Here's looking at you!

      Last week we talked about the important role of journalism as a watchdog. Since hearing this term I have always thought that it just meant watching the government. However, it means more than just keeping an eye on government. It also means watching any large organization which could infringe on the rights and safety of U.S. Citizens. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchdog_journalism

      In journalism, I feel that the term watchdog is also synonymous with the term muckraking. Muckrakers keep watch over large organizations to ensure that they don't overstep themselves. http://www.enotes.com/history/q-and-a/what-muckraking-journalism-286227 An example of muckraking also playing a role as watchdog is the book The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. This book exposed the corruption of the American meatpacking industry during the early 1900's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jungle As a result of this exposure to the corruption in the meatpacking industry, the government created the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These organizations are a direct effect of good watchdog journalism because Upton Sinclair did what journalism was intended to do.

      Despite the important role of the press as a watchdog, its role as such has been weakened. This, I feel, is a great tragedy. Since the founding of the nation, journalism has played the important role of ensuring what the founders of the country called an informed citizenry. http://www.alternativeradio.org/products/mccr009 We must, therefore, ensure that we live and report by a personal code of conduct. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “we believe in being honest, true etc.” As we live by these standards as well as our own moral code we will ensure that journalism plays the role it was intended. We will strengthen journalism's role as a watchdog instead of adding to the current weakening that has take place.