Elements of Journalism

I think one of the most important aspects of the second half of the Elements of Journalism lies in the sixth chapter. "They were putting new emphasis on the role of the press as activist, reformer, and exposer." This to me is the most important principal of journalism: Offering a voice to the voiceless, as the title of the chapter says.

Ever since the days of the pamphleteer in the colonies journalists have been integral in exposing injustices and righting wrongs of oppression. Stirring public opinion and even inciting revolt. While this is a responsibility that can and has been exploited by people the Hearst and Pulitzer, it can also be used, as it was in the days of the colonies, to escape tyranny. This principle is part of the reason why we have a first amendment. And how this chapter details how certain reporters are rewarded for their work and integrity of exposing wrongs and just giving the unheard a voice. The most famous and inspiring story of this nature has to be Woodward and Bernstein's exposition of the Nixon administration's illegal practices. They wrote something that needed to be written and shared and now have books published every couple years, and a movie made about them. I would kill to have Robert Redford play me even now, not to mention twenty five years ago! 

This book as a whole is very potent and offers many excellent guidelines to follow in being an ethical journalist, but I think this chapter is the most righteous and inspiring of the whole volume. It's very basic and pure and makes me proud to be in this class.