Letters to the Editor
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The Rise of the Journalism School
I have watched the proliferation of Press Release Journalism for many years and find an interesting parallel with the increase in journalism schools.
Not that having a journalism degree precludes becoming a fine journalist, but rather that journalism schools are churning out mediocre reporters.
This shouldn't be surprising in that the very nature of such schools attracts those who want an easy path to career success. And what do most people do in school? Swallow what the professor tells you and regurgitate it properly, no questions asked.
Fine training for Press Release Journalism.
Contrast that with those who learned their professions on the job from experienced in-the-trenches editors and reporters.
David Halberstam did not have a journalism degree, but rather the more general Bachelor of Arts. Until journalism schools became ubiquitous, aspiring reporters were advised to get a good grounding in general knowledge and then gain experience on the job.