Journalists from around the world have common concerns and curiosity, as three separate gatherings in the past three weeks have reminded me.
Whether they are from China, the Middle East, or Europe, many of our reporting colleagues are wondering when and whether a new business model will be found. Economic pressures continue to challenge nearly all sectors of the profession. I even heard some express concerns about reduction among the older ranks of journalists in Africa. Institutional memory and experienced talent is at risk in many places.
If they are from countries like Mexico or Pakistan, they likely continue to have concerns about their safety, since those are among the most dangerous countries in the world for working journalists.
These trips are organized by the U.S. State Department, with the underlying hope of encouraging democracies, emerging and otherwise, around the world. I've been fortunate to have been included in these discussions relative to my many years as an officer and as president of the National Press Club.
I also found that some journalists share concerns that I hear voiced by members of the American public. Some, including two from Turkey and the Caribbean, expressed fatigue regarding the length of the U.S. presidential campaign. Regarding the election, one journalist suggested that voters have been disappointed in the wake of hopes raised by then-aspiring candidate Obama. A couple, maybe more, commented in negative terms about Republican Mitt Romney's overseas trip.
Where it went off the tracks recently involved Russian journalists. One suggested that there essentially has been a cover-up, or at least a wholesale downplaying of the Occupy Wall Street movement. I tried to explain that it was a top story for many days running, but that it essentially ran out of a storyline, not to mention the movement itself appears to have cooled, perhaps for lack of a central unifying theme and decentralized leadership. The cold war may be over, but there are persisting tensions running between Moscow and Washington.
On more upbeat themes, several of the journalists said they enjoy watching "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart, concerned that young people might rely too much on it and less on the news media for their information. One was curious about speaking fees charged by celebrities and others, asking specifically about Sarah Palin. I did note that the NPC had been unsuccessful in getting Palin to speak at the Club last year.
I even had a question from a journalist from the Middle East asking what happened with Rick Sanchez who used to anchor on CNN. Most of these journalists look to the U.S. for leadership on the global stage, particularly involving the foremost freedoms we hold dear.
Whether they are from China, the Middle East, or Europe, many of our reporting colleagues are wondering when and whether a new business model will be found. Economic pressures continue to challenge nearly all sectors of the profession. I even heard some express concerns about reduction among the older ranks of journalists in Africa. Institutional memory and experienced talent is at risk in many places.
If they are from countries like Mexico or Pakistan, they likely continue to have concerns about their safety, since those are among the most dangerous countries in the world for working journalists.
These trips are organized by the U.S. State Department, with the underlying hope of encouraging democracies, emerging and otherwise, around the world. I've been fortunate to have been included in these discussions relative to my many years as an officer and as president of the National Press Club.
I also found that some journalists share concerns that I hear voiced by members of the American public. Some, including two from Turkey and the Caribbean, expressed fatigue regarding the length of the U.S. presidential campaign. Regarding the election, one journalist suggested that voters have been disappointed in the wake of hopes raised by then-aspiring candidate Obama. A couple, maybe more, commented in negative terms about Republican Mitt Romney's overseas trip.
Where it went off the tracks recently involved Russian journalists. One suggested that there essentially has been a cover-up, or at least a wholesale downplaying of the Occupy Wall Street movement. I tried to explain that it was a top story for many days running, but that it essentially ran out of a storyline, not to mention the movement itself appears to have cooled, perhaps for lack of a central unifying theme and decentralized leadership. The cold war may be over, but there are persisting tensions running between Moscow and Washington.
On more upbeat themes, several of the journalists said they enjoy watching "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart, concerned that young people might rely too much on it and less on the news media for their information. One was curious about speaking fees charged by celebrities and others, asking specifically about Sarah Palin. I did note that the NPC had been unsuccessful in getting Palin to speak at the Club last year.
I even had a question from a journalist from the Middle East asking what happened with Rick Sanchez who used to anchor on CNN. Most of these journalists look to the U.S. for leadership on the global stage, particularly involving the foremost freedoms we hold dear.
