Is there such thing as journalism anymore? If there is, is journalism integrity important? You wouldn't think so anymore. Every time I open up my newsfeed and see President Trump or his press secretary attacking the media. I understand why people have a problem with the media, it can be biased and sensationalized. I am here to tell you as an English student and a potential journalist, we as a country need unbiased media.
I can honestly say, it is disconcerting at the least to see such a negative attitude towards journalists. As a 20-year-old, the real world is already such a scary place to think about. To think about being hated for what I love to do to upsetting. I love to write, I make no secret of that. I have been on Odyssey and Ohio Northern's student paper for two years. Yes, being a liberal art major has made me liberal in my beliefs but I do understand conservative concerns. I have conservatives in my family, I have people who voted for Trump in my family. Many people ask me why I am a little afraid of becoming a journalist.
How could I not be wary? There are beliefs like the one above out there.
When I write an article disagreeing with Trump, do I need to be worried about one of his supporters wrapping a rope around my neck? Will I be hated and silenced because I am reporting the truth? Will this administration silence the media and the press because they are reporting things the President doesn't like?
I remember during the campaign countless stories arose about the press being harassed while they were in their pen. American journalists shouldn't have to worry about whether or not they will be safe at a political rally. Every politician should acknowledge that free press is a necessity. Without it, the United States of American can no longer call itself free or a democracy
I hope we can rebuild the relationship between the public and the press. The press is supposed to the watchdog on the powerful, how can they do that when people don't believe a single word that comes out of their mouths?
I would hate to think that when I go out into the real word, there would be people who hated and distrusted me simply because I am a journalist. We need people to start telling the truth again and we need people to start believing in the press again.
Watch out for those hyper-partisan sites on Facebook. Actually, stop getting your news from Facebook. If you google the story and it is not on any major news site, it might be fake. If the article has no author, it might be fake. Start reading newspapers and watching the news. Start making the politicians, including the president, are held accountable.
