Mid term

 

“Trying to determine what is going on in the world by reading newspaper is like trying to tell time by watching the second hand of a clock”  - Ben Hecht

 

                I agree and disagree with the quote above about journalism. I believe that this quote may be true in some sense because journalists do not always tell the truth when it comes to their stories. This may occur in what is known as yellow journalism which consists of screaming headlines, scams, frauds and more. Journalists may also adjust their stories with false information in order to make it seem more interesting to their peers and editor. They also may conjure up a completely made up story in order to get it published for their own benefit. In order to do this they must create fake quotes, contacts, and even might have to take it further and create their own fake website.

 This tactic was once used by a young journalist named Stephen Glass. Almost all of the stories the journalist wrote while working for the paper were fake. Though they were fake with the use of false evidence he was able to get his work printed with very few problems. Stephen Glass was eventually caught when he was asked by his editor to provide more in depth information such as meeting places and contacts. This journalists actions were so outrageous that the film “Shattered Glass” was made. Also, some journalist information will a lot of the time be biased which is not good when engaging an argument.

                This quote in some ways is also disagreeable. Some but not all journalist lie, they help keep the public informed on some things hidden in the shadows such as with the Watergate scandal. Investigative Journalism was used to bring out the political corruption that was happening in the white house and eventually led to the resigning of President Nixon.