Bill Keller on maintaining integrity in journalism

摘要

I don't think there's a financial model that, per se, guarantees the independence of journalists or the quality of their work. Journalistic integrity can flourish or suffocate under any of the major business models. Journalists supported by advertisers may - and at our best news organisations generally do - operate independently of advertiser interests; less conscientious publishers may bend in order to avoid offending advertisers. Journalists who depend on subscribers are presumably free of corporate or special-interest influence, but they may be tempted to pander to conventional wisdom or indulge in sensationalism, which is another kind of corruption. Wealthy philanthropists may underwrite genuinely independent journalism (see the Sandier family's philanthropic investment in the excellent Pro-Publica, an example of editorial inde- pendence we aim to follow at The Marshall Project). But some rich benefactors may see their media creations as tools of influence. The history of our craft is rich with examples of all the above.