Taking back our freedoms

By Scott Ammons
Senior Staff Writer

In the last edition of the Pine Needle, staff writer Ryan Jenkins expressed his concerns about the current problems with American journalism, such as unbiased reporting, inaccurate sources and the loss of free press.

For the most part, Mr. Jenkins hit the nail on the head. The press has lost a great deal of its guaranteed freedoms. This is a disgrace to all the men and women who died for this right. In no way does the press enjoy the freedom our forefathers penned for us over two centuries ago. However, it’s pointless to call for a journalistic revolution, when you're as guilty as the people you are accusing.

The first thing we learn in journalism school is to report the news and not an opinion. This topic isn’t browsed over and tucked away, it’s a repetitive lesson taught throughout our academic career. It’s supposed to guide a journalist throughout his/her career. But somewhere between starting and finishing a career, self gratification, preservation and big contracts take hold of a person.

A perfect example would be last year’s presidential election. You didn’t have to be a loyal viewer of CBS or Fox to know who they were backing. Both of these news outlets were biased, and yes their sources were less than accurate. But to point out one network, one newspaper or one reporter would be foolish.

Journalists can either put their spin on the actual events and rely on sources that are less than accurate because it creates a broadcast that generates advertising dollars, or they can take back all of our guaranteed First Amendment rights by reporting just the news and leaving the blame game to the talk show hosts. I’m not referring to the news talk shows such as “Imus” or “Scarborough Country.” These types of news shows deal with particular issues and are watched or listened to with certain expectations.

In order for change to take place, news organizations need to stop selling the news and just report it. They must allow society to make up their own minds by fairly and accurately reporting the news. In a capitalistic society, this brand of courage would be considered financial suicide. Mark Twain once said, “Courage is not the act of fear. It is acting in spite of it.”

If a change in the way the news now operates is what you want, then do the exact opposite of what has become the norm- stay neutral.

Napoleon once said he feared four newspapers more than a thousand bayonets. He was right - the pen is mightier than the sword, but only if it’s used properly. Society would benefit more if journalists sharpened their pens on the rock of truth, not the importance of a financial bottom line. Remember the foundation on which a journalist’s career is built and the silent oath we take to be society’s watchdog - always report the truth and not an opinion.