Comparing Experiences in Journalism Education: The Netherlands and the United States

Abstract

Journalism education around the world is grounded in a set of common problems and practices. On a fundamental level and regardless in what national or cultural context it is practised, journalism education contributes to the stabilization of the profession by producing graduates well-versed in praxeomorphic knowlegde, which mindset tends to be outdated the second they set foot in the ‘real’ world of their occupational career. Journalism is changing rapidly – and not necessarily towards some new equilibrium somewhere in the near future from which perch it will continue to disseminate its multimedia, multicultural, or multiperspectival news. Changes in journalism are reflective of wider transitions in contemporary society that is glocal – at once local and global. No one is outside anymore, including journalism – which because of its traditional national bearings is increasingly losing touch with the everyday lived experiences of its intended audiences, who feel either swept away by seemingly uncontrollable global events (terrorism, global warming, worldwide migration, stock market crashes), or hopelessly tied up with narrow-minded and reactionary local affairs.