Do you think there are downsides of going into journalism without having taken classes in that field?

My daughter is doing a project for a journalism class. She's comparing and contrasting 5 different television networks, using a grid to note:
* the topics covered
* amount of time spent per topic
* if guests are identified by political affiliation
* if opposing political views are presented
* if analysis is clearly labeled analysis
* if opinion is identified as opinion
* if nonverbal communication is used to communicate personal opinion
* if all available facts are presented
* if journalists are promoting their own books

The class is also researching the political affiliations of the journalists they're observing.

The assignment isn't finished yet, but the data she's collected so far is interesting. It makes one wonder if some of the journalists know the rules of journalism.

Doesn't it diminish the profession of journalism to say that you can learn it as you go? That sounds haphazard.

HI Meredith,
Just saw you on The View this morning, I miss you so much on that show but at least we get to still see you everyday on Today. There will never be another one as great as you were on that show, I do love Joy and Barbara and Sherry and Woopie are doing great but I always looked so forward to see what you were going to do on The View.
It is something how much your kids have grown, you still look the same as you did 10 years ago.
Anyway it was great to see you with the girls this morning, hope you come back to visit them more often.
Love ya Meredith
Joan K.
Wisconsin

The most valuable teachers are those who have undergraduate degrees in the subject they plan to teach - instead of a degree in education. They do need a minor in education to get their foot in the door and a Masters in Education - which they would need anyway -- to succeed.

I think it would be the same for journalism. How can you talk about something if all you know about is the mechanics of talking about something.
Minoring in journalism or English would be sufficient to learn how to contruct a story.

well I'm just even a BIGGER fan than ever after hearing you say you've been streaking!! For next Friday's Q&A, can you tell us more???

What fun!!!

Cheers!

This has nothing to do with your blog (that I just discovered and like, but with Friday's Millionaire. The answer to what fruit is in duck sauce was wrong--it is peaches and apricots, not plums. That guy should be given another chance, and I would love to see him go to college.

Author of the Grand Prize Winner of the 15th Annual Writer's Digest Int'l Self-Published Book Awards
Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify & Energize Your Life, Your Home & Your Planet

Barbara, seems you weren't reading Meredith's response very well. "I strongly suggest you major in something other than journalism." There is a huge difference between not TAKING journalism classes, and not MAJORING in journalism. All she seems to be saying is that you should acquire a degree in another field that will be a good complement to journalism, and then the other stuff can be picked up along the way through other courses and actual real world experience in the field, (hence the internship). I can definitely see her point.

I am a huge fan of yours and I just wanted to say I enjoyed seeing you on The View again. It was my favorite show the last 2 years you were on, I never missed an episode! I really enjoy reading your blog as well, thanks for taking the time out of your already busy day to write a little something to your fans.

Loved seeing you today on the "View"!
What a delightful treat and you were in "rare form" just like we love you!!!
Miss you so much on the "View" but must admit, you are so fabulous in all your chosen "gigs". Keep on Rockin Meredith!

Meredith,

I did not watch the view when you were there, and now wish that I had. Today you made the show FUN! Exactly what it has been lacking. Instead of just having days without conflict, they need to have fun, with three comics on the panel that should not be hard to do. Hope you visit the View again.

Linda

Cried today when you returned to The View.

Joy and BW seemed really happy to have you back. BW seemed so proud of you.

Hope you can cme back for more segments!!!

BTW, love you on Today too - but nothing will ever beat the View team of Joy, Lisa, Star, BW, and you.

The parents who are spending thousands of dollars for their kids to be journalism majors are wondering why the jobs would be taken by those without that degree.

Hi Meredith: I have a ? . I know your contract with Millionaire does not allow you to appear on the today show after 9 AM. But do they mind if you appear on (tape) after 9AM?? I was wondering, because I have seen you many times after 9AM during the live show in tiny film clips that were filmed earlier in the program. (THEY ARE SNEEKING YOU IN THERE GIRL!) As amatter of fact I just saw you very breifly during the 4th hour today. I don't mind seeing you -- ha ha, "But I was wondering if it was OK with the other network? xxoo

Are they also wondering why the risk-takers without college degrees (bill gates, Mark Zuckerberg) are taking their kids CEO jobs?

On the Journalism issue, I think Audrey nails it! Most of the journalists have degrees in other areas and because the basic make-up of undergraduate systems puts great focus on the student's ability to write. So then it does become more advantageous, to get a degree in (ie)Doctor of medicine who can also write a dynamic news piece on health issues, or the "sports writer" may be even a better example(great journalists however, without degrees in journalism). Just a thought from a retired educator.

I just finished a journalism master's degree. I interned at a very high profile media organization. There's a definite difference between those who have studied journalism and those who have not. As an undergrad I double majored journalism and something else. I think that's a good option. But if you like journalism, why major in something else?

Question for Meredith.

Why is fluoride such a taboo topic on TV news - not the what's good about it; but what's bad about it. You guys and the commercials tell us the "good" all the time.

2/3 of US water suppliers add fluoride into the drinking water, not to purify it, but to inoculate tap water drinkers against tooth decay.
Yet on October 6, 2007, the British Medical Journal reports there is no valid science that supports fluoridation.

We know how advertisers censored the media about the Iraq water, do they do the same about fluoride?

Meredith,

I didn't have your email address, so I thought that I would try to contact you this way. Recently, I sent you an advance reader copy of my book, A Different Kind of Perfect, and was wondering if you or Richard had an opportunity to read it. If you recall, we met at Camp Pals. I would be interested in your feedback and whether or not you or Richard would be willing to provide an endorsement for the book. You might be interested in knowing that I have secured an endorsement from Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia. Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary has also said that he would be willing to endorse it. I can appreciate how busy you are. Hope that I can hear from you soon. My best.

George Lane

What is this about you streaking, and not minding getting naked for Spencer Tunick? And since Barbara ased you again on the View about your habit of wearing pantyhose instead of panties, I must ask, WHY? I find hose so uncomfortable. IMHO, thongs are more comfortable if you want to avoid panty lines. I know you can't risk a Sharon Stone moment but what is wrong with going commando when you wear long pants?
PS I bet like the rest of us multi-taskers, you do pee in the shower.

Hi Meredith -I couldn't find an email address so thought I would ask my question this way! It's Tuesday, October 16th and I just watched you do an interview. My question is, how do you keep your composure when interviewing people who are not exactly "responsive"? The segment I saw lasted about 6 minutes and it seemed like getting answers was like pulling teeth. I can only imagine the good chuckle you all have after particularly difficult interviews!

Dear Meredith, I know that this may be harping over old news,but need to discuss:In the2000 election,there an NAACP meeting that aired on C-SPAN.MEREDITH,THAT THING WAS 6 HOURS LONG IT WAS AIRED IN TWO THREE HOUR SEGMENTS.I WATCHED ALL 6 HRS. OF THAT MEETING & WATCHED IT THROUGH TWICE .SO IN OTHER WORDS I SAT IN FRONT OF MY TELEVISION FOR TWELVE HOURS ANALYZING THAT MEETING.MEREDITH:IN THAT MEETING OUR BLACK DEMOCRATS DOWN IN FLORIDA SPOKE OF HOW THOSE REPUBLICANS DOWN THERE,SET-UP ROAD BLOCKS & WOULDN'T LET OUR BLACK DEMOCRATIC VOTERS GET TO THE POLLS TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS.ALSO,THERE WERE 2 MISSING BALLOT BOXES LISTED IN THE STATE OF FLA. ONE CAME FROM HILLSBROUGH COUNTY HI /TAMPA BAY#2 FROM GOOD NEWS LITTLE RIVER BAPTIST CH.PRECINCT IN MIAMI./THE MINISTER FROM CHURCH TOLD OF THAT ONE/IN2004 IT WAS BROADCAST HOW DIE-BOLD RIGGED THE BLOW-BY CARDS ON VOTING MACHINES IN OHIO.WHAT'S THE JERK DOING IN THE WHITE HOUSE?HE WON 2ELECTIONS OFF OF FRAUD.

I assume you'll be keeping appointments in future, annually; no?

Meredith- Have you ever had to do an interview where you vehemently disagreed with the interviewee's standpoint or just didn't like them as a person? How do you deal with that? Or have you ever been such a HUGe fan of a guest that you couldn't help but be giddy???

are you going to start getting answers to the questions you ask on the today show ?