Berkeley Barb

Looking back on the '60s always evokes powerful memories. Even for me, even though I wasn't even born yet. But with the newspaper industry in a sharp decline, I can't help but think about how essential newspapers once were.

Newspapers have always been the backbone of journalism. Even now, bloggers often link to newspaper articles, and radio and TV news stations have always picked up the daily regional paper to figure out which stories to air on their show. Everybody's so excited about Twitter, but the quality, in-depth, investigative news reporting is done in newspapers and then moved somewhere else.

In the '60s, the Berkeley Barb was the battleground for counterculture vs. the government. The paper held those in power accountable for their actions and was not afraid to speak out against injustice.

Now, basically every newspaper has a website, rightfully so, but so many newspapers and other media outlets feel they need to have a Twitter account. The problem now is the focus on getting it first, as opposed to getting it right. Speed is important, but content should not be compromised. Journalists need to get back into the issues and focus on in-depth reporting. Maybe that will save newspapers.

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Feeling nostalgic for the Berkeley Barb? See pdfs of old issues here. Read more of my thoughts on the Barb here.