Citizen Responsibility

Last week we had a shortened class with Sister Walton about What Citizens Should Expect From the Press.

We outlined Six things in the Citizens' Bill of Journalism Rights
1. Truthfulness:
"The process of verification-how news people made their decisions and why-should be transparent in the work so we can judge the value and fairness of the information for ourselves."
2. Proof that the journalists' first loyalty is to citizens:
"This means stories should answer our needs as citizens, not just the interests of insiders, or the political or economic system." This principle also requires transparency from the news organization.
3. That journalists maintain independence from those they cover:
"While journalists need not be neutral, we should expect they will not have divided loyalties. If journalists get too close to those they cover it only makes it more difficult for them to understand or convey all sides. Secretly counseling or writing speeches for sources is an example." This also includes being objective and considering all sides.
4. That journalists will monitor power and give voice to the voiceless:
"The press should use its watchdog power to uncover things that are important and new and that change community thinking. The news media should not squander this constitutional freedom on sideshow or pseudo scandals that research shows may build an audience."
5. A forum for public criticism and problem solving:
"News providers should offer several channels for public interaction--be it letters, e-mail, phone contacts, or public forums--including mechanisms for readers and viewers to make story suggestions or raise criticisms." A broad range of views should be represented, not just the extremist views.
6. News that is proportional and relevant:
"Journalists should use their special access to put the material they gather in a context that will engage our attention and also allow us to see trends and events in proportion to their true significance in our lives." Journalists should also be cautious of giving the right amount time and importance to stories; major news stories should be treated as such and not made light of, and smaller stories should not be expanded to give undue weight to their contents.

In class, Sister Walton divided us up and assigned us one of these six principles to discuss.
Our team was given the Right and Responsibility of Loyalty to Citizens. It means to us that our job is to serve the public by providing the public with the information they need and deserve. And that this priority should be above all others. We need to show the audience that we care about them. We need to understand the gap, and we need to listen to our public.

"Citizens have an obligation to approach the news with an open mind and not just a desire that the news reinforce existing opinion, but be willing to accept new facts and examine new points of view. Citizens should help journalists if they can, so that important news can see the light of day. Citizens have a responsibility to show up at the public forum and be active.


The marketplace fails if we as citizens are passive, willing to put up with a diminishing product. News should not only engage us but also challenge us and make us think"
-Sense and Goodness