It Comes Down to Integrity

Bailey Kormick
bk399015@ohio.edu

The Basics

As a worker, or even more generally as a person, the actions you do and the decisions you make are a reflection of yourself and what you represent. As journalist, at any stage in this world's history we have been presented with an audience. An audience whose eyes are always on us and whose ears are always listening. We have a voice that not all people have. Our voice is our gift, but it is earned and maintained with respect and integrity.

Photo provided by https://imgur.com/gallery/WkHHpZ1

Integrity is a value that can not be forgotten or disregarded. According to the organization Media Helping Media, "Without integrity your journalism is untrustworthy and suspect. Integrity gives a journalist the authority to investigate issues, shine a light in dark places and to dig where others don't.  It is essential for informing the public debate with trustworthy, rigorous journalism" (mediahelpingmedia.org).  This statement is the truth. Just like a journalist's voice, trust is also earned. However, trust can be so easily lost with the smallest evidence of negligence. The solution to maintaining and unwavering trust: integrity.

The Hard Truth 

For the last several years the public has been discussing the so-called death of journalism and print news. Those who are not well versed in the industry claim that imminent destruction is near for print publications. Due to the increase in technology and due to the continuously failing trust of media and news creators.

For the most part, the public is wrong. Print is not dying, print is innovating and growing. According the The Washington Post, "Newsgathering isn't dying; instead, it's becoming stratified, with real implications for our knowledge of the world" (washingtonpost.com). This perspective on journalism is also evident in the John Oliver video below.

However, the public is not entirely wrong with the decrease in media trust. It is true, the public is not as trustworthy of news publishers as they once were. As journalists, we can blame Donald Trump, the government, or anyone else that seems remotely blameworthy.



Provided by YouTube. Originally published by Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

The truth? Journalists are the ones to blame. We have lost site of who we are and what we stand for. We are a part of an industry that has to power to change and save the world. We challenge the public, we inform them, we motivate them. We are have the power to inspire and the power to tell the truth. We have forgotten what we stand for in these times of deceit and blame and brutal attacks.

The journalists of today's society are under a microscope as we always should be. It is our job to hold people accountable and it is the public's job to hold us accountable. We must take responsibly for our reporting. Mistakes will be made but it is how we correct those mistakes that matters.

Trust in the media can be regained. I believe it will be regained, as journalists put their integrity above all other values and push themselves to be truthful and honorable reporters.