But Dr. Reynalds’ study of print and broadcast journalists suggests they are not likely to spend much time or effort to improve their coverage of the homeless.
Yet his talks with the homeless show they expect more from the media and are deeply critical of the shallow coverage the news media give them and their plight.
Dr. Reynalds’ study broadens our understanding of the troubles of the homeless and helps us see what we don’t know. Reading his study gives us new understanding of the beggar on the street corner and the stumbling drunk looking for shelter in an alley or under a bridge. It tells us about a piece of America few of us understand or worry very much about.
–Bob M. Gassaway, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Communication and Journalism University of New Mexico