Common Sense Journalism

An extension of the Common Sense Journalism monthly column by Doug Fisher, former broadcaster, newspaper reporter and wire service editor. From new media to old, much of journalism is just plain common sense.

"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Unknown (often improperly attributed to Thomas Jefferson)

"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it." - Upton Sinclair

"Common sense is not so common" - Voltaire "Common sense is instinct; enough of it is genius" - George Bernard Shaw

Thursday, October 27, 2005

'Watch the people, not the rats'

The Florida Press Club graciously invited me this year to reflect on the status of journalism as the keynote speaker at its annual meeting in Orlando.

My conclusion: It may seem bleak at times, but it need not be if we do some basic things:

Ask forcefully what our journalism is worth.
Understand rapid relevance.
Bet on the jockey, not the horse
Watch the people, not the rats
Take heart in Sumner Redstone's observation that "in the 21st century, large is no longer in charge."

Read the full text of the speech. Then tell me what you think.

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Common Sense Journalism Yes, I do seminars and consulting. Among those I have worked with are the SNPA Traveling Campus, S.C. Press Association, N.Y. Press Association, Georgia Press Association, Mississippi Press Association, Virginia Press Association, Landmark Community Newspapers, American Copy Editors Society, Society of Professional Journalists, Lancaster (S.C.) News, The (Rock Hill, S.C.) Herald, The (Sumter, S.C.) Item, the Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration. Contact me for more information.

Common Sense Journalism

Thursday, October 27, 2005

'Watch the people, not the rats'

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