Soc. of Prof. Journalists Calls for 'Natl. Debate' re. Knight Ridder Sale

[DeepModem Mom]

I was asked in LBN to cross-post this article here:


Editor & Publisher: SPJ Calls for 'National Debate' Surrounding Sale of Knight Ridder
By E&P Staff

NEW YORK The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) on Thursday will call for what it terms "an urgent national conversation about how to preserve public-service journalism in light of the likely sale of the Knight Ridder newspaper company," E&P has learned.

The call, which is being spearheaded by the national group's Northern California Chapter, continues: "News media play a vital role in ensuring a robust and transparent democracy, a role that is too important to be compromised by the quest for profits. SPJ believes that both journalists and the public need to discuss openly the societal implications of these kinds of business decisions, as several groups have done in recent weeks. "

According to the statement, SPJ believes that those directing the production of news "have an ethical obligation to readers every bit as significant as their fiduciary accountability to shareholders....

"We acknowledge that newspapers cannot serve their democratic role unless they stay in business. But the increasing corporate pressure to squeeze additional returns out of already profitable newspapers, at rates exceeding the margins in most other industries, has skewed the balance between journalism and commerce."

The statement continues: "Though there is disagreement about what should happen to Knight Ridder -- whose 32 daily newspapers, various Web sites and weekly publications provide news to millions of readers -- there is broad consensus within the journalism community that it should not be allowed to fall into the hands of those unwilling to guarantee the continuity of public-service journalism....

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001918714

[babylonsister]

1. Excellent that the journalists are addressing this! nt

[blm]

4. Honest journalists know this is the last best hope for democracy.

.

[blm]

2. Please post this article to EVERY MEDIA BLOG. This IS our last best hope

for a real media holdout against BushInc.

[blm]

3. KICK for action.

.

[ReadTomPaine]

5. It's nice to see this matter getting some of the attention it deserves...

I was wondering just how much closer to home things would have to hit before journalists started defending their profession.

[babylonsister]

6. Kick! nt

[blm]

7. DeepModem Mom - maybe repost with FIERCE subject line.

Like - Journalists call for URGENT national debate on Knight Ridder sale

This is way too serious for people to not see it.