DOHA: World-renowned media researcher David Weaver recently met with local journalism students at Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) to discuss global reporting and the changing face of journalism.
Professor Weaver is a pre-eminent researcher of media issues, known for his work on journalistic professionalism through the series, The American Journalist. Professor Weaver recently published The Global Journalist in the 21st Century, an update on his 1998 project, The Global Journalist, that looks at the thoughts and perceptions of journalists around the world.
“There is not a typical ‘global journalist,’” said Weaver in address to NU-Q students and faculty, “but there are signs of international agreement on professional roles and values like independence, autonomy, credibility and reporting ethically.”
“Today there is a huge demand for content across multiple platforms, online and offline. Deadlines for journalists used to be every 24 hours, now it’s constant. There’s less time for analytical reporting and fact checking. On one hand, journalists need to keep up with consumer demands, but on the other, there needs to be accurate and responsible reporting. It’s a double-edged sword,” added Weaver.
A visit by such a prominent scholar is a chance for NU-Q students to learn more about what it means to be journalists, explains Everette E. Dennis, dean and CEO of NU-Q.
Professor Weaver spent the past week speaking to the student body, meeting with the faculty and leadership teams and visiting classes.
The Peninsula
