Beware, Corporate Domination

IF YOU EVER have a chance to go to a convention of journalism academics, skip it. I’ll go for you. It’s my job.

I’ve been to dozens over the past several years, and like allergy shots, each new one stings just a little bit less than the one that preceded it. There are free tote bags, name badges, info booths, panel discussions, “paper” presentations, “breakouts,” and professors with Einstein hair–most of that last group there to replace last year’s tattered tote bag. Among the topics of conversation–both casual and professional–nothing is more prevalent than “media consolidation.”