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Special Lecture by Prof. Jeff Jarvis on 'Engagement Journalism'
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Sandra Cyriac
5:33
Hello and welcome to the special lecture on 'Engagement Journalism' by Prof. Jeff Jarvis, Director, Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism, Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, CUNY, New York.
5:35
Professor Jeff Jarvis talks about how revolutionaries of journalism are the ones who make a change. He says, " Rethink, reinvent journalism."
5:37
He feels journalism must be conceived as a service to people. He asserts the need to know what our community requires.
5:38
He asserts that the very first skill required for engagement journalism is listening. Journalists are storytellers.
5:41
He adds, how in the United States, journalism is not well-trusted, since the 1970s. He goes on to say that the root cause of this issue is representation. According to him, media being run by old, white men is a major problem.
5:42
He gives the example of George Floyd to give a reality check. He regards that as a great example of Journalism.
5:43
5:45
He views technology to be an important aspect that not only changed Journalism and media by allowing mass production but also because it led to a change in society. The view of society changed completely, and not just community-based.
5:47
He further states that, unlike print media, social journalism aims to bring in more engagement.
5:49
Prof. Jarvis mentions, " We tell students to observe and listen." He points out the importance of identifying the needs of the communities. He asserts that story-telling is only a part of journalism and that other tools are equally valuable.
5:52
He advises shifting our thinking from 'studying journalism' to 'studying the internet'. He makes it clear that the internet is not a medium. He says, "Media is the subset of the internet." He explains media as just one sector of Journalism.
5:55
He perceives Journalism's definition to be - "To convene communities into respectful, formed conversations". He opines that respect is an issue as it comes from power. He adds that understanding the business of journalism is important to turn around the method and medium of journalism.
5:57
He considers engagement journalism to be all about doing things differently and with an urge to always find a better way.
6:01
To the question on what all of this would mean in the future in about ten years, from the audience, he mentioned that there were no much knowledge about technology in the past. It took over hundred years for the society to realize the importance of Gutenberg invention and other landmark inventions. Hence, he felt it is hard to imagine what it would be like. At the same time, he reassures the need to adapt to the technologies.
6:05
On another question on whether journalism would become a subset of anthropology, he points out that anthropology is mainly about observation, which is important but not the only aspect necessary. He also gives the example of advertising.
6:07
He goes on to talk about the problems of Whatsapp Journalism. He feels it is our duty to find a solution.
6:08
6:12
To a question relating to the authenticity of news in the Indian context, Jeff speaks about how does social media help people restore their faith in journalism. He does not defend the internet but believes that there are misconceptions about Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, etc.
6:14
While opining about the misconceptions regarding social media, he claims, "We miss seeing people who are on it. We need to focus on the individuals instead of institutions." He thinks that people tweet differently and thus it’s a mistake to look at the monolith of the big company.
6:15
Jeff thinks that journalists too often insult the public they serve. Doing that would mean turning backs on Black Lives Matter and #Me Too movements.
6:17
Do you think social media is a reliable source to consume news?
Yes (63.6% | 7 votes)
 
No (36.4% | 4 votes)
 
Total Votes: 11
6:18
Talking further Jeff asserts that people in media must be made more public-literate. They must understand people’s lives better and respect them. It is important to give them the chance to be heard.
6:21
Jeff calls the tendency to blame the internet as "moral panic on the internet". He believes that the internet gives voice to the voiceless. He exemplifies it by stating how social media amplifies voices in crucial issues like racism.
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