I believe that journalism houses a pretty interesting
quality. I think journalism is different for each person. Journalism reaches
everyone differently and what one person takes away from journalism could be
incredibly different than what someone else takes from journalism. I think it has
to do with what each reader is seeking.
If the
reader is seeking inspiring, comforting or even exciting stories, than those
stories will stand out to them. The reader will gain the sense that the world
is full of goodness and that mankind is innately moral.
Now, on the
other hand, if a different reader is seeking scary and disheartening stories
that weaken the public’s faith in mankind, then that reader will find those
stories.
It’s been
said that journalists are to, “comfort the afflicted and afflict the
comfortable.” What I gather from that is that journalism watches out for the
reader and offers them what they are looking for. If the public needs to be
more aware of a certain issue, be it personal or social, journalism steps up
and showcases those stories. On the other hand, journalists also gauge if the
public needs an inspirational, faith-building story. Journalists, then in this
sense, fulfill the watchdog role by offering the public what it needs.
One
investigative piece that has specifically influenced my life was written by Nigel
Jacquiss and it is entitled, “The 30-Year Secret.” http://www.pulitzer.org/archives/7648
This piece showcases the scandal behind Portland, Oregon’s governor
and his 3-year long sexual relationship with a 14-year old girl while in
office. No word of the scandal was spoken until 30 years after the instance had occurred. What makes this piece so personally influential was that I lived in
Portland while this very crime was being committed. Once Jacquiss published this
story, Oregon was changed dramatically. The people became less trusting of
officials and more aware of sexual crime.
This is a picture of the governor, Neil Goldschmidt:
I believe because of Jacquiss and investigative reporting, Oregonians benefited from the fulfilled journalistic watchdog role.
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