Press Release
Free Press Praises Plan for Reconstructing American Journalism
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
WASHINGTON -- Free Press welcomes the release of The Reconstruction of American Journalism, a new report from Columbia University’s School of Journalism by Leonard Downie, Jr., former executive editor of The Washington Post, and Michael Schudson, professor of journalism at Columbia. The report offers a comprehensive overview of journalism in the United States, and outlines key challenges and opportunities for the future of news today.
In the report, Downie and Schudson recommend policy changes to support nonprofit and other emerging media models, new investment in public media, and a federal fund for investigative reporting. The report affirms the vital role of government in securing a strong future for accountability journalism and public affairs reporting.
Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press, made the following statement:
"This new report confirms that we must take action now to help support emerging journalism models that will ensure that our communities get the information they need. Len Downie and Michael Schudson make an urgent case for a national journalism strategy that includes smart government policy, increased foundation support and innovative new business models. This report builds on the work of Free Press and the Knight Commission, and echoes their call for strategic public interest policies to support the future of newsgathering in America.
"The Reconstruction of American Journalism provides the right policy foundation for action, and we encourage journalists, academics, citizens and policy makers to respond. We will all have to work together to push this policy agenda forward."
Read The Reconstruction of American Journalism here: www.cjr.org/reconstruction/the_reconstruction_of_american.php?page=all
Read Free Press' report, Saving Journalism: Toward a National Journalism Strategy, here: http://www.savethenews.org/research
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Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, and universal access to communications. Learn more at www.freepress.net
In the report, Downie and Schudson recommend policy changes to support nonprofit and other emerging media models, new investment in public media, and a federal fund for investigative reporting. The report affirms the vital role of government in securing a strong future for accountability journalism and public affairs reporting.
Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press, made the following statement:
"This new report confirms that we must take action now to help support emerging journalism models that will ensure that our communities get the information they need. Len Downie and Michael Schudson make an urgent case for a national journalism strategy that includes smart government policy, increased foundation support and innovative new business models. This report builds on the work of Free Press and the Knight Commission, and echoes their call for strategic public interest policies to support the future of newsgathering in America.
"The Reconstruction of American Journalism provides the right policy foundation for action, and we encourage journalists, academics, citizens and policy makers to respond. We will all have to work together to push this policy agenda forward."
Read The Reconstruction of American Journalism here: www.cjr.org/reconstruction/the_reconstruction_of_american.php?page=all
Read Free Press' report, Saving Journalism: Toward a National Journalism Strategy, here: http://www.savethenews.org/research
###
Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, and universal access to communications. Learn more at www.freepress.net
