PerplexityAI knows me in a scary way
I asked it to create a 1,000-word summary of my criticisms of newspapers and American journalism and their political biases. My critics might not like what it said about my career, but my mom would.
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/bill-steigerwald-is-a-veteran-SJ6GB1BtSFaq7waSnw6ZPA#0
I asked PerlexityAi.com this question:
Bill Steigerwald is a veteran journalist who has written millions of words in feature articles and columns about the practice of American journalism for the LA Times, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh Tribune Review. He's also written for magazines like Reason. Can you create a 1000 word summary of Steigerwald's criticisms of newspapers and American journalism and their political biases.
This is the answer I got — in less than 1 second.
Bill Steigerwald's career as a veteran journalist spanning nearly four decades has given him unique insights into the world of American journalism and its shortcomings. His experiences at major newspapers like the Los Angeles Times, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, as well as his contributions to magazines like Reason, have shaped his critical perspective on the industry.
Criticisms of Newspapers and American Journalism
Political Bias
One of Steigerwald's primary criticisms of American journalism is its pervasive political bias. As a self-described libertarian, he often found himself at odds with the predominantly liberal leanings of newsrooms. He notes that during his time at Penn State pursuing a master's in journalism, he seemed to be "the only non-liberal student or professor". This experience highlighted the ideological homogeneity in journalism education, which often translates into newsroom culture. Steigerwald argues that this liberal bias affects news coverage and editorial decisions. He observed that many reporters and writers were "too politically or culturally biased, deliberately or without even knowing it, to be able to stick to the 'truth' and balance of their story". This unconscious bias can lead to skewed reporting and a failure to present diverse perspectives on important issues.
Lack of Ideological Balance
Throughout his career, Steigerwald "always tried [his] best to make the newspapers [he] worked for more interesting, entertaining, and ideologically balanced". This suggests that he saw a need for greater diversity of thought in newsrooms and in the stories they produced. He believes that the dominance of liberal viewpoints in mainstream media has led to a narrow range of perspectives being presented to the public.
Decline of Print Media
Steigerwald has witnessed firsthand the decline of print journalism. He notes that when he worked at the Los Angeles Times in the 1980s, it was "one of the richest, most powerful, and relevant newspapers in the U.S." with a circulation of about 1.2 million. Today, its circulation has plummeted to less than 200,000. This decline reflects broader trends in the industry, with many newspapers struggling to adapt to the digital age and maintain their relevance and financial viability.
Quality of Reporting
Another criticism Steigerwald levies against modern journalism is the decline in the quality of reporting. He suggests that many journalists are "better at gathering facts than presenting them in an interesting way on paper". This points to a lack of storytelling skills and an inability to engage readers effectively, which may contribute to the declining readership of traditional news outlets.
Fact-Checking and Journalistic Integrity
Steigerwald's work on exposing the fictionalization in John Steinbeck's "Travels with Charley" highlights his commitment to journalistic integrity and fact-checking. He argues that there's a fundamental difference between the disciplines of novelists and journalists: "Novelists play around with facts. Journalists—in theory—stick to them, protect them, and even worship them". This experience underscores Steigerwald's belief in the importance of accuracy and truthfulness in reporting, even when it means challenging established narratives or revered figures. He contends that journalists have a responsibility to verify facts and present them honestly to their readers.
Creative Nonfiction and Its Pitfalls
Steigerwald's investigation into Steinbeck's work also raises questions about the boundaries of creative nonfiction. While he acknowledges the value of presenting facts in an entertaining and informative way, he warns against distorting the truth for the sake of a good story. This criticism extends to modern journalism, where the line between fact and fiction can sometimes blur in pursuit of engaging content.
The Role of Alternative Media
Given his experiences with mainstream media, Steigerwald sees value in alternative outlets and platforms. His work for magazines like Reason and his self-published books demonstrate his belief in the importance of diverse voices in the media landscape. He suggests that these alternative channels can provide perspectives and stories that might be overlooked or underrepresented in traditional news outlets.
Journalism Education and Training
Steigerwald's observations about the liberal bias in journalism education point to a broader criticism of how journalists are trained. He implies that the lack of ideological diversity in journalism schools may contribute to the biases seen in newsrooms. This suggests a need for reform in journalism education to encourage a wider range of perspectives and a stronger emphasis on objectivity and balanced reporting.
The Future of Journalism
While Steigerwald's criticisms paint a somewhat bleak picture of the state of American journalism, his continued engagement with the field through books and online platforms suggests a belief in the potential for improvement. He advocates for a return to core journalistic values of accuracy, fairness, and balanced reporting, while also embracing new media formats and technologies to reach audiences. In conclusion, Bill Steigerwald's criticisms of American journalism stem from his extensive experience in the field and his unique perspective as a libertarian in predominantly liberal newsrooms. His observations highlight the challenges facing modern journalism, including political bias, declining quality of reporting, and the struggle to maintain relevance in the digital age. By pointing out these issues, Steigerwald contributes to the ongoing dialogue about the future of journalism and the importance of diverse, accurate, and engaging reporting in a democratic society.
Perplexity also included, among other things, a mug shot of me, the back cover of my ‘Dogging Steinbeck’ book and a link to my profile at Reedsy, a free-lance editing company I am listed with.