Doha, Qatar - February 1st, 2015

World-renowned media researcher David Weaver visited Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) this week to meet with local journalism students and discuss global reporting and the changing face of journalism.

Professor Weaver is a pre-eminent researcher of media issues, known especially for his work on journalistic professionalism through the much-respected series, The American Journalist. These studies provided the clearest assessment of who American journalists are (and were) with longitudinal tracking over several decades.

Professor Weaver's work extends to the international community: he recently published The Global Journalist in the 21st Century, an update on his 1998 project, The Global Journalist, that looks at the thoughts and perceptions of journalists around the world. This is particularly relevant as news and information moves beyond national borders and journalists increasingly write for international audiences.

"There is not a typical 'global journalist,'" said Weaver in address to NU-Q students and faculty, "but there are signs of international agreement on professional roles and values like independence, autonomy, credibility and reporting ethically."

One common thread among global journalists is technology. "Today there is a huge demand for content across multiple platforms, online and offline. Deadlines for journalists used to be every 24 hours, now it's constant. There's less time for analytical reporting and fact checking. On one hand, journalists need to keep up with consumer demands, but on the other, there needs to be accurate and responsible reporting. It's a double-edged sword," remarked Weaver.

A visit by such a prominent scholar is a chance for NU-Q students to learn more about what it means to be journalists, explains Everette E. Dennis, dean and CEO of NU-Q. "For decades David Weaver and his colleague G. Cleveland Wilhoit were the go-to sources for almost anything people wanted know about American journalists. The more we know about what scholars call 'the sociology of news,' the more we understand how to assess and evaluate news and news credibility."

Professor Weaver spent the past week at Northwestern University in Qatar speaking to the student body and meeting with the faculty and leadership teams. As well, Weaver visited classes to give students the opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussion about media studies and the role of the global journalist.

Photo caption: NU-Q freshman Huda Barakat sits down with journalism expert David Weaver to discuss reporting in the digital age.

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About Northwestern University in Qatar
Northwestern University in Qatar draws from its parent organization, Northwestern University (Evanston, Illinois), a distinguished history, world-renowned programs and an exceptional faculty. Founded in partnership with Qatar Foundation, NU-Q provides a framework through which students explore the world and learn to shape its future within the distinguished schools of communication, journalism and liberal arts.

© Press Release 2015