Journalism Matters Because...

Prior to the National Press Foundation’s 27^th Annual Awards Dinner we wanted to hear why students and young journalists around the country believe journalism matters.  We asked them, via Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, to submit brief essays on the topic.  The number of quality responses that we received was overwhelming, and the essays were judged competitively.  The contest’s winner was Liz Medhin, a television reporter and anchor at WHAM in Rochester, New York.  This is Liz reading her essay at the dinner:

Liz’s essay was one of almost 60 essays submitted to the contest.  More essay's can be read after the jump:

 

Journalism matters because reporters of all backgrounds have the unique opportunity to be the ears and voices of our communities. In today's society, where so much change is occurring in the economy, politics, and everyday families, journalism is the avenue in which important news is expressed. For example, I cover two small cities in the rural Crawford County, Ohio. Both cities are undergoing many changes in their respective governments while economic hardship continues to grow. Citizens need journalism to effectively inform them of tragedies, corruption, hardship and victories that make a difference in their communities.

Terricha Bradley
 Mansfield News Journal, Ohio

 

Journalism matters because people need it. The elderly couple needs to know where the Council on Aging is distributing food. Undecided voters need to hear candidates’ platforms from an objective third party and not out of context. Parents need to know about their child’s school events because notes never make it to them. The family needs to know where to get vaccinated and the risks involved. The needs are big and small – some dire, some closer to wants. Journalism is idealistic and imperfect, but it believes strongly in service and truth. The world needs that, and in greater quantities.

Leigh Guidry
Natchitoches, Louisiana

 

Journalism allows the people to know what's going on in the world. Cliché, but true. How would we get information about our political leaders? About natural disasters? About inventive new products? How would we be armed with the right info to vote in election? It raises awareness about diseases, new technology, new laws, new charitable organizations. Journalists tell us about the people, the causes, and the events near us that are current and affect our lives.

Gabriel Shore
Syracuse University

Journalism matters because we are the voice of the people. It is our duty to inform, critique, and investigate. Without Journalism and mass media the world would be left to trust the tales of whoever has enough money to sway the public opinion. Journalism is unbiased, unlike love, it’s not kind or patient, but through it all one thing you can guarantee is that Journalism is truthful. It matters because without it the world would be a misinformed, less colorful, and a more corrupted place.

Dionne Buxton
University of Oklahoma

Journalism was the gateway between the mundane and the extraordinary – the pedestal upon which a select, trusted few could inform all the rest – the means by which the many were involved in their world.

It isn’t anymore.

People are creating their own news stories. As we increasingly rely on Wikipedia, Google, iWitness Reports, blogs, and Flip cameras for news, traditional journalism media fall on the back burner. But more citizen participation has generated transparency and openness in a world of secrets.

The new landscape of news includes more voices than ever. Today, journalism is vital to our democracy.

Pooja Shah
Fremont, CA

Why do you think that journalism matters?  Leave us a comment and let us know!