Remember the days where journalist broke the story about the corruption on Nixon? The realities of Vietnam War, when David Susskind conducted a live interview with Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev at the height of Cold War tensions,

This book is about when journalism used to be a powerful and wonderful thing, yet now it has become a curiosity, and not even the Internet can resurrect it. When Journalism was a Thing considers the downfall of journalism and the reasons why, but also offers a model for a new approach to the once-noble profession.

This is the first book I dnf'd. It was incredibly boring and repetetive. Yeah I didn't like this ..... Just wasn't my cup of tea.

Timely and needed analysis of the media relation to our common world. Perhaps since medium really became a message the trouble started. Propaganda-based broadcasting and writing was an exception (or a rule reserved only for tabloid-media) until the news and opinion became a product. Until that time one could expect from serious journalist informed opinion and balanced judgement. The young generation of media workers do not know about these standards. It is being attracted often by quick fame (social media) rather than work for common good. Ms Kitty elaborates on the problem brilliantly. Anyone who perceives herself or himself as an intelligent person should familiarise themselves with "When Journalism was a Thing".

Growing up in a journalist’s home and having been a journalist myself, I was keen to read When Journalism was a Thing. As a profession, journalism used to be a powerful, positive force, one many young people aspired to pursue, especially after The Washington Post broke the Watergate scandal and helped to depose a President.

The advent and explosive growth of digital, however, relegated print to a red-haired stepchild position or worse ... changing the face of journalism forever. And the evolution from a truth-seeking entity to a biased ratings-driven hack has destroyed the profession’s credibility, claims author Alexandra Kitty.

Kitty, who has published three books, including Don’t Believe It!: How Lies Become News, and Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism, explains the forces that led to the death of “old journalism” while offering a model for a new version she believes can be noble again. She says, “It will take humility, honesty, idealism, and most of all, bravery to make the bold revolutionary changes ... where the battle for truth [not ratings] counts the most.” Highly recommended!

Pub Date 27 Jul 2018

Thanks to John Hunt Publishing Ltd and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.

#WhenJournalismWasAthing #NetGalley

The author did a great job of explaining what journalists do and why they are imperative to our Democracy. With the current agenda of attacking the press by our President, it is more important than ever for everyone to understand the importance of having an unbiased press to alert us as to what is going on in our Country and the world.

When Journalism was a Thing should be read by any young graduate wanting to work in the media of these times with an * at the end saying it's not that bad. I'm glad we still live in a world where people like Alexandra Kitty are still published. We not only need new voices but we also need new ideas that expand our small bubble. To make it burst is for now just an illusion.

Having attended a seminar over media last semester at the university, I found this book highly intriguing! The only "weaker" part is the last one, I fear. Kitty's belief that journalism as such can be resurrected, seems a bit naive. Or perhaps I am too pessimistic. Anyway, the first chapters I would definitely recommend, they could even be used for educational purposes.

As a lover in investigative journalism, I wanted to learn about the author's take on the rise and fall of general journalism.

Journalism is still everything, yet to some it has become like a joke.. Kitty explores the downfall of the profession and presents a solid strategy for its resurrection.

Informative read!