Beckham Lecture: What I learned.

When I was a Junior in high school and wrote my very first news story for English class, journalism seemed so simple. I learned to write about news in the most straightforward and simple way possible. I learned to get down the main facts first, and then add the rest throughout the story. There was no fluff, no need to debate on elaborate word choice, no need to build up the facts. Journalism seemed simple and straightforward, and this attracted me to the profession. 

While parts of what I understood back then may still be partially true, I am coming to learn that the practice of journalism is actually rather complex. Reporting the truth can be harder than one might  think, personal biases are often hard to ignore, and a journalist's duty for the public can easily be forgotten. 

Professor Campbell shed some more light on the complex practice of journalism for me this week by teaching his approach to creating a philosophical model for practicing journalism. This model included "6 Cs":  constitutional, constructive, community oriented, credible, courageous, and conscience. 

To become a successful and respected journalist, one would be wise to remember these "Cs". By understanding that the constitution was divinely inspired and that freedom of the press is the basis of our profession, we become successful journalists. By learning how to wisely educate the public, we become successful journalists. By respecting our public officials, we become successful journalists. By checking our facts and establishing a basis of credibility for ourselves, we become successful journalists. By giving a voice to the voiceless, we become successful journalists. By remembering our integrity in our writing, we become successful journalists. 

I think that it is important for journalists to establish a personal model for practicing their own journalism early in their career. By having a commitment to each of the areas discussed above, we can become successful and experience joy and reward in our careers. I look forward eagerly to my career as a journalist and I feel committed to remember these attributes as I embark on that journey.