U.S. business editor of The Economist Matthew Bishop talked about the increasing risks to journalists around the world during his keynote speech at the launch event for The Phillips Journalism Institute at The King's College in New York City on Sept. 18.
Bishop talked about the importance of journalism work, the physical risk to reporters covering military conflicts and the importance of mentorship of the kind John Phillips provided. He also spoke about his book, Philanthrocapitalism, the role of global philanthrocapitalists such as Bono and Bill Gates who are changing the approach to problems, including the decline of the news business. For example, he described how some philanthropists are funding journalism sites such as ProPublica.org, which are hiring investigative reporters to report on topics of the public interest at a time when many newspapers and magazines cannot afford to fund this kind of work as heavily as they did in the past. Bishop also discussed the differences between the US and British press and the future of the media industry in the US.
Professor Paul Glader presided over the event, welcoming dozens of journalism professionals from around New York City and beyond to 56 Broadway. The Institute is named after John McCandlish Phillips, a former New York Times reporter who passed earlier this year. Phillip’s friend and fellow church congregation elder Jaan Vaino shared about Phillips’ life and career, highlighting how he was a devout Christian, excellent journalist, and a committed mentor.
"John has left us a rich, teachable legacy," Vaino said. "The John McCandlish Phillips Institute at The King’s College gives us hope that what powered him can be gathered, grasped, and carried forward by a new generation."
King’s alumna, Meagan Clark ‘13 spoke about meeting Mr. Phillips during an intro to journalism class at King’s: “He exuded this almost tangible sense of purpose. He was this legend of a reporter in my mind, and yet, he was so humble.” She further reflected on the role King’s classes, mentorship, and hands-on experience helped prepare her for her job now at the International Business Times. “I’m so thankful for the way King’s and you all as supporters are building this journalism institute, because I know from experience what a difference the training, internships and mentoring can make in a student’s life.”
King’s President Gregory Thornbury introduced Universal Syndicate columnist Terry Mattingly, announcing that Mattingly will join King’s as a Senior Fellow of Religion and Media. "Through his highly regarded leadership over the years at The Washington Journalism Center and through his pioneering column at GetReligion.com, I can think of no more articulate voice speaking to place religion in the public square than Professor Terry Mattingly," Thornbury said.
The Phillips Journalism Institute exists to provide Christ-centered multimedia journalism training to students at King’s, in New York City, and nationwide. Students are welcome to apply for the 2015-2016 class of the NYC Semester in Journalism, which includes a 6-credit internship at a media outlet in New York City along with a select mix of courses on journalism and faith integration. Students from partner schools will be able to attend for a combined tuition and housing cost of $10,000, an incredible value in New York City.
Interested students, parents, and faculty can visit learn more or call the Phillips Journalism Institute director Paul Glader at 212-659-0742.