My thoughts on journalism

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"Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed: everything else is public relations." - George Orwell

I saw this quote today on FaceBook and it got me thinking. I would have to respond: "not necessarily."

Webster defines journalism as:
1a : the collection and editing of news for presentation through the media b : the public press c : an academic study concerned with the collection and editing of news or the management of a news medium 2a : writing designed for publication in a newspaper or magazine b : writing characterized by a direct presentation of facts or description of events without an attempt at interpretation c : writing designed to appeal to current popular taste or public interest  Public relations, on the other hand, according to Webster is: "the business of inducing the public to have understanding for and goodwill toward a person, firm, or institution." Journalism - in my opinion - is the collection and reporting of news, features and sports. A journalist acts as the eyes and ears of the general public. Yes, sometimes the subject may be what someone (usually the governement) does not want the public to know, as Orwell implies. One incident comes to mind. In fall of 2007 I reported - as SolancoNews.com - on the sleeping guards at Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station nearby. In short, a whistleblower named Kerry Beal, who was also a security officer working for the Wackenhut Corporation, told his supervisor about the sleeping guards in February 2007. When nothing was done and he allegedly was told to be quiet about it, he then videotaped some of the guards sleeping at the power station. He sent the videotape to CBS. It was widely reported and the NRC - the Nuclear Regulatory Commission - then got involved.
The journalists researched the event, attended press conferences and interviewed vaious people involved and reported that information - that public safety information - back to the general public. In this case Orwell would be correct in his statement that "journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed." I am sure the NRC, Peach Bottom and Wakenhut Corporation would have preferred us all to just go away and let them resolve the situation internally. However, this was - from my viewpoint as SolancoNews.com - relevant news to the people of my coverage area. It concerned the safety of everyone as a whole and it concerned the livelihood of several.

There are also times when they media may be asked by government or police officials to report something in the hopes of obtaining a lead or providing security to the public.

Baby Allison is an example of the police wanting help from local journalists. On 31 December 2003 - New Year's Eve - an abandoned infant girl was found in Strasburg Township. The baby was found by Amish schoolchildren in a burn barrel at an Amish school. While the police have determined that this white child is not Amish, they still have little information. The baby's remains have long since been buried elsewhere and the child was called "Baby Allison", as every child deserves a name. Every December the State Police out of Lancaster would send a press release - or simply call - concerning the somber aniversary. The hope is that someday this child's parents will be found.

The point finally is that while Orwell may have been right sometimes, he is incorrect inclusively. Journalism is not just a regurgitation of information, nor is it trying to dig up dirt on persons and companies (at least it should not be). It - as a profession - is the reporting of factual information to many.