Warblog: World War III posts about the

difference between ‘journalism’ and ‘media’.

Journalism is inward looking; it’s inside

baseball; it’s about us and how we do what we do in the

business of journalism. Media is outward looking; it’s about

listening to the audience.

Journalism is a craft, a trade, a skill. I went to J-school

and I did learn things there (mostly from a sports writer who

taught us how to write crime stories and also from actually

working on newspapers). I learned how to write a lead and ask a

question; I learned the tricks of my trade. But then I became a

TV critic and started a magazine about media and now I oversee

a bunch of eagerly interactive web sites, which is really just

about playing host to the audience’s party. I made the shift

from journalism to media long ago and never regretted

it.

And that isn’t even the meatiest part.

…..To study media, you will have to leave

other prejudices behind — for example, that TV is a cultural

wasteland (rubbish; TV produces more quality entertainment than

movies and books combined today); or that the mass audience has

nothing to say (look at weblogs especially or at the forums on

my site and

you will eavesdrop on amazing

conversations)…..

Good thoughts, good piece. I wish I could write like that.