reclaiming Non-Fake News – Imperfect, Professional, and Democratic 81

6 Journalism in a Journalized Society: Reflections on Raymond Williams and the “Dramatised Society” 96

7 The Crisis in News: Can You Whistle a Happy Tune? 113

Part III Short Takes on Journalism and Democracy

8 Citizenship – According to “The Simpsons” 137

9 The Multiple Political Roles of American Journalism 149

10 Democracy as a Slow Government Movement 167

Part IV Afterword

11 Second Thoughts: Schudson on Schudson 181

Notes 195