Shining a light through confusion and ambiguity

by

Karyn Lacey

Imagine this: A journalist and a citizen are waiting for the evening bus. They are sitting next to each other, on the bench, when the journalist decides to spark a conversation about today’s news.

The journalist turns slightly to the citizen and says, “Hi, excuse me. Did you catch the news today? I was just wondering what were your thoughts on…”

He is abruptly interrupted by the citizen. The woman asserts, “NO, NO, NO…I don’t watch the news.”

The journalist is puzzled…very puzzled. On the inside, he is screaming. He can’t believe or even fathom that she chooses not to watch the news.  So, he thinks to himself, ‘How do you not watch the news? The journalist calmly asks, “What do you mean you don’t watch the news?”               “I just don’t. It’s too sad. It’s always something about murder or negative stuff that makes me sad. Or everything is about Donald Trump. So, I just don’t watch it,” said the woman.

The irritated journalist says, “I’m sorry, but that’s a cop out. News is essential to our everyday life. And you know another thing…” He decides not to indulge in a journalistic rant, thus he says “Never mind. Have a good night ma’am.”

The journalist decides to walk home instead of taking the bus. As he walks, he ponders the baffling conversation he just had with the woman. You see, the journalist doesn’t understand how complacent and accepting she is about not watching the news, as if he asked her about the latest reality television show that burns your brain cells. He doesn’t understand why she was “OK” with that.

 

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This is a conversation some journalists have encountered and observed many times throughout their journalism career. Whether it’s with a group of friends on a Friday night or at the dinner table with family members on Thanksgiving, there is always someone who expresses their disdain for the news.

Surely, there is plenty of bad news to go around: the dramatics of the 2016 presidential election, Russia, North Korea, gun violence, immigration, local township scandals, the Flint water crisis, corrupt politicians. However, the job of journalists is not about delivering “bad news.” The true purpose is to make individuals within communities, nations and the world aware and knowledgeable of the things around them.

Because of the climate of journalism, the comments of President Donald Trump and his supporters, citizens are leery of believing news outlets nowadays. Understandably, not knowing what to believe is troubling. Still, journalists aren’t here to tell people what to believe. Only the public can decide what to presume as the truth. Journalists are merely here to gather and deliver the facts.

Just as citizens would check the weather channel or weather app to find out if they can wear shorts and flip-flops or a winter coat, check the news. Watch the local newscast to find out what the local school board is up to, if there are robberies being reported in the neighborhood, or who is running to be the next elected official.

With that said, should the journalist having the conversation with the woman just walk away or try to be her news savior and bring her to the journalism altar? Should the journalist debate their point about why it’s important to watch the news?  Or simply let them continue to go about their lives unaware of the world? I mean, the public is who journalists serve, right?

Yes, they are serving those individuals who are avid readers and watchers of the news. But what about the people who are disengaged intentionally? Today, the news is easy to obtain because it’s everywhere. Therefore, it is no excuse to deliberately be unaware of the world.

All in all, no, journalists should not be “OK” with individuals not watching, reading, or even caring about what’s in the news. Surely, it is frustrating to hear people say they don’t read or watch the news. Nevertheless, a journalist’s job is make the public aware about what’s occurring in their backyards. If someone is unaware of what’s going on in their neighborhood, then it is the journalists job to enlighten them. They are the shining light through confusion and ambiguity.

Therefore, journalists must persist in the good fight until their last sleepless night. Because news is a necessity, not an option.