Boundary Work, Journalism Education, and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938

Abstract

This article examines how the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 became a catalyst for specialized accreditation in journalism. It analyzes the rhetoric and boundary work of the American Society of Newspaper Editors and the American Association of Schools and Departments of Journalism as they sought professional status for journalism. When the newspaper industry challenged the FLSA in court, these groups intensified efforts to develop an authoritative accrediting body. This study utilizes historical and archival documents to explore the dynamics surrounding journalism’s professionalization project. It demonstrates how regulatory pressures transformed soft power claims into institutionalized standards for journalism education.