"Why journalism?" people often ask me when I tell them my course of studies at SHSU. "Why not?" I say.
I suppose they expect me to say something more glorified like business or accounting, but even those in such professions may not necessarily be following their hearts, but perhaps their pocketbooks. No one goes into journalism for the money, that's for sure.
I suppose people have lost faith in the integrity of the news media; after all, many blame our media for leading us into a war under false pretenses. People are quick to express their negative views of the news media by deeming it, "liberal" or "biased."
But these are precise reasons why an ambitious, eager young person with a real feel for current events might take to such an area of study. In recent years, mainstream journalism in this country has failed to fulfill its role as a watchdog on the government, and instead only pushed the agenda of a war-hungry administration. It's sickening the degree of control over public opinion that has taken place within our country. Can we not think for ourselves anymore?
Investigative journalism still remains promising though. Journalists with any sense of ethics are eager to repair the shattered image the media has created for itself. It’s time to turn back the hands of time and “re-instill” ethical principles into both our media system and our government. How could any proud American sit back and watch this country run itself into the ground?
