Editorial: Proposed writing track merger shows lack of faith in journalism

‘ ‘ ‘ In an e-mail to English majors sent out two weeks ago, Pitt’s English department notified… ‘ ‘ ‘ In an e-mail to English majors sent out two weeks ago, Pitt’s English department notified students that it was considering collapsing the news writing track into the creative nonfiction track within Pitt’s English writing major. ‘ ‘ ‘ The English department chairman, David Bartholomae, refused to comment about the proposal on several occasions. ‘ ‘ ‘ It’s unfortunate that the English department, which prides itself on having the oldest and largest creative writing program in the country, would consider renaming or disassembling the journalism track. Even though it might make sense on the surface, journalistic writing is as different a style from creative nonfiction as it is from writing poetry or fiction. ‘ ‘ ‘ Journalists are writers just like poets, novelists and memoirists, and good journalism requires good writing skills. But the craft hinges on the continued practice of reporting, or the ability of journalists to interview, research, network and report effectively. A track that guides students through general nonfiction courses rather than specific journalism courses is a disservice to Pitt’s English writing majors. ‘ ‘ ‘ Good journalism serves a different purpose than other writing disciplines. While it entertains readers and stirs thought ‘mdash; as poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction do ‘mdash; journalism in its purest form exists to inform and educate the public. ‘ ‘ ‘ And good journalistic writing provides an irreplaceable service to society: It’s a watchdog over government and authority, and it encourages debate within communities. ‘ ‘ ‘ By not standing by the formalized practice of journalistic writing and abandoning the title and the track, the English department sends the message ‘mdash; however subtly ‘mdash; that true journalism is less important than it’s been in past generations. ‘ ‘ ‘ Instead of scrapping the journalism writing track altogether, Pitt should concentrate on making it better and training students in the modern conventions of journalistic writing, the same as it trains them in writing fiction or poetry that’s relevant to today’s audiences and publishers. ‘ ‘ ‘ Even though professional newspapers are on the decline, online and TV reporting require the same news writing skills as traditional journalism ‘mdash; skills that may not be replicated in a more general creative nonfiction major. ‘ ‘ ‘ Taking away the journalism track ultimately will weaken the English writing program. It lessens the importance of journalism as a field of study, and it detracts from the overall appeal and strength of the writing program.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Making a less-formal program for writers who want to learn journalism shows that the English department doesn’t’ place value in the art of journalistic writing or the future of the practice. Because of the creative writing program’s strength of faculty and national reputation, it’s essential that Pitt’s English department continues to offer its writing students the option to pursue journalism.