[AEJMC Newspaper Division list] (no subject)

[Kathleen Wickham]

Susan: Thank you for posting the name change issue on the list-serv. 
I've enjoyed reading the robust discussion.
	I am torn. As a former newspaper reporter (10 years in New Jersey) my 
heart is in the newsroom and in the term Newspaper Division. I know  
newspaper are facing stiff economic times. But I also know that the 
online version originates in that print newsroom.  And I know that what 
we do: reporting, writing and  editing contributes to the community and 
has an important role in a democracy. 	I am also aware that broadcast 
outlets also  use the online world as part of its mission and 
connections with the community. Their goals mirror newspaper goals.
	And, of course then there are all those forms of what I call 
independent news sources that may or may to meet the same journalistic 
standards. Bloggers, citizen journalists, virtual worlds and other 
forms developed and still not even conceived.
	As a former Newspaper Division head (2006-2007) I  recognize that 
problem Susan is trying to countered with the name change--decreased 
membership and decreased paper submissions. The issue is not just about 
recognizing our heritage but about positioning ourselves for the 
future. And certainly expanded editions in our paper calls and on our 
list-serv would help to educate researchers seeking a home.
	 I also recognize the importance, value  and wonderful diversity of 
AEJMC's many divisions  and interest groups. It would be inappropriate 
to rename our division the Journalism Division for all members of AEJMC 
are committed to journalism.
	In fact, as I was preparing this post I had a conversation with an 
officer with RTVJ re: this very issue. Their list-serv  has also been 
busy this week discussing our conversation. What they object to most, 
according to my friend, is that Newspaper would lay claim to Journalism 
as its title. That suggestion is viewed as arrogant and insulting.
	As I  pondered  this issue  during a long drive this weekend, I came 
up with two titles for consideration: News  Media Division or  
Newspaper/Online News Division. I  prefer  the latter as it recognizes 
that "newspaper" can be viewed as a generic definition of what we do 
(producing an independent source of news  important in a democracy) yet 
encompasses online realities.
	I would reject some of the other suggestions as too banal: New media 
(its been around for over a decade so it is hardly new--I wrote a book 
on Online Journalism in 1997) and   News-Editorial reads like a course 
sequence.

Kathleen Wickham


   *******************
Dr. Kathleen Woodruff Wickham
Associate Professor
Graduate program director
P.O. Box 1848
131 Farley Hall
The University of Mississippi
University, Miss. 38677
e-mail: kwickham at olemiss.edu
phone: 662-915-5501
fax: 662-915-7765
_____
Author of:
Math Tools for Journalists
Marion Street Press
www.marionstreetpress.com