Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vi

Introduction 1

1 Paths to Professionalism 19

2 The Dilemmas of Professional Autonomy 43

3 The Ambiguities of Professional Journalism 73

4 Questioning Professional Journalism 94

5 The Professional Logic of Journalism 121

6 Professionalism and Media Patrimonialism 149

7 The Globalization of Professional Cultures 174

8 Post-Professional Journalism? 202

Conclusion: Reinventing Professionalism 222

References 234

Index 263

About the Author

Silvio Waisbord is professor of media and public affairs at The George Washington University and the editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Press/Politics.

Reviews

This book is the go-to manuscript on journalisticprofessionalism. It forces readers to repeatedly reset what theyknow, importing critical questions and valuable answers that changeour sense of what professionalism is and how it works. A tour deforce! Barbie Zelizer, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Journalism s claim to professional status has beensubject to challenge throughout its history, but it seems fair tosay the stakes for democracy have never been higher than they aretoday. Silvio Waisbord offers a fresh, engaging perspective on akey set of simmering debates. In arguing that professionalism isnecessary for journalism to be a counterweight to power, heencourages us to rethink journalism s core ethics in a manneralert to questions of responsibility, transparency andaccountability. Reinventing Professionalism is a mustread. Stuart Allan, The Media School, Bournemouth University In cutting through disparate literatures aboutjournalism, Silvio Waisbord makes a daring, sophisticated argumentabout professionalism. Avoiding extremes of sentimentality andcynicism, equally eschewing romantic and apocalyptic claims, heexplains why journalism practices and ethics can simultaneouslydiffer, hybridize, and overlap around the world. This bookdeserves, and will enjoy, a long shelf life. Linda Steiner, Philip Merrill College of Journalism,University of Maryland At a time of huge turmoil surrounding the occupation ofjournalism, Silvio Waisbord provides a supremely professional account of the boundaries ofjournalistic work. Scholars and students interested in the historyand origins of journalism practice will find a clear and detailedanalysis of how the myriad of ideas surrounding professionalism injournalism evolved. Howard Tumber, City University London "A well-written and sophisticated account of professionaljournalism that will no doubt prove invaluable to those working inareas such as media sociology, journalism and media studies." MIA