IN DEFENSE OF TRAINED JOURNALISTS

I listened to Kim Mulkey's “defense” to the pending Washington Post story, including her collective critique of journalists and journalism. It’s the latter that I’m focusing my attention below, because we hear this all too often.

This is a phrase often uttered when one’s view of a media outlet is negative, particularly when they feel targeted. To them, it’s justified. Yet, as a journalism major and someone who is passionate about the field, I found myself reflecting on the broader landscape of media discourse and the influential language in such statements. Despite her frustrations, it's essential to distinguish between the honorable work of dedicated journalists and the multitude of voices vying for attention.

In our current media environment, the pursuits of principled journalism often find themselves overshadowed by the commotion of sensationalism, clickbait, and self-proclaimed influencers, or media personalities. These latter figures, “free” from the rigorous standards of traditional journalism, churn out content driven by the allure of viral engagement. Their presence looms large on social media platforms, where narratives are often tailored to reinforce existing beliefs rather than to challenge or inform.

Gone are the days when figures like Walter Cronkite and Tom Brokaw commanded the collective trust of the public, guiding us through the world with integrity and clarity. In their absence, an excess of voices begs for attention, blurring the distinction between genuine journalism, which still exists, and mere noise.

So, how can we diminish the noise? Just as Fred Rogers advised, “Look for the helpers,” we should look for the journalists committed to the principles of accountability, responsibility and integrity; and, we must do so objectively. Though it may be a daunting task, we’ve grown accustomed to gravitating towards sources that reaffirm our beliefs and reacting harshly to those that challenge them. We’ve shifted from being educated to being indoctrinated. It’s up to us to change this pattern of behavior.