Journalism: Why It Matters

by Michael Schudson

Despite the criticisms that have been leveled at news organizations in recent years and the many difficulties they face, journalism matters. It matters, argues Schudson, because it orients people daily in the complex and changing worlds in which they live. It matters because it offers a fact-centered, documented approach to pertinent public issues. It matters because it keeps watch on the powerful, especially those in government, and can press upon them unpleasant truths to which they must respond. Corruption is stemmed, unwise initiatives stopped, public danger averted because of what journalists do.

This book challenges journalists to think hard about what they really do. It challenges skeptical news audiences to be mindful not only of media bias but also of their own biases and how these can distort their perception. And it holds out hope that journalism will be for years to come a path for ambitious, curious young people who love words or pictures or numbers and want to use them to improve the public conversation in familiar ways or in ways yet to be imagined.

Genres: Journalism

128 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2020

About the author

Michael Schudson grew up in Milwaukee, Wisc. He received a B.A. from Swarthmore College and M.A. and Ph.D. in sociology from Harvard. He taught at the University of Chicago from 1976 to 1980 and at the University of California, San Diego from 1980 to 2009. From 2005 on, he split his teaching between UCSD and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, becoming a full-time member of the Columbia faculty in 2009.

He is the author of seven books and co-editor of three others concerning the history and sociology of the American news media, advertising, popular culture, Watergate and cultural memory. He is the recipient of a number of honors; he has been a Guggenheim fellow, a resident fellow at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, Palo Alto, and a MacArthur Foundation "genius" fellow. In 2004, he received the Murray Edelman distinguished career award from the political communication section of the American Political Science Association and the International Communication Association.

Schudson's articles have appeared in the Columbia Journalism Review, Wilson Quarterly, and The American Prospect, and he has published op-eds in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Newsday, the Financial Times, and The San Diego Union.

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read on the hopes and ambitions of journalism. I’m not a skeptic by any means when it comes to news media but I found the authors views to be rather utopian, like great in theory but highly unlikely (if I have more time I will elaborate one day…).

[I Read, Therefore I Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael Schudson is a sociologist, historian and Professor of Journalism at Columbia University. This is a well-constructed, clearly argued book that sets out what journalism should be and why it is important and I did not disagree with any of his arguments. However Schudson doesn’t really tackle news media ownership and how ownership determines editorial direction and content, thereby undermining trust in journalism and increasing skepticism.

[Isabella Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

for class #smart #journalism it was actually good

[James Cross · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine I read it for class

[Liv Harlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a journalist, I am both grateful for and disappointed in this read. It certainly answers part of the question re: why journalism matters, but it misses a whole lot as well. Journalism isn’t just about watchdog reporting and holding politicians/ those in power accountable; it’s about connecting humanity. Though the book touches on this, it’s not at all emphasized nearly as much as the first point. I appreciate the idea behind the book but have mixed feelings... Seems like untapped potential to do a real service to the profession. It wasn’t the “YES, THANK YOU! THIS IS WHAT [INSERT CONSERVATIVE “FAKE NEWS MEDIA” TYPE] NEED TO READ” that I was hoping it’d be.

[Turquoise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short thoughtful read about what journalism contributes to a functioning society. This would be helpful for students and anyone who wants to reflect on this important institution. The author does a nice job engaging with changes stemming from mass digitalization and convincingly claiming that the Internet is not the root of all problems that journalism faces.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

this wasn’t really what i expected it to be. it goes more into the history of journalism, print vs digital and theories of journalism. i think i wanted something moreso about the importance of journalism in our current culture. overall it was smart and well researched, just not really for me

[Maggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This man will right to you like he is literally Lemony Snicket. He really was out here explaining the phrase “If I were in your shoes”.

[salchupup · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 estrellas.

Muuuy buen libro. Da una perspectiva compleja y fundamentada sobre el asunto, pero aún así dinámica.