This subject hits close to home

from Lana L.    Mar 22

I have worked in the media and have seen a lot of distortion and under-reporting of the issues that are really important.  I've been amazed at how I could be at the same news events as high-profile journalists and later watch or read their coverage of the story only to be dissappointed by their complete lack of unbiased or innsuffient coverage.  I felt, many times, as though we could not have been attending the same event, yet I know that these journalists were witnessing the same events as I was.  It's so often about headlines and prepetuating empty stories that obscure the facts.  Many reporters report what they think will sell..... not what they know really happened.  Thank goodness for the internet! But it isn't enough -- we need to change how the "mainstream" press does its business.

Because journalism nowadays only skims the surface of issues that require much more higher level thi

from mark e.    Jan 02

Most articles written in local papers are only written on about a sixth grade reading level, and completely fail to present a full picture of the situation at hand, and the effects and influences that current events have on the world and the people who live in it.  Often, an article written about some political event will simply cover what happened, who was there, and what certain people (often another political figure) thought about it.  What should really be reported is how it influences the people of that country, what the majority of the people think about said event, and how it affects other countries and what their political leaders think about it.  It should also include a brief history of happenings that led up to the whole affair, and probable future happenings that might be caused by what happened.  Too often this does not happen, and people sit there and lap up the drivel published by the newspapers and journals of our country.  The whole purpose of investigative journalism is for journalists to go out and find out what is going on, why its going on, and how it could influence whats going on in the future.  Included would be who is affected, and why they are.  Journalism represents free speech, and without it, our country represents a bunch of ignorant nonchalant sheep! Wake up youth of the nation!  Your being fucked over, and you don't even know it!

Someone needs to keep the Politicians in check

from John H.    Aug 30, 2007

Given that both sides of the aisle seem intent on obfuscating the issues and their positions on those issues, as well as outright lying to the public, the media needs to do a better job of presenting topics/issues in an unbiased and objective manner.  Further, media outlets that purport to be 'news' outlets need to earn that title and stop emmulating TMZ.com.  Crisis in Darfur, heightening tensions in the Balkans, US-Russian relations that have plummeted to Cold War lows, failed US foreign policy in the Mid-East...no, CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, and others feel it pertinent to report on Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, Barrack's middle name, talk to no end about Mike Vick, and a host of other irrelevant topics.  Of course, the high ratings these "news" outlets receive for covering Anna Nicole Smith does lay blame on those who watch...the American public. 

Paris Hilton?

from Sean F.    Jul 13, 2007

Come on, how about covering Bush laughing in the face of an old lady who has to work 3 jobs to pay the rent? We need some real news already.

Help us govern

from Jerry M.    Jul 08, 2007

Democracy, insofar as it works at all, is completely dependent on a critical press. The last seven years have shown that today's media enterprises can be spun, flummoxed, even used successfully to run whatever foreign policy one might want. Even one with little rational sense to recommend it. But the press doesn't fight back. It might lose access. Funding.

Journalism is influenced on many levels

from Isaac H.    Jul 08, 2007

This change is so important, as long as we keep in mind that the problems most often have to do with systems (owners of media organizations) and the many often subtle ways they can influence their employees. It's so crucial for us to support individual journalists because often they do not even realize that their perceptions and reporting are influenced by the indirectly expressed opinions of their bosses.

photography

from Stephanie H.    Jul 06, 2007

As a photographer and a writer I strongly agree to "quality"  even though there are differing views as to what quality is.My conception of it is providing people with facts in a non-biased and engaging form.  As long as media is presented to the masses uncensored and "truthful" than I feel journalism is of quality..

yaaay!

from Princess E.    May 02, 2007

I myself strive to be a journalist. I am currently studying advanced english in pursuit of this dream. Mainly, i aim to be a journalist, basically to bring about realisations upon society as to the reality of the world, and to attempt to make a difference. However, today's society depresses me, as i read through local newspapers the sight is rather downheartening. Journalism and journalists today have tended to state opinion only, rather than supporting this with facts. And i state a fact here, go and read your local newspaper! Quality journalism is not only opinion supported by facts, but it is also written in such a manner that a piece of writing which is subjective, can often be portrayed as objective.

Journalism Major

from Willow H.    Mar 27, 2007

I plan on going into journalism because I believe that people have a right to know all of the facts and make an informed decision, rather than be swayed to one side by manipulated figures or ideas.