Wendell Defends Journalism v.

"Historically, it was journalists who held politicians' feet to the fire," Cochran said.

"The cop has left the beat," a journalist said, via Cochran.

Washington Watchdogs: An Endangered Species?

Who's Who on the Panel?

--Mark Whitaker, senior VP and Washington bureau chief, NBC News
-- Melinda Wittstock, founder and CEO of Capitol News Connection
-- Suzanne Struglinski, former president of the Regional Reporters Association
-- Tyler Marshall, Pulitzer-prize winning journalist and author of a Project for Excellence in Journalism (PEJ) study on Washington journalism

'What's the Hope' for Journalism Students? Cochran asks.

Struglinski: You are in the "front seat to history." 7:58 p.m.

Whitaker: There is great room for "entrepreneurship" now because the industry is changing so rapidly. No need to slave away as an intern for 10 years. Get in there, suggest alternatives and get things done! 7:58 p.m.

Marshall: "I never wanted to grow up." Chasing the story keeps this award-winning author young-at-heart. 7:59 p.m.

Instant News

Struglinski: Everyone blogs in media now. Blogs are "another outlet" for news. 7: 53 p.m.

Wittstock: You must be accurate and speedy.

Does the Profit Model Need to Go?

Shouldn't journalists do their job for the story, not the money, asks an SOC student.

Cochran's answer: With government funding, comes greater government control over media, as seen in Italy.

How Does a Graduating Student Get a Job?

Struglinski: Reporting in any capacity is better than not working in the industry. Writing online still counts as journalism.
Whitaker: Multimedia and writing skills are what you need.
Wittstock: Be curious! Ask the "dumb questions."
7:43 p.m.

Is the Internet to Blame for Current Decrease in Print News?

Whitaker: "It's partly our [mainstream media's] fault" because content was given away for free at the beginning of the Web.

It's also Craigslist.com, Ebay.com, Amazon.com, etc etc etc.com, because people go to social networking sites and online shopping venues to find a new car, couch, coffee grinder, instead of looking in the daily newspaper for what is on sale. Advertisers have less incentive to publish in print.

And the Internet can hire you! Bloggers can be paid.
7:42 p.m.

Isn't All News Local?

Wittstock:
Money > Matter for Editors
"Journalism deserves better...readers deserve better" than webcasts as main sources of info.

Panelists are throwing around back-door information stories. 7:30 p.m.

Melinda Wittstock

"Not rich" are public radio stations, but you don't need money to see and hear what is going on, Wittstock says.
Journalists need to be the "eyes and ears" for Main Street.

Mark Whitaker

People are still watching the news!
Politics and the economy....
Television is not hit as hard as newspapers.
Whitaker's biggest worry, folks: "information that we get [now lost] from confidential sources."
ie: Government "whistleblowers" are becoming a rarity because veteran journalists, with the best relationships and ties in government, are losing their jobs.

Tyler Marshall

Marshall's study found three major trends in Washington reporting:
1) Staff positions are declining sharply in all mainstream media venues, no surprise there.
2) Washington press corps "transforming itself and changing its shape."
3) Rise of "niche" media, a "very eclectic grouping:"
Ex: Politico.com, TheHill.com
Content is "deep and narrow," Marshall said.

Absolute silence, save for a few sniffles, poundings on keyboards and coughs. 6:56p.m.

Moderators chomping at the bit, sort of like racehorses before they take off out of the chutes. (3 minutes to go just announced) 6:57 p.m.

I feel like we're counting down to New Years!...(not really, wouldn't be my first choice of a venue to bring in the new year) 6:59 p.m.

Wendell Cochran, Associate Professor, School of Communication begins. 7:00 p.m.