Todays News media has abused their power and the broader American public has lost faith in this invaluable institution. Here are just a few examples of How they have abused their power:

• They Drive Hyper Partisan Narratives.
• They Push narratives that drive their agenda.
• They Attack, Demean and Label those who hold a different opinion.
• They Perpetuate division within our country through their partisan and divisive narratives.
• They Ruin peoples lives based on incomplete reporting just to be the first to report on the air with it and when they get it wrong they burry their retractions.
• They Try people in the court of public opinion all in the name of Politics, Ratings or Special Interests. 
• They Drive Fear and Suspicion of various communities.
• They Sit on stories that should be reported but are not due to the power of the individuals involved in the story.

I am strongly against government regulation, Am a strong supporter of the first amendment however journalism has been high-jacked by hyper partisans, corporations and special interest.  I believe we have reached a point that some form of oversight should be put in place before their institution collapses. Journalist have a duty to speak truth to power but not the carefully spun talking points of special interests groups, corporations and political parties without disclosing their affiliations to those groups.

Just like other professions informs and provide professional guidance to their clients(Lawyers, Accountants, Financial advisors, Contractors, Insurance Agents, Real Estate Agents, etc.) journalists should be held to the same standard. Here are some suggestions on how they could do so.

• All Journalist should be require to be Licensed, and held to the same licensing requirements that other professions are held to.
• A Reporting Standards board should be established that sets specific guidelines that all reporting agencies must follow.
• They should be required to take a licensing exam and complete continuing education hours to have their license renewed annually.
• Disclose any memberships or donations to All groups or special interests that have a stake in the issue(s) they are reporting on at the bottom of the screen or at the top of the article when they report their story on tv or in a publication.
• There should be federal database for which those disclosured affiliations can be easily accessed by the general public.
• Provide equal time and consideration to opposing points of view.
• Post retractions at the top of the front page of their newspaper,  website or at the bottom of the screen on TV for at least 24 hours.
• CEOs of Corporations that own a news agency should not be allowed to control what is reported by the news agency.
• The reporting standards board should have the ability to fine a news agency for an excessive number of retractions.
• The reporting standards board should be able to investigate claims of false reporting or failure to disclose affiliations to groups or exculpatory information.
• Report on more positive stories.
• News Headlines should actually match the actual facts of the story being reported.
• Use Headlines that are not Divisive where appropriate.
• News Organization Editors should report stories or editorials regardless of whether the employees agree with the position of the person writing it. Editors should not have to fear reprisal of their employees.

I acknowledge that this petition is not perfect, but it is a start. The news media has lost the trust of the majority of the American public and they are in need of reforms. If you agree with me that the news media needs modify their reporting practices please sign this petition and share it.