Take a stand: How journalism can regain its relevance.

Ever since the town criers of history began doing their rounds and announcing recent events, there was already a conflict brewing whether listeners to these forerunners of journalists should just listen to what they say or also ask them their opinions. Fast forward to the modern ages and we still have the same problem. Does objective journalism only mean the news reporters and writers are only there to report what happened or should they also report the issue on the matter? If we dwell on this, it is going to be a chicken and egg matter of which is which first. If we go by the premise that journalism is there only to “keep the record of events and tell” the event, then they are nothing more than an audio and video recorder capturing what is. Now if we insist on public service journalism where they report the issue and offer opinion on what is being reported, then they are not only audio or video recorders but avenues of reporting that captures not just the news but the essence thereof.

Then again a conundrum exists because journalists should be as objective as possible and the moment they start talking about the issue, then their objectivity wavers. As what Cunningham writes: “This equation leaves far too little room for the press’s other, more important, roles: investigator, explainer, and, I would add, arbiter of our national conversation (2009).” Personally I find this a non-issue considering journalists can still be record keepers and news reporters. But when they get into the public service part, then that should also be considered journalism albeit on a specialized role. In the same manner as other professions have specialization and have redefined their roles, journalists should also start redefining themselves to keep up with the tides of time.

Bibliography:


Cunningham, B. (2009) “Take a stand: How journalism can regain its relevance.” Columbia Journalism Review [Internet] September/October, Available from: <http://www.cjr.org/feature/take_a_stand.php?page=all> [Accessed 27 October 2009].