A need for critical thinkers

Professor Goldstein on the future of print journalism, skills and values students need, and more.

April 16, 2017 05:00 pm | Updated 05:00 pm IST

At Jindal School of Journalism and Communication.

At Jindal School of Journalism and Communication.

Professor Tom Goldstein, who formerly served as dean of journalism schools at Columbia and Berkeley, has worked with international publications including the Associated Press (AP), Newsday, Wall Street Journal and New York Times. He was also a member of the Pulitzer Prize Board. Prof. Goldstein was recently appointed as the founding dean of the Jindal School of Journalism and Communication (JSJC) of O.P. Jindal Global University. Excerpts from an interview.

Thoughts on the future of journalism, and print journalism in particular.

Let me speak in the U.S. context, because that is the world I know best. This is a tumultuous period for journalism. On the one hand, I think journalism is of higher quality than it has ever been. But print journalism is in trouble — not because its journalism is weak, but because (i) advertising, which has been the traditional way of financing journalism, has declined precipitously and (ii) new technologies are threatening the traditional paper-on-ink model.

Significance of formal training for studying journalism.

I do not think formal training is obligatory (at least in the United States), but I do think it is a very good idea. I will be the first to admit that going to journalism school is not for everyone interested in a career in journalism. That said, journalism school has great advantages. A student can sample all different types of journalism in a collegial atmosphere where great attention is paid to that student’s work. One-on-one editing is the best way to learn journalism.

The best decision I made in my educational career was to go to journalism school at Columbia University. I still have the edited copies of papers I submitted as a student many decades ago. I learned lessons that lasted me a career. Given my personal experience, it is no wonder that I am a big fan of journalism education.

Skills and values students need.

As for “values,” students must have an abiding dedication to the truth and a keen sense of empathy. As for “skills,” prospective journalists need to know how to think fast, how to be resourceful and how to exercise wise judgment. They will surely need to know how to use new technologies, but technologies come and go (for instance, I learned on a manual typewriter and a rotary phone). I am most interested in students being astute critical thinkers.

Role at Jindal School of Journalism and Communication.

I will be the “founding dean” which gives me the opportunity to help shape the staff, curriculum and student body. I plan to do lots of reading and interviewing teachers and practitioners.

What students should keep in mind before entering this field.

I hope that students never lose their idealism. But they need to balance this idealism with practical realities. Journalists work very hard for modest compensation, but the job is extremely fulfilling.

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