Every four years, when the presidential election rolls around, politics is a hot topic in
conversation. And so is criticism of journalists.

Journalists are in the media due to the nature of their work, but it doesn’t mean this fact
should be used to insult or attack. While I understand some of the criticisms, I want to
highlight a few key points that are overlooked too often.

People are under the false impression that every journalist or “the media,” as they are
dubbed, is biased in their reporting. Every journalist, including those working in
local television and print newsrooms across the country, is left-leaning on the political
spectrum and incorporates liberal ideas in their reporting. This is simply not true.

For example, the late and great Barbara Walters is often criticized as a liberal journalist.
But how could one make this assumption, having never had an interaction with her?

Walters left a lasting mark on television newsrooms across the country and shaped the
industry for the better. TV news was once a male-dominated industry – especially in
1964 – when Walters got her first job as the first female co-anchor of “The Today Show.”

Walters changed the image and public perception surrounding the faces of a newscast.
Walters became – and remains – a role model for young women who have dreams of
working in TV news. Walters is notorious for her blunt and hard-hitting questions – an
authentic interview style that is unmatched. These accomplishments are anything but
trivial and should not be forgotten.

This widely held belief that every journalist is biased has led to distrust in local
newsrooms and print newspapers across the country. People are less inclined to watch a
local newscast or read an article published by a local paper.

We, as news consumers, only get a small glimpse into the role of a journalist by watching
a news package in the local broadcast or reading an article for a print publication. In other words, there are a lot of things that journalists do behind the scenes in preparation for their stories.

Journalists initiate communications for interviews, conduct interviews, craft questions,
gather footage, as well as identify quotes or soundbites they want to use in their stories.

General assignment reporters are under rigid, same-day deadlines. And they cannot
include everything in their report due to time limitations. So, they have to condense
information and decide what to include and omit, which is not easy. And I believe this is
something that contributes to the assumption that journalists are “one-sided.” But the
reality is that reporters are up against time.

Investigative journalists encounter the same challenges as well. Although they have more time to look into issues – often years or months – they are sifting through a lot more information, so the decision about what to include or omit becomes more difficult.

The bottom line is that all journalists make a difference. They give people the chance to
share their stories and ensure the public has a voice. Journalists help people, and their
stories can uplift communities and spark positive change.