In class we discussed how engaging readers is quite like getting engaged. It's hard to find "the one" because there are so many people, just like it is hard to decide what news to read because there are so many news organizations to choose from. As a result, people are choosing the most engaging news.
Proponents of public journalism argue that "objectivity" and "balance" have caused people to believe that papers are merely mouthpieces for spokespeople and spin doctors, and that the real stories that affect people's lives rarely see print. The idea is to discover what the people really think, beyond the gripes that appear in letters to the editor.
When I first read this quote, I was confused. Is he saying that people don't want objectivity and balance? In a way, I think so. People want news from sources that reflect their own personal views. That is why some people think FOX news is outrageous, but others love it.
Timothy Griggs, manager of the New York Times, regards journalism as a calling. part of his responsibility includes "helping a community solve problems through engaging journalism." I think that is an excellent goal for journalists. Their journalism should be so engaging that it helps their audience solve problems. All in all, the best thing for a journalist to do is get to know the public that they are trying to reach. The more you know people, the more you know what they want.
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