INSIGHT

ACQUIRING INSIGHT INTO THE BUSINESS SIDE OF JOURNALISM

THE BIG PICTURE
HOPE FOR CHANGE
RECOGNIZING WHERE WE ARE AS AN INDUSTRY
CORPORATIONS TAKE OVER
THE HUGE RESET
IMPACT OF THE HUGE RESET ON CONTENT
NO PLAN FOR CHANGE 
LIFE CYCLES OF LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONS
THE PROPHET
THE BARBARIAN
THE BUILDER/EXPLORER
THE ADMINISTRATOR
THE BUREAUCRAT
THE ARISTOCRAT 
THE REALITY OF THESE LIFE CYCLES
THE NEED FOR PROPHETS IN BROADCAST JOURNALISM
THE NEED FOR PROPHETS INSTEAD OF PROFITS AT THE CORPORATE LEVEL
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
CORPORATIONS AND COMMUNITIES
CAN GUILT DRIVE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN BROADCASTING?
CORPORATE STAKEHOLDERS
BROADCAST JOURNALISM—JUST ANOTHER STOCK MARKET INVESTMENT?
WHO RUNS BROADCAST JOURNALISM IN AMERICA? 
A NEW MODEL FOR THE BUSINESS OF JOURNALISM 
THE CRISIS IN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
WHY OVERSIGHT WITH JOURNALISTIC GUIDEANCE IS REQUIRED
THE CRISIS IN JOURNALISTIC CONFIDENCE AND THE FEAR OF CONTENT OVERSIGHT
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKING
THE CASUALTIES OF SHORT-TERM CORPORATE CULTURE
THE RISK OF BEING A PROPHET
WHO ARE TODAY’S PROPHETS?

THE BIG PICTURE

HOPE FOR CHANGE

The premise of this book is that I believe there is a need for revival and reform in broadcast journalism. For a revival to be a success there must be believers and converts. How about you? Converts to the gospel of journalism must have faith, idealism, insight, and the ability to turn all of these into a practical, actionable ways to lead and manage people, and have hope that our industry will change. Converts must be able to make more converts. The question is do you have the right stuff to be a convert—a true journalist that believes in the gospel of journalism? Do you have what it takes to be leader? Do have the insight to help your managers and leaders recognize their shortcomings and ignite a desire for change so revival and reform can begin?

The point of this chapter is to offer some solid education—some insight—about our industry. We have lots of ground to cover in this chapter before we get on with the real practical work of journalism. But unless we know how we got to where we are now, we won’t succeed. Recognition of sin is half the battle. We must admit there’s a problem. It’s also time for some insight into leadership and corporate organizations. If you try to accomplish revival and reform without some insight on how the for-profit companies that own TV stations are managed, then you will not be successful in the business of broadcast journalism. In this chapter, I’ll share a very brief snapshot of the broadcast journalism industry so we can recognize where we are as an industry. Also in this chapter, I’ll share what I’ve learned about the life cycles of leadership and how they apply to any person or organization. This understanding of life cycles will enable you to see the industry and yourself from the 30,000-foot-up view—the big picture. Then I’ll share my thoughts on the corporate leadership of broadcasting and look at who is really at the top of the leadership rungs of broadcast journalism in America. Lastly, we will look at the need and the opportunity for change in that corporate culture.