For journalism, the future is now
The change may sound like part of a media satire by comedian John Oliver — a technology whiz takes over an esteemed teaching and research center at Harvard dedicated to strong journalism — but it’s no joke. And Nicco Mele is definitely not coming in to push for more stories about puppies. As Mele settles in as the new director of the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), his expertise dovetails with the natural and necessary recognition that journalism’s survival is inextricably linked to the digital world. He took the reins from Thomas Patterson, the Bradlee Professor of Government and the Press, who served as acting director during the 2015-2016 academic year. An Internet strategist and political junkie, Mele first made his mark in the digital operation for former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean during his 2004 presidential bid, work that many observers called...