The Future of Media

Many believe that the era of print journalism is on the decline, however seasoned newspaper editor Fredrick Cole thinks the whole industry is taking a nose dive. Cole recently sat down for an interview to discuss his thoughts on journalism education in modern times.

Cole, 83, has been editor for many major newspapers across the country, including The Chicago Sun, the Houston Chronicle, and the San Francisco Examiner. Though he never graduated high school, he has some strong opinions on the proper procedures to teach and ultimately accept the reporters and editors of tomorrow. Cole got his education in the newsroom and learned both culture and English.

“I'm not sure that youngsters take to learning the way we did,” he said of current day education. “And this is showing up in the young men and women who come into the newsroom as beginners.”

Cole is concerned that schools are leaving our next generation media workers unprepared, the main point being that students can’t write as well and the grammar bar is being lowered.

“Too many applicants lack a working knowledge of the English language. Some can't spell.”

A study released in 2009 by the Department of Education shows that American school children are learning basic language skills and usage at slower and more inefficient rates every year.

However, it’s not just the spelling that has gotten worse. Up and coming news people may also lack the basic background knowledge and culture that will put their writing on the cutting edge. Old school concepts are still tirelessly taught without consideration of new age journalism or the current average attention span of Americans. Cole even believes that morale and work ethic is at a new low.

“We're getting too many hopefuls who lack a background in economics, literature, philosophy, sociology and the natural sciences. They know little of local government. And they can't even report to the office on time.”

Cole has a reputation as a tough editor, but he isn’t the tyrant he’s been made out to be. He’s just concerned for the future of his craft in this country. The sophistication and validity of media may not be on the brink of imminent disaster, but it is something we need to start thinking about.

To help us along, Fredrick Cole has offered us a couple tidbits of advice to keep things rolling smoothly

“You should be turning out graduates who want jobs in the general practice of journalism rather than specialization. That will come later.

If students can't dig, write or spell, counsel them—or flunk them out. You'll be doing them a favor, for we don't want them.”