La Times on journalism

Though talented at creating products that "strike an emotional chord with consumers," Apple sometimes projects a "corporate personality as as an oil company," a Los Angeles Times article says. Comparisons aside, the article looks at the definition of a "journalist," which has been a key point of argument throughout Apple's struggle with rumor sites AppleInsider and Power Page. Columnist Michael Hiltzik says the only way to define a journalist is functionally -- "as anyone who hunts down suppressed, overlooked or misunderstood information of public interest (even trivial interest) and presents or explains it to an audience. The medium of publication is irrelevant. Newspapers, magazines and TV and radio services aren't invariably exemplars of serious news gathering; many are brainless, irresponsible or purveyors of propaganda. Conversely, although many weblogs and websites are outlets for wingnuts and noodniks, many others provide trenchant and incisive news and analysis."

by MacNN Staff