Completetosh on journalism

Neil's in America pontificating on journalism, and he's written something fruitful and thought-provoking:

Serious journalism was described at the conference, repeatedly, as something like broccoli, or medicine the citizenry needs to spoon down, no matter how unpalatable, if democracy is to survive. That’s despite the fact investigative, or civic, journalism is still seen inside the industry as being at the top end of what we do. Yet I struggle to think of another industry that views its premium product as something akin to a nasty cough syrup - necessary, good for your health, but irredeemably foul-tasting.

Indeed. Remember when journalism used to be fun as well as important? Hair shirts off, please.