My passion for the press
Napolean once famously said, “I fear three newspapers more than a hundred thousand bayonets.”
As a journalist, I don’t prey on that fear, but I do embrace it as a reputation. We are ethically bound to uphold the public’s interests by putting facts on display, and letting each individual form their own opinion. You have to have an ego to be a great journalist. You have to think that what you do is important to enjoy your job.
I love my job, and I strive to be a great journalist.
Understanding that my career is only five years young (I just turned 26), I have been following closely the ironically-front page news about my industry’s inevitable demise with critical attention. While some prognosticators argue that print journalism is a dying breed, I argue that it will always remain the elder statesmen of an immortal tribe, welcoming new members to its circle as the years go on (online journalism, blogs, Twitter, Facebook and who knows what else the universe has in store – can you say holographic press releases!?)
That brings me to a recommendation for a good read on the topic — “The Reconstruction of American Journalism,” by Leonard Downie, Jr. and Michael Schudson. Downie is a former exec for the Washington Post, while Schudson is a sociologist who studies the history and future of journalism.
It’s a lengthy report, but if interested, it is well worth your reading time.
