Journalism a dying art…?

As many PR professionals do, the CIG staff often uses the terms “press release” and “news release” interchangeably. So the other day during a weekly staff meeting when the boss lady asked that we adopt the term “news release” across the board, it got me thinking…

For starters, I’ll go ahead and state the obvious – the way we send and receive information is changing rapidly and dramatically. Between the instant accessibility of information and the ability to tailor exactly what information you want, how and when you get it, many existing methods of communication are becoming obsolete, including the old fashioned newspaper printing press (where the term “press release” is derived). A sign of the times that became undeniable last year when Denver’s Rocky Mountain News closed up shop for good.

And just recently, the University of Colorado (CU) announced it would do-away with its School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

In this line of work, I’m constantly surrounded by new methods of gathering, researching and communicating information to the masses – cool new tools, emerging and innovative technologies, evolving trends in the industry. But it’s my belief that no matter how the methods change, the art itself does not.

CU’s Journalism school Dean Paul Voakes credits the decision partly with the fact that nowadays “more people keep themselves informed online.” Although the days of the old news press may be breathing their last breaths, journalism is not just defined by print media. Like all industries, it continues to evolve along with the tools of the trade. Despite all the blogs, Twitters and Facebooks in the world, nothing takes the place of good journalism and the ability to effectively report, write, edit and broadcast information – online or in print.

As CU sticks a fork in the J-school, I have to wonder what’s next. In a world of changing media, are we beginning to lose sight of the art itself, or could this be an opportunity for the industry to take the next evolutionary step?

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 08/26 at 08:33 AM

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