Author: Tom Doerr, President of the Press Club of Southwest Florida
-
As soon as Gail read my response, she gave me that look. She knew I had fallen off the wagon. As the wife of a recovering optimist, she recognized all the telltale signs. It always starts the same way—with a baselessly positive reaction to bad news. A Press Club colleague had sent a breaking news email: The White…
-
When watching local television in Southwest Florida, it’s impossible to miss the relentless stream of personal injury lawyers advertising their services. It’s safe to estimate that about 20 lawyers and law firms regularly promote themselves through local TV ads. Personal injury lawsuits are a lucrative industry in Florida and a critical revenue source for advertiser-supported…
-
The public’s loss of trust in journalism stems partly from the deep ideological divisions within the United States. Another significant factor is the damage media organizations have inflicted on themselves. Three defamation cases illustrate how lapses in journalistic standards can result in costly consequences, both financially and reputationally, for all journalists. Late last year, ABC…
-
The journalism industry faces significant challenges. Across platforms, journalism remains dependent mainly on advertisers—a relationship that can be both a blessing and a curse. Despite the tension, advertising and journalism often coexist. Advertisers, particularly in broadcasting, seek exposure in news programming and pay a premium for it. However, conflicts arise when the news department develops…
-
Meta’s decision to abandon independent fact-checking on Facebook should concern journalists. CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced a transition to a Community Notes model, under which Facebook users will monitor the accuracy of posts and add corrective comments when necessary. This shift may not directly affect individual journalists or news organizations. However, it raises concerns about diminishing…
-
As a young media consultant many years ago, nothing frightened me more than a client asking, “What will my business look like in five years?” Twenty-five years later, the question is even scarier. Today’s question should be, “What will our business look like in six months?” Predicting the future of journalism is, at best, only…
You must be logged in to post a comment.