The Keys to Journalsim

  As I sat in one of the first of many Journalism One classes, all of the ideas and key concepts of journalism started to fit together like a puzzle inside my head. I began to not just admire great journalists, but also consider myself a beginner learning the ropes. Truth is the number one element of journalism, because who wants to read something they think is true but then find out it's not? Independence is for journalists to remember they should write just to write; not to please a particular group or lean toward a certain outcome. Watchdog, one of my particular favorites, is basically a version of spying, in which journalists keep a close eye on people with power. All of these standards plus more combine to make journalism, well, journalism.
  I started to notice all of these elements as I listened to the radio and read the newspaper. I was listening to NPR in the morning and heard the term "watchdog". Not only had I heard it before, I knew what it meant and why it was significant to journalism and the world around me. In this case, NPR was referring to keeping watch on Hillary Clinton and why she wasn't doing any public appearances or press conferences; she was only attending closed door fundraisers. Minutes later, they had one of Clinton's campaign managers talking over the phone on the show, and he got upset about what NPR told him they had observed. He told them that the number of public appearances she was doing might not have been enough for them, and then NPR cut him off right there and politely responded that they were only trying to get information for the people, which is the element of loyalty. It amazes me how much I've learned in the little time I've been in Journalism; I have been able to apply the elements to real life and learn how to become a better journalist.