What Relevant Journalism Looks Like

Abstract

This chapter draws from across the book to make a case for how journalism can move forward. To rebuild its relevance, the journalistic community needs to adapt to a changed media culture in which its centrality is no longer guaranteed. When journalism becomes just one voice among others, it becomes necessary to question whether long-standing objectivity norms hamper its ability to make judgments and act morally. Journalists must turn toward relationship-building to establish the necessary trust and legitimacy to pursue the institutional production of news knowledge. However, fixing journalism cannot be done merely from within journalism; media consumers must support their news outlets. A serious appraisal of the systemic patterns that enabled this moment means looking more constructively at what journalism can become by confronting reporting patterns that turn people away from the news.