CBS News journalist Scott Pelley has been quoted as
saying, “There is no democracy
without journalism... If we lose good journalism, America will lose its
vitality in the world.” The sentiment of this statement is as topical
now as when our founding fathers bound the freedoms of speech and of the press into
The Bill of Rights in the United States Constitution. We are living in a world
were those who would control your way of life are also trying to control the
information that you have access to. This is evident in not only the corporate
controlled media prevalent in the United States, but extends to the outright
slaughter of journalists that is happening around the world.
In 2015, sixty-one
journalist were killed for providing you information about those who would
oppress your freedoms. Despite dangers to themselves, journalists continue to
report about those committing acts contrary to the common good. Be these acts of
violence and terror or the secret intrigues of corporations and governments. To
report on those who seek to remove your rights to self-actualization and
self-determination, journalist provided us, the public, with information that
we may act upon. That we may use to defend our rights and to try and secure the
rights of those being oppressed. Without journalists exposing these activities
and informing you of the atrocities being committed, the perpetrators would be
able to take you unawares. Without good information, Americans lose the ability
to effectively react to what is happening in the world.
In the connected age of
the Internet and social media, it is more important than ever to have strong
journalism. Extremist organizations are now not only using social media, but are
also becoming experts at it. They are using its power and portability to aggrandize
their acts of terror and spread them beyond regional borders. This is clearly demonstrated
in the online celebrations by the Islamic State after the terror attacks in
Paris in November 2015. By having a strong journalism and reporters willing to
find and report about what is really happening and place it in a wider context,
we have a counter to the propaganda that is being spread by those seeking to
oppress freedom.
Reinforcing his
sentiments, Scott Pelley also said, “The quality of life
in America is dependent on the quality of the journalism. Most people don't
realize that, but if you think about it, journalism is one of the pillars on
which our society is perched.” If we fail to protect and nurture this
pillar of our society, we will lose what it is supporting. We lose one of the
checks and balances against those who would undermine our society. We lose the voice of those interested in the
common good advising us about what we need to know. Whether this is about
unethical quests for bigger profits or the terrorist pursuits of those holding extremist
beliefs, we as a society need to know.
Sources:
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