Journalism Schools and Podcasts

Journalism Schools in the U.S. used to be about spreading the word, arming students with tools for working in newspapers, magazines, radio, television and in public relations for organizations. I’m saying used to, because the internet and cellphones have changed news collection and dissemination.

Students are also taught the First Amendment and how it applies to reporters, and reporters’ privilege in particular. The reporter writes a story. It is published in a newspaper or appears on television. Someone doesn’t like it and takes the matter to court to force the reporter to reveal his/her sources. Who supplied the information?

Reporters have a limited right not to reveal sources. Limited, because it depends on the case itself. There is a lot of case law about reporters' privilege, if you have time to read all about it and how it works in different states.

Then comes podcasts. They have changed the area of operation, which used to be a physical newsroom. Now it’s online, and sources reporters used to protect are singing like canaries, because they have podcasts and YouTube channels. How do journalism schools handle this? Do they still teach the First Amendment privilege?

What aggravates matters is that the internet has narrowed the gap between hard news and opinion. There’s also the poison called fake news. Does the First Amendment apply to online opinion?

By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.