Section D
听力原文： After reaching its peak in 1990s, journalism seems to be cast in bleak and grim prospects. We are enduring the worst recession in the advertising market since at least the 1950s.
Yet, I am optimistic about the future of journalism. Journalism is the business of bringing information and opinion about public affairs to a mass audience. So long as the people want to know the world around, they will want journalism.
In fact, the growth of journalism is rapid and all transforming than any change since the advent of cheap printing, newspaper, radio or other mass media. However, contrasts are obvious. Over the past decade and a half, many newsmagazines are dying, but the Economist, also a news magazine, flourishes.
The TV networks are shrinking. The American networks' evening programs have only a little more than half the audience they had a decade ago. Yet there is more and better news and information program available to North American viewers than ever before. The daily newspapers are losing their readers. And yet, the newspaper readers have access to almost every title in the world instantaneously, either free or at a lower cost.
Journalists feel that cost-conscious managements are squeezing their ability to do serious and in-depth and unusual work. But we can check into the vast on-line network of bloggers and learn from somebody directly on the spot more facts than even the most lavishly funded reporter would ever tell me.
So if these are the worst of times, they are also the best of times.
After reaching its【21】in 1990s, journalism seems to be cast in bleak and grim prospects. We are enduring the worst【22】in the advertising market since at least the 1950s.
Yet, I am【23】about the future of journalism. Journalism is the business of bringing information and opinion about public affairs to a mass audience. So long as the people want to know the world around, they will want【24】.
In fact, the growth of journalism is rapid and all【25】than any change since the advent of cheap【26】, newspaper, radio or other mass media. However, contrasts are obvious. Over the past decade and a half, many newsmagazines are dying, but the【27】, also a news magazine, flourishes.
The TV networks are【28】. The American networks' evening programs have only a little more than half the audience they had a decade ago. Yet there is more and better news and information program available to North American viewers than ever before.
The daily newspapers are losing their readers. And yet, the newspaper readers have【29】to almost every title in the world instantaneously, either free or at a lower cost.
Journalists feel that cost-conscious【30】are squeezing their ability to do serious and in-depth and unusual work. But we can check into the vast on-line network of bloggers and learn from somebody directly on the spot more facts than even the most lavishly funded reporter would ever tell me.
So if these are the worst of times, they are also the best of times.
(21)