Editors' Comments

Newspaper Research Journal, Spring 2004 by Grusin, Elinor Kelley, Utt, Sandra H

NRJ

Volume 25, No. 2 * Spring 2004

We decided to mark the 25th anniversary of Newspaper Research Journal by asking former editors to write their thoughts on the significance of the journal's quarter of a century of publications. We offered no guidelines beyond that simple request.

From Guido Stempel III, associate editor and author of the first article in the first issue of NRJ, we heard about the need for a forum for practical newspaper research-research that would bring the academy and professionals closer together in dealing with real problems facing editors and reporters.

From the founding editor, Gerald Stone, we learned about NRJ's history. We also learned about the difficulties of starting a new journal and keeping it going with a small amount of money and a lot of work. Finally, we learned about the rewards of seeing a startup publication struggle, grow and eventually thrive. And we saw and felt the intense desire of an editor to make all of this happen. It is quite a legacy.

From the second editor, Ralph Izard, we heard more about the future than the past. Ralph offers a reality check on whether NRJ has succeeded in its initial goal of engaging professionals, in getting them to look to NRJ as a valuable source of research. Yes, professionals call and ask about research on certain subjects, he writes, but that's only anecdotal evidence of their interest. he also offers an agenda for future research in professionalism, diversity, technology and management/ advertising / circulation.

All three responses reprinted below offer insights into the past, present and future of the journal. As the present editors, we're grateful for their contributions. We're also indebted to the officers and members of the Newspaper Division for their support and to members of the journal's editorial review board, both past and present, for their time and commitment.

Elinor Kelley Grusin and Sandra H. litt, Co-Editors