wpfday_2

“Information is the oxygen of democracy.

The public has a right to know about the actions and decisions of their leaders at all levels and the availability of detailed information is an essential element of democracy and good government.”

 

 

This is the last paragraph in the linked article.

 

 

I would argue that information is the oxygen of enlightenment (which destroys ignorance).

 

Anyway.

 

The article in the Guardian, “World Press Freedom Day reminds us that information is democracy’s oxygen.”

 

Look.

 

I don’t really want to debate whether we actually have true investigative journalism these days versus money driven skewed opinionated journalism.

Suffice it to say for all its warts freedom of press, the sharing of information regardless of its cost, is a treasure we should cherish and protect.

 

And while professional journalism can be picked apart nonstop by the exceptions it would be good for us to remember not only the big wins of freedom of press (the sensationalized true discoveries) but the day to day responsible communication that occurs (because a lot does).

 

It would also pay to remind ourselves that professional journalists have ‘responsible reporting’ at the core of their beings. being responsible

 

 

Ok.

 

Let me explain.

 

I seriously doubt someone decides to become a journalist with the intent of being the best Enquirer reporter. They are inspired by NY Times and Guardian writing and Pulitzer prizes. Before you debate that think of your own career. As in my own … people enter into an advertising career to create responsible insightful artful communications not to create schlock or hackwork.

 

Sometimes the system is more powerful than the individual. But that does mean everyone can’t fight to get their head above the system every once in awhile.

 

Do we truly believe lawyers pursue a law degree to become an ambulance chaser? Isn’t it more likely they read To Kill a Mockingbird and envisioned standing up in court and making a difference? Professional journalists are just like you and I.

And to assume they want to provide skewed information is silly.

 

 

So.

 

Freedom and responsibility and money and the system.

 

We in America are fortunate to live in a country with a staggering amount of freedom. Yet most of the newspapers (printed communications) on sale use this freedom to communicate little more than gossip, hyperbole, innuendo and opinion masquerading somewhat as fact. Some would call today’s journalists masters of infotainment. My fear is that many people assume they are getting the truth when they buy a paper or switch on the TV. What they are getting is a sound bite of real news surrounded by a lot of sensationalism and a dose of propaganda (or maybe call it public relations skewed toward publisher opinion).

 

Yet.

 

I hesitate to call all of this misinformation, because it is information, but unfortunately it shifts the burden of “truth discovery” to us (the people). To find the truth we need to invest time accumulating information so we can assess what it real and what isn’t. (but that is a personal gripe).

 

The press, driven by monopoly ownership, creates problems. It makes journalism less about truth or the freedom of information and more about money. Regardless. Information is available to us, the people, in staggering amounts. And given time and effort we can discover truth. And that is a privilege not everyone has.

Press-Freedom-Index-2009

 

With that, let me end with a thought from JFK on journalism:

 

J.F. Kennedy, 27 April 1961:

 

We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive and unwarranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweigh the dangers which are cited to justify it.

I not only could not stifle controversy from your readers I welcome it.

 

That is why the Athenian law decreed it a crime for any citizen to shrink from controversy.

 

The Press duties are:

 

not primarily to amuse or entertain,
not to emphasize the trivial and sentimental,
not to simply give the public what it wants,
but to inform, to arouse, and to reflect
to state our dangers and our opportunities,
to indicate our crises and our choices,
to lead, mold, and educate and sometimes even anger public opinion.

 

So.

 

Take a moment and celebrate freedom of press. For it is oxygen for all.

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Written by Bruce