Frederick Cole Hopes that the Past will Shape the Future of Journalism

            In the age of media convergence and the switch to digital media technology, some of our society’s veteran journalists seem to have worries about what the future of journalism might hold. Among these old-school journalists is Frederick Cole, a retired editor of multiple newspapers across the nation. Today, Cole is working for the Denver Post as an advisor, and doesn’t hesitate to speak his mind about the current condition of the journalism industry, in relation to the system by which journalism education is taught. 

            Cole, 83, lived through the days of Roosevelt, an adored American figure, when radio news was a part of every-day life, and society utilized the media to find comfort in Roosevelt’s words. However, today our citizens know “little of local government,” in the words of Cole himself. Cole believes that a successful journalist must be well-educated in subjects such as philosophy, sociology, economics, literature, and natural sciences, all of which he believes today’s journalist seems to lack. However, the internet today is fills minds with the idea that journalism is only about current events, pop culture, and social issues.

Another issue in Journalism, as Cole believes, is the variety in which Journalism is taught. Journalism education today includes many areas of focus, including broadcast journalism, magazines, photojournalism, and public relations, among others. This is a problem, according to Cole, because, in his words, “You should be turning out graduates who want jobs in the general practice of journalism rather than specialization. That will come later.” Cole himself became a successful editor, and never even attended college.

Cole believes that two of the most important qualities in new journalists are proper spelling and grammar skills, and a sufficient imagination. By imagination, he doesn’t mean colorful, flowery writing. He defines good reporters as those “who have enough imagination to go after the stories that are not usually done and to write them with a style and flair that will excite our readers.”

            Will Cole’s conservative views on new journalism be enough to inspire incoming journalists to keep in touch with the past? Or is the digital transition and new ways of teaching journalism shaping a new and different media structure altogether? In the age of media convergence, only time will tell. However, Cole believes that the news is in for quite a change, for the worse.