Editor loses faith

By Connor de Bruler
debrulerc@mytjnow.com

I do not feel an inextricable sense of loyalty toward that media that, perhaps, some journalists do. 

It should also be noted that I don’t consider myself a journalist on any level, though I still strictly adhere to the ethical tenants of journalism when writing anything of a non-fictional nature.  

I think the media is often more (if not just as) guilty as governmental bodies and the culture at large when it comes to perpetuating trends and beliefs that can be interpreted as degenerative or reprehensible. 

What I’m trying to say is that the media isn’t always informing us for the right reasons. In the end, there are too many things going on in the world that are overlapping and contradicting one another, forming the chaotic mix of perceptions we know as our reality. At some point, every journalist has to act as a gatekeeper and choose which story makes it to press or the ten minute slot on television. 

Don’t get me wrong. Our world and collective consciousness would be unbearably poorer if it weren’t for journalism and media at large. 

Many journalists are not so gifted in keeping their own personal thoughts out of the broadcasts. Many media organizations are controlled by money-grubbing sociopaths (Rupert Murdoch). 

These are the reasons we still need free press. 

But free press doesn’t completely fill the gap. Media in our modern world is greatly shaped by those consuming it, and the masses are becoming ever more journalistically, ethically and intellectually illiterate. Instead of forcing the masses to keep their participation and critical thinking skills to a certain level, journalism is folding to meet their expectations. 

We write shorter stories than ever before. We use simpler vocabulary. We use unbearably idiotic tactics such as titillation and misdirection to lure readers in. I’m not suggesting that every periodical become a long-winded scholarly journal. Short sentences are still very important and essential to the mastery of language manipulation. 

It is my personal belief, however, that everday journalism is being handed to those who do not fully understand its essential purpose, which is to alleviate ignorance. 

I see murders and bloody people screaming on TV. I see old white men in suits yelling at each other. I see the degeneration of the intelligence of my country and my species. 

The reason journalism has aimed to cater to people is simple: capitalism. We have to eat and make our money. 

I think it’s important we commence a revolution within the journalism community.

Obviously, that’s not going to happen. It’s not going to happen because I’m writing this in a college press that reaches few people, and I have no intention of publishing elsewhere. I have no intention of publishing elsewhere because I have no hope or will to save journalism. I have no hope because I have never had hope. I am not of the right mental state to lobby or overcome my own inertia. 

That is why journalism is doomed. It will always exist, but never for the correct reasons. 

Prove me wrong.