Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne visited journalism classes yesterday to discuss opinion writing and his career.
Dionne talked about how political journalism has developed since he began as a columnist in 1990. The main change he’s noticed is the way technology has amplified the “meanness” of politics.
He also discussed the Nixon-era when newspapers created op-ed pages and his writing process.
“You are entitled to your own opinions, but you are not entitled to your own facts,” Dionne said, quoting former New York Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
Dionne has spoken to introduction to journalism classes for four years, since his son, senior James Dionne, was a freshman.
Marit Bjornlund is a student in the third period Introduction to Journalism class.
R. Kerr • Feb 24, 2011 at 9:52 am
I agree about technology’s influence on “meanness.” Just look at Youtube comment sections – the dregs of humanity are right there for page after page. Before, people were yelling at their TV’s in isolation. Nowadays everyone’s yelling at imaginary versions of each other.
campbell mccarthy • Feb 23, 2011 at 11:49 pm
yeah EJ. my MAN