[AEJMC Newspaper Division list] The Identity of the Newspaper Division

[Lambeth, Edmund]

Colleagues,

As we write and speak, the medium that still originates the most
comprehensive, accurate, and relevant news is - with few exceptions - the
newspaper, whether it be local, state, national, or international news.
True, newspapers have suffered economically in recent years. That cable,
mobile, and other new electronic technologies are urgently significant and
important players in digital news is not a sufficient reason to change the
name of the division.

Paul Steinle is right in emphasizing that print advertising continues to pay
most of the bills of newspapers. Never before in my memory as a journalist
teacher or researcher in journalism (since the 1950s) have the newspaper
industry and philanthropic foundations committed as much money to  schools
of journalism as partners in the discovery of creative ways to deploy
digital technology. Nor will democracy be well served by consigning the
newspaper to a lesser standing in AEJMC if we forget how well that medium
still provides the most reliable guide to citizens on what issues are
currently the most important public issues we need to face.

Ed Lambeth, Missouri, Emeritus