Bloomington Leader

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Carl Bernstein visited Indiana University Bloomington in November, marking the second of four planned visits as the 2024-25 IU Poynter Chair and Visiting Roy W. Howard Journalist-in-Residence. During his visit, Bernstein interacted with journalism students, including a Q&A session in Anne Ryder's Advanced Broadcast News class.

Anne Ryder, a senior lecturer at The Media School, expressed her admiration for the students' engagement during Bernstein's visit. "I was impressed by the questions my class brought and their intense interest in Carl and how he and Bob Woodward persevered through years of roadblocks," she said.

Claire Tips, a junior studying journalism in Ryder’s class, found the session with Bernstein encouraging amid prevalent cynicism about the media industry. "I’ve heard a lot of ‘Why are you going into the media? It’s dying. You’re doomed,’" Tips noted. "So to hear Bernstein say media still has a very vital role and that it’s actually still very possible was honestly refreshing."

Bernstein addressed changes in the media landscape, attributing some shifts to decisions made by media owners in past decades rather than solely blaming technological advancements like the internet. He highlighted that reliable news requires seeking "the best obtainable version of truth" by engaging directly with sources.

He also acknowledged challenges posed by social media but emphasized that issues within the media industry extend beyond these platforms. “We have something far different than a media environment in which the consensus evolves around the best obtainable version of the truth,” Bernstein stated.

Tips reflected on Bernstein's insights regarding American journalists' access to crucial documents compared to their international counterparts. "He said we have it very easy," Tips remarked, highlighting differences faced by journalists abroad.

The session left Tips feeling hopeful about pursuing journalism despite its challenges. She appreciated The Media School's efforts to provide students with valuable perspectives from seasoned professionals like Bernstein and her professor Anne Ryder.

Bernstein is scheduled to return to IU Bloomington for his next visit in early 2025.