What do ‘Serial’ and Barbara Walters have in common? What we’ve learned so far from The Poynter 50.
Ten down, 40 to go.
When we launched The Poynter 50 — our yearlong project highlighting people and moments that changed journalism over the past half century — we knew it would be ambitious. But we also knew this industry is full of big swings, quiet revolutions and stories that age in fascinating ways. So far, we’ve covered groundbreaking tech shifts (Mercury Center), seismic scoops (Matt Drudge, TMZ), and a teenage bystander who changed history with a phone.
To mark the occasion, I sat down with senior media writer Tom Jones, co-creator of the series, for a quick gut check. What’s surprised us? What has sparked debate? And where are we headed next?
Here’s our conversation, lightly edited for brevity and clarity.
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