, 9 tweets, 2 min read
My Authors
Read all threads
I'm not going to add hot takes on the Northwestern student paper's decisions; there are plenty. But I am going to raise a few higher issues this episode brings out: 1/
First, I worry that journalism will cease to protect, to fight for, that which is public. That is what we report on, monitor, witness, share. The presumption of a right to privacy in public could kill journalism faster than any bad business model. 2/
I wrote "Public Parts" because I was celebrating the expansion of the public, the spreading of the franchise of publicness, the generosity of sharing. I was also defending that which is public for the sake of journalism. These were not popular positions; less popular now. 3/
Next: Whom do we as journalists serve: he public or the subject? We debate that constantly in #socialj. We should not be extractive. We should be empathetic. We must listen. But sometimes we also must tell uncomfortable truths, truths that can be inconvenient for subjects. 4/
So who dictates the journalism we do? Do our subjects? It's not an easy question. But it's a question that goes to the heart of our definition of independence as journalists. Independent of advertisers, corporate overlords, powerful sources? Yes. Of our subjects? 5/
Whether they realize it or not, these are the issues the NU students are grappling with. I don't agree with all their answers. But we, their Twitter elders, should engage at a higher level. 6/
I tell my students constantly that it is their job to reimagine, redefine journalism, to question how we got here and find a better path. It's my job as a teacher and an elder to help them. The NU story is an opportunity for debate and learning. 7/
Much more difficult than any of that, of course, are matters of race, including mainstream media's still-appalling record in diversity and the net's role in finally empowering voices too long not heard in media. 8/
That is part of what the editor of the Northwestern paper is grappling with. We need to listen to him about that. 9/
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh.

Enjoying this thread?

Keep Current with Jeff Jarvis

Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

Twitter may remove this content at anytime, convert it as a PDF, save and print for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video

1) Follow Thread Reader App on Twitter so you can easily mention us!

2) Go to a Twitter thread (series of Tweets by the same owner) and mention us with a keyword "unroll" @threadreaderapp unroll

You can practice here first or read more on our help page!

Follow Us on Twitter!

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!


This site is made by just three indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3.00/month or $30.00/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!