Merrill
I'm taking a not-so-well-deserved break from my all-night session - writing an assignment that's already 10 days overdue to post something I came across. John C. Merrill, doyen of journalism and media academia, writes in Twilight of Press Freedom: The Rise of People's Journalism:Communitarianism is a power concept that must be taken seriously. In America it is invading social consciousness on the coattail of a loss of media credibility, offering to replace an ever-growing media libertinism and arrogance.So, we should all work together to build a 'better' society by putting aside our own interests. Social responsibility versus individual freedom... Will you allow your voice to be 'controlled' for the greater good?
A big problem in the new century will be the control of the mushrooming Internet and the new "people's journalism," but this can and will be done in concert with the new spirit of community solidarity. So it would appear that the 21st century will be one of a more orderly and disciplined press, dedicated to social harmony and operating as a thermostat to keep the communal temperature at a comfortable level. It will be a century, as well, that views press freedom somewhat nostalgically - a glorious idea that came and went.
the earley edition - Posted by Dave @ 10/04/2004 03:03:00 am || ||
