Quote of the Day

"This instrument can teach, it can illuminate and yes it can inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is nothing but wires and lights in a box." -RTNDA Convention

I picked this quote out from the previous readings and lectures we had earlier on in the semester. I liked this quote because not only does it talk about he power that stems from being a journalist but also the power the reader plays in society. Without the journalist, true journalism wouldn't exist. There would be non one who puts out thorough articles that have been reviewed by multiple people. You wouldn't have anyone who is verifying their facts and checking their sources to makes sure the information they are putting out there is accurate. People wouldn't have a legitimate source to go through after hearing news from a friend, on a blog or through a facebook status update. As the quote states, journalists ave the power to teach, illuminate and inspire. What a great opportunity, and responsibility us journalists have.

Just as the journalists have power to produce news, viewers have the power to receive it. Without people reading the newspaper, reading articles online, checking blogs weekly, or watching their morning news, journalists wouldn't have a job. It's the people that crave the news that keep the journalists working. If journalists produced an article but there was no one to read it, no people to talk and discuss it, it would be dead. A lot of society determines what is news and what is in the papers. Ultimately companies like the New York Times want to make money and hey will produce and put out stories they know will sell and they know will interest the general public. As long as the people want to read an follow stories like the balloon boy or Tiger Woods personal affairs, news outlets will continue to put those stories in the paper. We as society have the power to steer what direction will the news will turn. So as the quote says the news can inspire to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends.

So the power lies within us journalists and as readers in society. Lets just continue to produce and be influenced by good news.