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Whither investigative journalism?

In the light of the continuing downturn in newspaper sales, certainly in the Western world, something to reflect on - from a piece on journalism in The American Scholar.org:

"Supreme Court Justice Learned Hand said that in a democratic society we “have staked everything on the rational dialogue of an informed electorate,” and philosopher Hannah Arendt added that “freedom of opinion is a farce unless factual information is guaranteed.” How, then, can journalists use interactive technology to help citizens participate in verification and discussion? Can new tools engage the knowledge and experience of citizens as reporters, analysts, advisers? Can journalists using synthesizing technologies help citizens solve community problems?"

Comments

Anonymous said…
We received a letter to the editor pointing out that our writer was in error when he called Learned Hand a Supreme Court justice. He was an appeals court judge. We are running a correction, but I thought your readers would want to know.
Robert Wilson
The American Scholar
November 15, 2008 2:43 am
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