A Journalistic Mecca in Our Own Backyard

In truth, TBM is a guy with an iMac drinking coffee in his backroom. (Four dogs barking in the background; Vivaldi wafting through the house.) Who should be taking “a look at the stations and publications that cover Tampa Bay”? Why, the Poynter Institute, of course. PI is the New York Yankees of media magnets in terms of attracting talent to an academically altruistic “dream team.” So, why don’t they do it? Well, PI is an example of the best of Times and the worst of Times – literally. Namely because it was set up in 1975 by Nelson Poynter, then chairman of the St. Petersburg Times. The best? Journalists from all over the world arrive (sometimes starry-eyed) to ponder the finer points of their craft – and they do so with panache. To be accepted at PI as student or staff is heady stuff. The quality cross-pollination that takes place assures a high standard of education and helps give PI’s imprimatur on journalism the aura of a higher calling. Kudos. The worst? In effect, PI owns the St. Pete Times, which for years has oozed a sort of “ivory tower” éclat as it relates to the great unwashed masses clustered within its circulation base. The tendency toward isolation produced within the cocoon of a journalistic think tank only adds to the insulation of "Florida's Best Newspaper," which sometimes gives the impression it doesn’t wish to get its manicured fingernails dirty. Still, when it comes to the Poynter Institute, the Bay area is fortunate to have this journalistic jewel in its crown. TBM challenges PI to step outside its tower within a tower and produce an objective, lively, insightful look at the media in the Bay area. Then maybe TBM can get back to walkin’ the dogs. (And that would make TBM’s wife very happy.)