Truth and Journalism: Can They Coexist?

Truth is a very important part of a Latter-day Saint's life. At this university and in our personal lives we are admonished to seek truth in all things, and if we cannot find truth in something, we are to shun that something. However, as a Latter-day Saint journalist, our quest for truth may be somewhat different when our careers are concerned.

The job of a journalist is to find the truth and report it. But what is truth? That question has been asked throughout time, and even though many have found large portions of universal truth, the difficult part is finding truth in the goings-on of our everyday lives and in our communities.Truth is the basis upon which people make their decisions.  This is why it is so important for journalists to find the truth and report it with accuracy.

The text gives the definition of "functional truth" and its importance in journalism. For example, police arrest a suspect of a crime based on the facts that they are given by witnesses and by circumstantial evidence. This does not necessarily mean the person is, in truth, guilty. However, in the meantime, police use this functional truth to carry out their jobs.

Journalists are expected to do the same. We are given a set of facts. We check the reliability of those facts. If reliable, we go with them. Sometimes, however these so-called "facts" may not be "facts." It's sort of like the childhood game of telephone. One person tells me something, but facts can get distorted once they get to someone else. If we attribute them to the person who gave the facts, we are not guilty of libel or slander. The facts given may end up not being truth, and if that happens we are forced to look for the truth elsewhere.

The question is this: Can truth and journalism coexist? I believe they can. Maybe not truth in the eternal or the philosophical sense, but journalists can uncover the truth of a certain situation or event based on facts they are given. The journalist may encounter roadblocks and detours to the truth along the way, but if he or she can finally find the truth, they have done their job.

Who is a Journalist?

Blogging Experience

            This was not my first blogging experience, although I have never been a huge blogger. My first experience with blogging came when I decided to make a film blog in which I critiqued certain films I had recently seen. Being a film buff, this was a fun way to tell people what I liked and did not like and maybe get my friends out to see the movies I endorsed. I believe there are two main reasons for blogging: 1) depending on the blog, it is a way to put your opinions out there and sway others’ opinions. 2) It is also a way to let people see into your own personal life.

            From a journalist perspective, I do not believe that blogging is a very effective way to be a journalist, given the reasons I listed for blogging above. The purpose of journalism is not to sway public opinion or to give people a glimpse inside your life. The purpose of journalism is to find the truth and report it, and let the public decide for themselves. In this regard, I think that despite our social networking and blogging world, not everyone can be labeled a “journalist.”

            Many argue that anyone can be a journalist nowadays with Twitter and Facebook. While this is an effective way to get word out to people about goings-on in the community, state and country, many people abuse this title of “citizen journalist” by putting their own opinions in their posts. People may do this because of cable news networks and the so-called “journalists” on Fox News and CNN (namely Glenn Beck and Joy Behar to name a few). Many personalities on cable news networks, and even some of the main networks, are commentators. I think people who post about issues on Facebook, Twitter, and Blogger are “citizen commentators,” not “citizen journalists.

What is Journalism?

   I think that is a loaded question, nevertheless it can be answered on a number of different levels. Journalism, to me, is the act of finding topics that are of interest to the public and publishing them; one can publish nowadays in a variety of media, for example: Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, etc. Journalism in the 21st century is no longer limited to newspaper or broadcast organizations.
   Journalism brings people together. An informed public is the strength of any nation. The first Amendment is one of the most important writings in history. I believe the American example of what journalism is and can be is a shining example for nations around the world.
  Journalism is the creator of public opinion. It can sway voters. It can invoke powerful emotions in people: anger, sadness, happiness, etc. The power of journalism is great, and unfortunately I think journalists today know that and take advantage of it. I believe that journalists have a responsibility to find the truth and report it and let the public make their own opinion.