The Responsible Reporter : Journalism in the Information Age

"Bruce J. Evensen has put together a masterful book. `The Responsible Reporter' epitomizes what a text on writing and reporting should be. It provides superb insight into the writing and reporting process; offers important historical perspective; and best of all, it's well-written. The fact that so many respected contributing authors are included here - people such as Fred Blevens, Dave Davies, Janice Hume, John Pauly, and Sam Riley - is a reflection of the book's excellence. Students will enjoy and benefit from this book." (Mike Murray, University of Missouri Board of Curators' Distinguished Professor; Author of `Media Law and Ethics') "Media content is created by people who have many professional and practical decisions to make. In examining the ways today's journalists gather and process news, this informative and wide-ranging book illuminates the kinds of thinking and writing reporters must master to do their vitally important work well." (Jeffrey A. Smith, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) "Future journalists need the message of this book: keep democracy strong. `The Responsible Reporter' is written with passion, intelligence, and a compelling call to serve public life through accurate, balanced, fair, and thoroughly researched story-telling. Authors model the quality of writing that keeps us wanting more." (Mark Fackler, Professor, Department of Communication Arts and Sciences, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan) "Bruce J. Evensen's latest edition of `The Responsible Reporter' is a cure for the benighted who say journalists have lost their sense of true North. The third edition can be subtle but its intellectual undertow will pull readers into greater ethical strength. His collection of some of the finest thinkers on news reporting in the Information Age lead the reader to one conclusion: Journalism is a high calling and more important today than ever. An added bonus is the prose is a joy to read and may help this generation of journalists and the next one write better because they are better for reading mature thoughts from mature models." (Michael R. Smith, Chair, Department of Mass Communication, Campbell University, Buies Creek, North Carolina) "I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the key role of journalism in a democratic society. This is a book that focuses - in a very modern way - on key themes of social responsibility, examining the way journalists can - and must - serve society. News is at the center of self-governance; the guiding principle of this wonderful book is the idea that journalists must rise to the challenge of a crowded news/infotainment era by continuing to provide key information to citizens/readers/viewers. This book reminds us that journalism is central to democratic self-governance, and that journalists have a great opportunity - and responsibility - to make sure we have the news we need. This book reminds us that journalists today need to adapt, and adapt quickly, if they are to continue to be relevant, and if they are to continue to provide news and information so central to democratic self government. Americans today face a dizzying array of news sources (and fake news sources); the burden is on journalists to make sure that the vital news of the day is presented - and is presented in a way that citizens will absorb. Journalists, as the authors point out, need to take seriously their obligation to research and report the news that makes a civil society possible. This is a `must read' for anyone who values democracy." (Gerald J. Baldasty, Chair, Department of Communication, University of Washington) "Bruce Evensen is a professional with solid foreign reporting experience (I