Today, CNN is the first draft, newswires are the second draft, newspapers are the revision, and magazines are the synthesis. Cyberpostings are just noise. Journalists have a heavy burden. We are supposed to challenge the status quo, raise questions. What I hope to learn is how to do these things in a way that I can live with.
Legends do it every week.
Journalists would be insufferable in any other profession. A journalist is entrusted with the power to keep an eye on government, private industry, social trends, and the like. He or she is an essential part of a democracy, offering a check against the abuses of power. Recording history is not the goal of the journalist, but this is ultimately what he or she accomplishes in the attempt to present information that is believed to be of importance to the public. To me, journalism is a call to search for the truth, regardless of where the effort may lead, and fairly and accurately report the results.