R.Thomas Berner is a freelance writer and photographer and professor emeritus of journalism and American studies at the Pennsylvania State University.
“ The printed word in the electronic era.” The phrase seems like the title of a chapter in the “one
thousand and one nights” book. Do you still believe in the power of the printed word to resist the electronic age?
I think the printed word will continue to exist, keeping in mind that ink on paper may not be the dominant medium. Right now I read several newspapers online. They all begin in print and are transferred to digital.
What about the duties of the editor or copy editor in this era. Can we talk about the new duties of the copy editor in this era?
The copy editor will always be an important person. The copy editor’s job is to make sure the language is correct regardless of the medium in which the message appears.
We witnessed how the death of George Floyd was made public by a mobile phone, I mean that it is the social media that contributed to unearthing the truth. Does that mean that the journalist has to make more efforts in order to bear his responsibilities as a journalist graduating from journalism school?
The mobile phone is another tool for journalists, whether they witness something first hand or someone else does. Remember that in the beat of Rodney King, someone videotaped the beating. The idea of photographing a crime, for example, is not new.
The journalist graduating from journalism school has to be aware of the new tools. However, the most important thing a journalist learns in journalism school is ethics. A journalist must be ethical at all times.
What about the ordeal of the natural languages before the rise of social media?
You know that the language employed in social media is a special and abbreviated language.
Does this burden the teacher at school and the copy editor at the newspaper?
The teacher and the copy editor need to be aware of the various levels of the current language. I don’t see it as a burden. It was always thus.
«Fake news » is Trump’s favorite word. And we can add another term, namely “the after-truth”.Do you think that the news media suffer more to uncover the truth?
The job of a journalist is to uncover the facts and that hasn’t changed.
If we give you money and ask you to make a choice between making a newspaper or creating a website, what would you prefer?
If I am given the money to create, I would create a digital newspaper with the hope that one day it would become a printed newspaper. But I’m doubtful that will happen.
In your opinion, how can the public school contribute to preparing an ideal reader for the reception of the news media news? In this regard, can we talk about new roles that the journalism college has to play in the electronic era? Should they change their syllabuses, for example?
Public schools need to teach media literacy beginning very early. This will enable readers and viewers to understand what goes into the media. Good journalism programs already offer media literacy courses. They should be expanded to be available in public schools and to all college students.
In the past few days, you visited Morocco. What are your impressions of your trip to Morocco?
Our trip to Morocco was fantastic. Usually, when I return from an international trip, I am exhausted. I returned from my trip to Morocco in an exhilarated state. It is a great country and the people are great. I hope to return.
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