Using Freedom of Press in a A Free Country

It's a free country.

I'm sure you've heard that before, and it's true. This is a free country.

For Journalists living in a democracy, our roles are of importance. We are keepers of the freedom. We use our speech to get the truth out there. The government can't get away with scandals and corruption, if we choose to use our gift correctly.

We may not stick to the role. But we should, and life would be better.

Up Against Hollywood.

Bright colors! Loud music! Intense effects! Well-known actors! Exploding things! Gorgeous people unlike regular human beings! AND EVERYTHING ENDS SO GREAT. WAHHHHHOOOOOOOOOO!!

Yeah, it's no wonder people don't care much about the news these days.

The news is somewhat dull. Boring even. And a bit like real life.

The news isn't filled with the sensationalism of Hollywood. People are homely. They don't all get to live happily and perfectly. The news is more real, yet it doesn't always feel real. 

I guess that's the challenge that faces news people in the world right now. How can you stand up against make-believe? How can reality possibly be as cool? 

News isn't created to entertain. It's created to tell, to inform, to give freedom. But people want things to be entertaining. They like a good story.

How do we deal with this as journalists? Do we write stories about Justin Bieber's GF and their dates last night so we can grab people's attentions?

No. No. No. No. No. NO.

Please don't. 

This is what I think journalists should do: BE PASSIONATE. 

Care about what you are writing, and it'll hit home. I personally believe that it's okay to be witty or funny. That's reality. Reality isn't boring! Sound like a normal human being instead of a robot. Some journalists do that, and people will listen. 

You'd Think Being a Mormon would Conflict with Being A Journalist...Or Not.

The expectations of journalists have been fairly enduring throughout the years. Journalists are meant to be fair, straightforward, and skeptical. They look at things from an angle of facts--not allegorical truths  or whatever else is not provable (at least according to The Elements of Journalism, that is ).

The expectations of Mormons have also been enduring throughout the years. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are meant to be fair, straightforward(yes),....and faithful. They are meant to look at things from an angle of hope--a belief in things not seen but real(by gospel definition). 

So, is it possible to be skeptical and have faith? Can someone be a journalist and a Baptist, Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, Jew....? Will that person be able to refrain from having the window panes of their writing fogged by their own conceptions if they believe in their heart that something is true?

Yes actually. 

As discussed in class, faith is NOT blind. I know a plethora of educated people that have faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. They know the history of Mormons. They have a testimony. Likewise, many people who have great careers and immense amounts of education...also believe in whatever religion that they happen to believe in.

IF ANYTHING.....

Religion only helps you to be a better journalist. Because believing in the concepts of religion--love, God, the worth of a soul--only makes you want serve your fellow men with stronger desire .

And serving  your fellow men is ultimately the goal of a journalist. 

Doctor Who is Awesomeness.

I like Doctor Who. Anyone that knows me well is aware of that extreme tidbit related to my life. 

I have a pet fish named Rory and a build-a-bear that looks like a tragically failed version of the Doctor. Also, I've put my young brother in the less than good predicament of enjoying a show a bit too old for his age group.

But the truth is....Doctor Who is awesomeness. 

There are many reasons for this awesomeness recipe.

1) Sky's the limit. Really though, no other show on the planet has the freedom to go about willy-nilly creating episodes related to any genre. Do you want monsters? Okay, done.  Do you want ancient history? You got it. How bout pirates? Yep. Spaceships? Always. Werewolves? Check. Witchcraft? U-huh. Vincent Van Gogh? President Nixon? Complicated plots? Love? Marriage? How bout all of the above? Doctor Who is an infinite playground of possibilities. And I'm not kidding.

2) Doctor Who is cool. Or at least he thinks he is. Which makes his witty humor all the more desirable and funny. He makes smart comments that are mildly amusing. And he makes silly comments that are mildly witty. He knows that bow ties are cool. And fedoras. And other accessories. Plus, he likes fish fingers and custard. Which is entertaining and cool enough for me.

3) Rory. I think that one word is enough to describe the awesomeness that is the British broadcasting TV  show. Rory knows what's up and such. He saves the day. And waits 1,000 years. And loves Amy. And he's a great character. And actor. And my fish is named after him.

Well, there are a plethora of reasons to enjoy Doctor Who, but  basically Doctor Who is awesomeness.
.