[AEJMC Newspaper Division list] division name

[Bill Reader]

Susan -- I read your arguments for changing the division name, or at  
least modifying it. You make many good points, but I worry that such  
an effort would be akin to creating a solution before there is a  
problem.

-- first, "Newspaper" already has been normalized as a generic term  
to include print and online variants of newspaper products (indeed,  
we have been talking about "online newspapers" for more than a  
decade). It seems as if the name change now would be reacting to an  
identity crisis that the industry itself resolved years ago, at least  
regarding nomenclature. I can't think of many people in the industry  
who don't already think of online publishing as part of "newspapering."

-- second, of course, is the organizational turf war this effort  
could launch within AEJMC. Every other medium-oriented division and  
IG also include online issues -- RTV includes "online media,"  
Magazine includes "online media," etc. This effort could lead to  
widespread additions of "online" to division names, which would  
dilute the term or, worse, create bad politics among different  
divisions.

-- third, of course, is the cultural capital of the word "newspaper."  
"Radio" and "television" both have easily made the cultural  
transition to online, such that people listen/watch both online and  
"offline." Newspapers are pretty much the same -- people read many  
"newspapers" online, but still refer to the medium as "the  
newspaper." "Newspapers" have a very distinct and important role in  
society, even though newspapers have long tinkered with both radio  
and TV (and now online) as alternative ways of distributing news. I  
think keeping the division name as is would be a demonstration of  
strength, confidence, and security in society's most established and  
influential news medium.

I think a much more useful and influential effort would be to not  
change the name of the division, but to craft a short, clear subtitle  
to attach to the name every time it is used: "for the study of  
online, print, and alternative newspapers." Or something like that.

But, if the membership agrees to go with some kind of name change, I  
suggest "Newspaper Journalism Division," which would focus the  
division on the journalistic aspects (rather than the business/ 
management aspects) of the industry.

Hope this helps the leadership of the Newspaper Division.

All best,

Bill R.

--------------------

Bill Reader, assistant professor
E.W. Scripps School of Journalism
102 Scripps Hall
Ohio University
Athens, OH, 45701
740.597.1294
reader at ohio.edu
http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~reader

-- 2007-08 chair, Community Journalism Interest Group, AEJMC


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