With the recent decline in newspaper circulation questions are being raised about the future of journalism. Michael Schudson and Leonard Downie Jr. sought to answer these questions with their recent report on "The Reconstruction of American Journalism".

"We are not mourning the passing of the great newspaper," explains Professor Schudson of the Graduate School of Journalism.

The report has sparked conversations about whether or not the government should be involved in funding news outlets. As Profressor Schudson explains, "We don't think if the government as a desperate measure, we think of it as really part of an American tradition."

The students we asked had a different view.

"Well I don't think that should even be an option at all, I don't really think we can get to that stage."

"I'd believe it less than I already do, being biased I don't think I would even pay attention to it."

In contrast, Schudson's response highlighted both past and current forms of government intervention.

"We've had forms of government funding in the past, we have forms of government funding today, the most obvious of which is National Public Radio and public broadcasting, we've been doing this for forty years."

News sources who have turned to charging users for the once freely-accessed information have seen mixed results as Schudson explains.

"Some experiments, most notably at the New York Times, to put some of their content behind a so called pay wall, that didn't work out very well. It's worked at a few newspapers, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times most notably, but they're fairly specialized papers."

Students seem optimistic about the possible shift to a paid model for news.

"Maybe it is a viable way to keep the high standard, the high quality of journalism without having to jeopardize that."

"Possibly, maybe, I think it depends, I'd have to wait for the situation to come before I'd make my decision."

Overall the report presents a hopeful vision for the future of journalism as Schudson reports, "What we are seeking to preserve is news, not any particular form of delivery."