All Time High James O'Shea and the Complexity of Journalism
Dec 20, 2021
In this engaging discussion, veteran journalist James O'Shea shares insights from his extensive career as a former editor at the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times. He delves into the complexities of today's fast-paced journalism and the growing bias in media. O'Shea argues that current reporting prioritizes speed over accuracy, risking quality and trust. He also tackles the notion that negative news predominates because it resonates more with audiences, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to storytelling in an evolving media landscape.
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Communication Has Been Atomized
- The digital revolution enabled everyone to communicate, creating a cacophony of voices and eroding a single trusted source.
- People now struggle to know which outlets to trust, weakening the shared informational basis democracy needs.
Legacy News Shrinkage Raised Bias
- Large legacy news organizations declined but once provided broad, objective coverage by seeking opposing views.
- Their contraction left gaps filled by partisan or niche voices, increasing perceived media bias.
Choose Context Over Being First
- Prioritize context over immediacy: step back and place new developments into broader background before publishing.
- Aim to be right rather than first, even on the internet where speed pressures dominate.
