We all have the power to make a journalistic change by actively using our freedom of speech and press. Our opinion my be biased and lacking factual content, but we are still able to voice our opinions our writing and vocalization. Though this freedom is a gift, it is our journalistic responsibility as creatures with such grand intellectual ability to use that gift as it was meant to be used, ethically.
In today’s society, morning papers are becoming far and few while social media takes over. Anyone who has updated a Facebook status, Tweeted or blogged is an author of their own piece whether they realize it or not. We are constantly making a change and altering the perspective of others using the technology of today. The Internet has become our world’s hub. A convergence of opinion and factually based power into one valued source. We the people have successfully achieved the power of change.
Though power is what many find on their journalistic journey, responsibility grasps it had in hand. With sites many sites, such as the popular Wikipedia, allow the readers to take the role as author and edit posts. Wikipedia, though frowned upon by educators, is a resource that many people turn to for seemingly factual information. A trend of altering or creating post to make them comically inaccurate is quite popular. Many times the first result on a Google search, Wikipedia has become a popular “go to” online source. But with the power of change on hand, where do we draw the line between reading factual information vs bias? Is it fair that the two have become so close they are hardly distinguishable?
With growing technological advancements, search engines now hold the key to our search for knowledge. Though it is always good to check multiple sources, a quick answer on Wikipedia always seems to be just a click away. Little do many realize, this puts our trust in each other. Online posts in general are taken very seriously when presented in the proper manner on sites with high volumes of traffic. The truth behind this presentable material becomes secondary when shielded behind a familiar or well known web site name. Given that we are able to choose what we submit to this base of knowledge, the least we can do is have the journalistic decency to present the world with accuracy to the best of our ability. With concepts so seemingly accurate, it is amazing that we have the power to change or makeup history.