Can journalism be saved?

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."

To fee or not to fee

As the old media model is rethought, new media continues its evolution. On Wednesday, News Corp. Deputy Chairman Chase Carey announced plans to introduce a subscription model to the popular online video service Hulu. Currently, Hulu.com offers free videos from leading content companies, including FOX, NBC Universal, ABC, and Comedy Central. For many students, Hulu provides the best medium to watch their favorite programs because of its accessibility. However, Mr. Carey argued that “a free model is a very difficult way to capture the value of [Hulu’s] content.” If the Hulu Board of Directors approves the fee-based business model, it will likely go into effect sometime next year.

Market lights up the Night

CSC held their annual Night Market on Low Plaza Friday night, despite worries about the rain. The array of foods, club activities and performances was a recreation of the street fairs and festivals from China and Taiwan. CSC President Annie Zhang said of the event, "This year's Night Market was especially successful - we had over 40 clubs in attendance and 16 performance groups including FR3SH from America's Best Dance Crew Season 4. Night Market is always one of our favorite events to organize. Not only is it a festive night of great food and good company, but also a united showcase of student life at Columbia - there's something for everyone to enjoy!" And enjoy, they did.

Columbia Ph.D. Kian Tajbakhsh Imprisoned

Columbia alumnus Kian Tajbakhsh has been sentenced to more than 12 years in an Iranian prison for his role in protests following the disputed election of President Ahmadinejad in June. In 2007, Tajbakhsh was arrested under charges of espionage and fomenting revolution, but was released four months later, on the day President Bollinger announced that Ahmadinejad would be speaking at Columbia. Bollinger is once again calling for the release of Mr. Tajbakhsh, with claims that the charges facing him are unfounded. Tajbakhsh, who earned his Ph.D. at Columbia, had originally been scheduled to teach here this semester.

Geert Wilders stirs up anger, controversy

Geert Wilders, the controversial Dutch politician, spoke at Columbia on Wednesday night upon invitation by the College Republicans.

"We all should never surrender,nor compromise once inch, when it comes down to our freedom - the most important right we still have today in our free, western societies."

"The so-called Middle East conflict is not about land at all... It's a battle between Islam and freedom."

"Our western culture is better than Islamic culture, and we should be proud of that, and we should defend that."

He was candid and unapologetic in expressing his hatred of Islam.

"Islam, according to me, is a political and totalitarian ideology...Muhammad was not a perfect man. He was a mass murderer and he was a pedophile."

"I fight against the Islamization of our societies and therefore, for the protection of the right of women, of homosexuals, of Christians, of Jews, of apostates, of non-believers, and of the kafis."

"I don't believe that what I'm saying is extreme."

Audience reactions to his speech ranged from indignation and anger to nonchalance.

"It's the White, European, Christian man civilizing the crazy, Muslim, brown people...I was surprised at the amount of support that he got. People kept clapping," said a visibly-upset Alaa Milbes.

"He was a buffoon, to be quite honest. He was a clown," said law student Birgitte Hagem.

Dutch student David de Jung said, "I thought it was a charade. He's got the right to free speech but it's all, it's lies, it's bias, it's bulls**t."

Most audience members still felt there was value in listening to a speaker whose views they disagreed with profoundly.

CC Alum Lauren Prentice summed it up best. "I think the best way to deal with people such as the speaker is to let them speak and then knock them down and defeat them via logical argument."

Arne Duncan at Teachers College

Arne Duncan, the U.S. Secretary of Education, spoke at Teachers College this past Thursday about the need for reform in graduate teaching programs. While he praised Columbia's Teachers College for their devotion to hands-on training, he emphasized the poor preparation many teachers are receiving at other education schools. He also spoke on finding a way to measure the success of education graduate programs and the shortage of teachers in general at this event that was attended by the New York State Education Commissioner David Steiner.

350 reasons to join the Global Wake-Up Call

This Saturday, Columbians arose to Global Wake-Up Call, a day-long event organized by students who want to raise awareness for climate change and, more specifically, 350. 350 is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but the world is at a level of 390 and rising. Despite the games, performances, and information booths, the event centered on the creation of a 350-banner that was screened in Times Square on Saturday night.

Columbia continues to explore Frontiers of Science

The 5 year trial run of the core's Frontiers of Science class comes to an end this year. CCSC reported in their last meeting that the Committee on Science Education is requesting that the class run another four years so that they can gather more data. The Core Committee is likely to approve the request which will keep the class made iconic by Reni Lane's Frontiers of Science music video around a little bit longer.

Cultured Cuisine

For many Columbia students eating on campus is a risky decision. So when Chef Samuelsson visited Columbia, students were all too eager to try his Asian and African-inspired dishes.

"My storytelling becomes really around beyond just the recipe itself and it really becomes about people's journey," explained Chef Samuelsson.

Samuelsson's visit came with an undertone of cultural diversity and self-reflection epitomized by his Macusine, or food journey, which is discussed in his new book.

"I wanted this book to be an investment in how African people live. So it was a challenge to do a book."

"Chef Samuelsson is Swedish, African, and an American immigrant. All of these cultures inform who he is and provide critical landmarks for his culinary artistry."

"I know it's delicious, I know it's yummy, and that's really what matters. And when you have oolong soup -broth- when you eat it and drink it in Japan you're supposed to do that, you can do that. So what seems to be not so nice and cultured in one part of the world is very cultured in another."

Throughout his demonstration, Samuelsson emphasized the acceptance and integration of cultures. According to the chef, these cultural differences unite the world through food.

"But it's sort of tainted by immigrants. So I started thinking about what this country would taste like without an immigrant experience. Where would we be without immigrants? And I thought it was interesting because all of the sudden people were talking about illegal people. I'm very confused about this word. I'm sure we all have done illegal stuff. So I started thinking about that in terms of, "I'm going to do all these recipes inspired by illegal food and illegal people." Or legal, but I do think that no matter what, when it's here it doesn't matter."

Along with his food, Samuelsson shared his personal view of cultural relations and left students with more than a good taste in their mouths. For CTV news, I'm Janelle Mills.

Sports Roundup

In sports this week, the Columbia football team lost their third match in a row, falling to Dartmouth 28 to 6. Rain wasn’t the only downpour the Lions had to endure, as the Big Green ran for a staggering 279 yards. The gloomy forecast was a common theme this weekend, as the women’s field hockey team lost a heartbreaking 2-1 contest to Dartmouth on Saturday. The women’s volleyball team also dropped their weekend match-ups against Princeton and Penn, losing 3-1 and 3-0 respectively.

Spook-tacular times

Though Halloween may be a week away, the festivities have already gotten underway. On Friday, the IRC hosted a haunted house, with trick or treating and Halloween games on hand. And on Saturday, CCSC 2012 presented an outdoor haunted house that displayed the darker aspects of Columbia's campus. Halloween-themed activities will continue throughout the week, and there will be a free advanced screening of The Fourth Kind on Thursday, hosted by the Ferris Reel Films Society. The festivities will be capped off with the 36th annual New York’s Village Halloween Parade.