[AEJMC Newspaper Division list] New name for Newspaper Division?

[Bob Stepno]

We talk about Web "pages" where no physical pages are involved and "freedom
of the press" where no pressing goes on. I think "newspaper" is a fine name
to use for any 21st century Web site that features news and that may or may
not print an edition using ink and paper... text, pictures, video, audio,
traditional, alternative or online-only.

(I use "online newspaper" as an inclusive term when referring to CNN's Web
site, NPR, MSNBC, the late Nando.net or the New Haven Independent. I
encourage others to do the same.)

The name "Newspaper Division" -- with a short mission-statement subtitle --
is my first choice. My second choice would be "News Division." Third would
be (listen to the feathers ruffle) "Journalism Division." The line beneath
that headline on the division Web site should tell the story.

So what /do/  division members study enough to present in that subtitle? If
there's a division whose member can write a great subhead, this must be it!
Mine may be  verbose and too inclusive, but it's a try:

"Focused on the reporting, editing, uses (and gratifications), business,
culture and significance of the traditional, alternative and online news
media."

I'm sorry that I won't be in Chicago to talk about this in person. We also
might note parallel organizations: Our interest in business aspects of the
formerly pulp-based newspaper industry parallels that of
http://www.inma.org-- which now says its "N" stands for "Newsmedia";
our interest in the
practice of news and information gathering, editing and presentation links
us with SPJ, ASNE and ACES. And so on.

I'm also rushing out to trademark the title "Traditional, Alternative and
Online: The TAO of Newswork."

cheers,

Bob Stepno
mild-mannered division web editor
http://aejmc.net/newspaper

http://stepno.com http://stepno.com/blog http://www.radford.edu/comm
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