Journalist.... What Should They Be and Do?

From the 1389 Blog and McGraw Hill.

In their book The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect, Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel list the basic guiding concepts for journalists:

• Journalism’s first obligation is to tell the truth.
• Journalism’s first loyalty is to its citizens.
• The essence of journalism is a discipline of verification.
• Journalists must maintain an independence from those they cover.
• Journalists must serve as an independent monitor of power.
• Journalism must provide a forum for public criticism and comment.
• Journalists must make the significant interesting and relevant.
• Journalists should keep the news in proportion and make it comprehensive.
• Journalists have an obligation to personal conscience.

I can't think of very many journalists who meet those goals, and sadly, most Americans do not seem to expect it.  They look for agreement with their own views, not facts.  When presented with facts, the public calls journalists meanspirited and  heartless.  I am reminded of Paul's letter to the Corinthians....

"1And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. 2I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, 3for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?…"

Are we all helpless infants then, tolerating only milk, and not yet ready for meat?