Busting Myths

Busting Myths – and Staying Vital in the Digital Age

Background: In January 2010, ASNE’s First Amendment Committee organized and ran a gathering of 25 journalistic leaders and thinkers. The daylong event at the Newseum, entitled “Just the Facts: Myths and Truths About 21st Century Journalism,” explored the conventional wisdom – often mistaken – about American journalism in the digital age. The committee hoped to use the event as a way to begin circulating a more positive message about the enduring value and vitality of newspapers and other sources of reportorial journalism.

Results: Using the discussion and materials that surfaced at the gathering, committee members later wrote opinion pieces, each taking on one of the primary myths that came up. You’ll find them here

How to Use These Pieces: The pieces can be run in any newspaper or media outlet as columns, signed by their respective authors. Or they can be jumping-off points for ASNE members and others to write columns of their own, or to give talks in their communities, do media interviews or to get the word out in other ways. They offer facts and figures – and opinions – to bolster the argument that newspapers remain vital in the digital age.

Margaret Sullivan, Editor, The Buffalo (N.Y.) News
Chair, 2009-10 ASNE First Amendment Committee