ISSUES surrounding the news media have entered the realm of the weather. There is a lot of talk about the subject, but there is little action that would resolve the problems bedeviling American journalism in its many forms.
The planned merger of America Online and Time Warner is just the latest of many recent corporate actions that have perplexing implications for the journalism media, particularly after the scandal at the Los Angeles Times in which corporate managers blithely knocked down the wall separating functions of news gathering from revenue generating.
Elsewhere, we see other examples of lowering standards for reporting the news, mixing entertainment with the news and reducing the resources necessary to maintain the unique standards of watchdog American journalism alongside the aim of increasing profits in an exceedingly profitable business.
No wonder consistent polling data show a continuing decline in the public's confidence in and respect for the independent, investigative journalism that has long been an essential part of the American democracy.
In some polls, only health management organizations attract less support than American print and electronic news media.
Less well known, but just as important, are polling results that show low morale and professional unease among working journalists. Middle managers are trapped between the unremitting pressure of their bosses to lower costs and increase profits and the apprehensions of street-level journalists who are unable to perform their craft in the manner for which they were trained.
Yes, there is some action under the generic rubric of "journalism reform" to counter the negative trends in our business. There is more research available than ever to describe the problems facing our industry, and many highly motivated and dedicated men and women are trying to patch up the vessel before it springs more leaks and starts to sink.
Across the country, there are lectures, workshops and training sessions to help journalists and lower-level managers deal with their problems. One of the most promising developments is the draft "A Statement of Shared Purpose" produced by the Committee of Concerned Journalists, with which our Committee on the Future of Journalism has been cooperating.
But even this effort, as worthwhile as it is, is only a beginning toward a wider, deeper examination of the present state of the public affairs media and their stewardship of the First Amendment.
