Bill Keller and Glenn Greenwald
A couple of paragraphs to (try to) summarize the fascinating conversation/debate between Bill Keller and Glenn Greenwald about the "essential character and values" of journalism.
Here's Greenwald:
In essence, I see the value of journalism as resting in a twofold mission: informing the public of accurate and vital information, and its unique ability to provide a truly adversarial check on those in power. Any unwritten rules that interfere with either of those two prongs are ones I see as antithetical to real journalism and ought to be disregarded.
And here's Keller:
I believe the need for impartial journalism is greater than it has ever been, because we live now in a world of affinity-based media, where citizens can and do construct echo chambers of their own beliefs. It is altogether too easy to feel “informed” without ever encountering information that challenges our prejudices.
Read the full "thought-provoking" exchange. It's worth it. Both sides are really valuable and well argued.