Scribble Chat: Entrepreneurship in Journalism
As journalism's role in society changes, so does the role of the journalist. How can a reporter stay relevant? Are journalism schools focusing on this aspect of the media evolution?Join us as we bring in 2013 Michener-Deacon Fellow and CBC reporter Julie Ireton and Nieman Journalism Lab founder and director Joshua Benton to address these questions.
-
Entrepreneurship in journalism came up in the Canadian Journalism Foundation's J-Talk last week, "Turning Digital into Dollars." Benton moderated the panel discussion, which included some of Canada's top publishers: Phillip Crawley, publisher of The Globe and Mail; John Cruickshank, publisher of the Toronto Star; Gerry Nott, senior vice-president of the eastern region, Postmedia Network; and André Pratte, editorial pages editor of La Presse.From the talk:CJF J-Talk: Turning Digital into Dollars
J-Source LiveBenton now asking about the entrepreneurial spirit of journalism in Canada vs. that in the U.S. Nott says there have been ones who tried (OpenFile, etc.), but he feels that it's largely journalism schools that don't foster that in their students here in Canada.CJF J-Talk: Turning Digital into Dollars
J-Source LiveBenton says many journos he spoke to were troubled by lack of startup culture or entrepreneurial journalism in Canada compared to US #CJFjtalk -
In J-Source's liveblog of the talk, Belinda Alzner also mentioned the article "Hey, j-schools: Do your students a favour and teach them entrepreneurial skills," written in 2012 by then third-year Carleton University student Arik Ligeti:
More journalism schools, more graduates, grimmer job prospects.
So far it seems like I’m just ranting — acknowledged. But if there are fewer opportunities and increased competition, then I believe it becomes, at least in part, the job of the educational institution to help prepare its students to adapt to an industry that increasingly demands its workers to sell themselves. Journalism has become an entrepreneurial endeavour. We’re expected to create online portfolios, blog, tweet and establish a presence as a way to stand out to potential employers. I want an employer to open their “Where’s Waldo?” book and find me.
What I’m saying is: Schools need to give us the skill-set that will allow us to become entrepreneurs – whether that means launching our own ventures, or simply being able to make a living as a freelancer.
-
Good afternoon, and welcome to our Scribble Chat today on Entrepreneurship in Journalism.
-
-
Julie Ireton
Julie Ireton is a CBC Reporter and the 2013 Michener-Deacon Fellow.
Julie is currently researching Entrepreneurial “Start-up” Journalism and developing a workshop course on this topic for Carleton University’s School of Journalism. She’s a critical thinker with strengths investigating issues and drawing out unique, compelling, human narratives. Julie has produced programming at CBC Radio and TV for the past 19 years, including more than a decade as CBC’s Business and Technology reporter. She has reported from all over North America and Asia. Julie has won several awards, fellowships and produced hundreds of original pieces of impact journalism.Twitter: @JulieIretonby Allendria
Joshua BentonJoshua Benton is the founder and director of the Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard University, an effort to help journalism adapt to the Internet age.Before spending a year at Harvard as a 2008 Nieman Fellow, he was an investigative reporter, columnist, foreign correspondent, and rock critic for two newspapers, The Dallas Morning News and The Toledo Blade. Before that, he attended Yale University, studying history.Twitter: @jbentonby Allendria1 of 2
-
-
-
I stand ready to talk entrepreneurship in journalism. Who doesn't like more jobs for journalists?
-
In Canada and in the United States, for a very long time, the media business was relatively stable.
-
Indeed!
So let's begin. My first question is very basic: Is entrepreneurship in journalism a new concept? If so, how?