We're journalists.
We know most of our readers, especially in the college reading demographic, do not always care as much about HOW we got our information so long as we're able to report all of it to you in terms you understand.
Proof lies in the midst of Tuesday's Sunshine Week panel, where moderator and Ball State University Professor Phil Bremen asked for a show of hands from those in attendance who weren't directly related to journalism.
Of the more than 100 people in attendance, barely a handful raised their hands.
That's a problem.
It goes to show that, on the whole, most Americans these days severely take for granted their right to know. It's a right, as Sunshine Week reminds us, that's protected by that infamous and often-referenced First Amendment.
We know -- "First Amendment" this and "First Amendment" that. Modern day media outlets cite the phrase more often than probably needed.
In fact, as time has passed, the media has taken less advantage of the amendment and done more griping about how we need to protect it. Certainly, though, journalists are not alone out in this tell-me-now world of ours.
"Information is the fuel that powers the democratic engine," Steve Bell, Ball State telecommunications professor, said at Tuesday's discussion. And, that being said, all citizens are a part of this democratic process.
Sure, as employees -- working media personnel -- we journalists owe it to our readers (and ourselves) to do everything in our power to keep the public informed. In these efforts, we are required and demanded to overturn every leaf, rock, stone and book in our sight. This, but only for the purpose of getting valuable information to the public in a timely manner.
Sunshine Week goes beyond the scope of the media's power to provide you, the general public, with informative reports, though. The week's true purpose sheds light on the fact that, journalist or not, every citizen is enabled the same power to research his own reports.
The information journalists seek out and cite is no different than that of what an every day citizen can request themselves. Our job, again, is to simplify it to what you need to know in terms that you can understand.
We don't do anything special, and it is a rarity that we have powers beyond ordinary citizens. In most cases, as far as the government is concerned, we're all the same. In the age of the Internet and with the advent of citizen-journalist blogging, it's a fact that has begun to haunt, taunt and whip into shape our profession all too well.
Today, as Sunshine Week hits its stride across the country, take a moment to reflect upon the powers we citizens have to seek out information on our own. Treasure this right and protect it as you would any other civil liberty. In these days of increasing regulations, it can just as easily be blocked or taken away.
The funny thing is, we shouldn't have to tell you that.
In theory, you could know it already.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
