UCSC Alums Call Upon Next Generation to Embrace Journalistic Integrity

UCSC Alums Call Upon Next Generation to Embrace Journalistic Integrity David Talbot (left) and Hector Tobar (right) Friday, April 12 at the Humanities Lecture Hall, Alums David Talbot and Hector Tobar spoke about their upcoming projects and gave advice about the future of journalism to student media members in the audience at an event titled, “Transforming Medi(a)ocrity.” Talbot is a book author, former senior editor for Mother Jones, and founder of Salon.com. Tobar is a former TWANAS member at UCSC, a book author, and the former Mexico City bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times. After a half-hour reception with snacks and beverages, a large group of teachers and student media representatives poured inside to listen and ask questions. When asked why and how he stared Salon, Talbot said he wasn’t able to write the way he wanted when working for other media organizations and, subsequently, used the idea of “tribal media” by starting a group with friends possessing similar interests. He also warned that young writers should be business savvy and know how to negotiate in meetings, stating, “If you’re just creative [...] you’re a lamb in a world of lions.” On the topic of using social networks and internet media for reporting, Tobar stated that these outlets have allowed his writing to gain more readers than ever before, but that he often prefers writing books as a “slow artisan thing,” like making shoes one nail at a time. Tobar also mentioned the occasional necessity of moderating reader comments in online news sites, recalling the many inappropriate comments that some of his L.A. Times articles received before the newspaper’s website began moderation measures. Talbot expressed the opinion that “robots tabloidize” news sites when the practice used by many webzines (including Huff Po and the current version of Salon) of deciding to feature articles based upon hit-counters rather than relevance and solid reporting is implemented further stating, “There’s not an editorial soul there.” On the topic of being both creators and consumers of mass media, Tobar and Talbot stressed critical thinking with a healthy helping of skepticism. Talbot commented, “Once you’ve seen the sausage being made as a journalist, you know [...] don’t believe everything.” Tobar commented that many of the internet newspapers and magazines consisting largely of opinions and links to other articles are “more of a parody of journalism” compared to traditional “street reporting.” But he also spoke optimistically, saying, even though “we feel powerless in this torrent of news, [. . .] you can move the behemoth” by pressuring newspapers through phone calls and letters to cover ignored stories and be accurate because, from his experience, “that pressure can work.” When asked what would be the ideal journalism training program, Tobar said that such a program would produce “active citizens and thinkers on their feet. What journalism is now, he continued, is a counter-flow against the torrent of mass media. Talbot backed this up, emphasizing that one can maintain journalistic balance while still being an activist by bringing issues to light through one’s choice of stories rather than the wording of one’s story. Speaking about their upcoming projects, Tobar said that he is starting a new magazine and writing several books. He commented on the importance of showing enthusiasm when pitching book ideas to publishers, as publishers often base the decision of whether or not to buy your idea, at least partially, on this factor. Talbot is currently writing a book about the assassination of JFK and a book about President Obama’s drone usage policy, entitled “The Professor and the Executioner.” He stated that he “drank at the fountain of Obama early on,” but that he feels the need as a journalist to point out his disagreement with some of the President’s current policies.