BulletProofBlog the blog on crisis communications

The recent death of Walter Cronkite reminded me of one of his favorite sayings that I learned as a young reporter: The role of a journalist is to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted.

But today, too many journalists have become celebrities in their own right, far too comfortable in their elite status, socializing and courting acceptance with the very actors, politicians, and public figures they write about. Is it a coincidence that as so many journalists have risen to become "stars" there has been a corresponding decline in public trust in their work? A recent Zogby poll, for example, found that 56 percent of Americans now would choose the Internet as their sole source of information, while 21 percent would choose television and only 10 percent would prefer newspapers.

Because of this decline, many are declaring the death of newspapers - and even journalism itself. But in fact, authentic journalism is being resurrected today by some of the very same people who are being blamed for its demise. For example, with nearly 2 million unique visitors apiece each month, The Drudge Report and The Huffington Post now rival the readership of The New York Times and The Washington Post. Perhaps the best and most vivid example of how journalism is being re-invented is the Deadline Hollywood Blog, published by Nikki Finke, a cranky truth-teller and former colleague of mine at The Associated Press.

By applying traditional journalistic skills, a fierce work ethic, and a penchant to shun the spotlight, Finke is practicing journalism in the fearless mold of H.L. Mencken, Edward R. Murrow, and even the original American pamphleteer, Thomas Paine. She' s a true throwback who calls ' em as she sees ' em, consistently scooping her hidebound rivals and lancing the tender sensibilities and hypocrisies of Hollywood' s establishment.

Known as one of the most feared woman in Hollywood, Finke is the real deal. She doesn' t schmooze with the people she writes about and disdains celebrity status. Only one known picture of her, released in 2006, exists on the Internet.

No, Journalism isn' t dead. In fact, it' s in the process of being re-created by blogs and other non-traditional sources like Finke. They are independent, fearless, and speaking freely about whatever subjects they choose. Messy, unruly, and disrespectful, yes. But not to worry. This is what true Journalism is supposed to be.

Gene Grabowski is Senior Vice President of Crisis and Litigation at Levick Strategic Communications and a contributing author to Bulletproof Blog.