McDonaldization of Journalism

[OnBackground]

There is an interesting thread at Loyal Opposition on journalism in light of a recent story on Ehrlich and Bush's style versus substance approach to politics.

One of the arguments that the newspapers make these days is that few people read in depth and that papers are thereby justified in moving toward a USA Today-style format that emphasizes pretty pictures, bright graphics, and easy-to-read, short articles. If you read most daily papers in mid-sized cities you'll find that many editors agree that we are just not reading. As businesses, one can hardly blame them for catering to their customers.

Solid journalism and in particular, strong investigative reporting, does exist, though. In particular, a set of investigative pieces last year in the LA Times went into detail on influence and opportunities available to the children of Members of Congress, focusing on Rep. Curt Weldon (R-PA) and Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV).

These, and pieces like them in publications like the Washington Post, Atlantic Monthly, and the NY Times, among others, are hard-hitting and in-depth. The question is, do we read them?

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. kick

[DulceDecorum]

2. Yes, we read them, WHEN they are available, which is seldom

and that is why we have all congregated here online
to maximize our chances of finding such reading material.

[BlackVelvetElvis]

3. I am required to subscribe to the NYT.

because I'm taking a polysci class. I got a great deal too.
I can't tell you how much I've missed reading a great in-depth paper. I spend about an hour and a half reading it as opposed to the 15 reading the local.
For instance: our local paper only printed the basics on the bush budget. The NYT printed extensively on it and showed various visuals (graphs). It was then, that I understood why my professor required a subscription.
I also realized what a deal I got for a short term subscription when I saw what they charge for a yearly subscription: $27 opposed to almost $700. I wish I could afford it.
Most of all, I wish my local paper printed a hard-hitting, intriguing story more than once every couple of years. It seems like they are in the business of not stepping on anyone's toes. Then again, my local paper didn't endorse ANYONE during the 2004 election-one of the few papers with it's circulation to do so.