We are Watchdogs

As journalists, our duty is to be a watchdog for the citizens. We are here to give the people the facts about what is going on in the world. We are the ones who monitor and really investigate what is going on with the government. There are many interpretations of what watchdog journalism is. The one I liked the most was found here. After researching this more and listening in class I have learned what it really means. To me it means means that watchdog journalism is basically taking information and giving it to the public. Just really watching out for the citizens.

Last week in class we discussed how the Constitution of the United States gives journalists, in the First Amendment, the freedom of the press. Therefore they can ultimately be the watchdog of the government and keep them in check by exposing what the government is doing. If journalists weren't here to make public things that go on inside the White House such as Watergate, these scandals would never get released to the public. It's possible that bad and sneaky activities would happen more often. In our book, The Elements of Journalism on page 143, Kovach and Rosenstiel stated that, "nearly nine out of ten journalists believe the press 'keeps political leaders from doing things they shouldn't do'." We, as journalists, are here to let the government know that we know what they are doing, and what we know, the public will know.

Journalists are here to investigate what goes on in the government and hold them accountable for their promises to the people. We are to watch what officials do so we can reveal lies, spin and point out bluntly when a promise is broken. We have the right to make sure everyone knows exactly what is going on.