Journalism More Progressive in New Media

A week ago today I attended the first ever Schuneman Symposium. The full day event included a panel from distinguished professionals in the journalism spectrum, a speech from Democracy Now! co-host and producer, Amy Goodman and a keynote address to finish the evening from Steve Hildebrand. In attending one of the panels and hearing from Goodman, I was able to walk away better informed about the future of new media. I was especially delighted to hear what Goodman had to say because of her resistant and untamed persona. Goodman embodies what journalism should be and possibly what it will be in the future. Journalist should very well be the watchdog of the people in power and should hold them all accountable for their actions and statements. "We're not there to please, we're there to question", says Goodman. I absolutely agree! Too often I witness journalist fail to ask the pressing questions, and get down to the bottom of what relevant. Yes those we question as journalist holds our access and can snatch it away like a baby offered candy but nonetheless we must question and not befriend. I am not saying burn bridges but I am saying to your job and do it effectively.  If not than as move further into further into "new media" old journalist will began to find themselves out of work.

The millennial generation wants truth and they demand to have it in new ways.  "Without question,the Internet and new media- text messaging, video messaging, twittering, all of that is changing the way people communicate, the way they learn, the way people organize", says Hildebrand. The election of Obama affirms this. His campaign was able to bring young people to the poles and focused on reaching Americans aside from traditional media tactics. Panel participants agree that media is continuing to evolve but they all seemed to be unsure about what the future holds. One thing for sure is that it is not going to stand still for anyone so as journalist it is important that we make it first to the punch. Better to act than be forced to react.