Just when you thought all is lost for Television Broadcast Journalism there exists a ray of hope found in the reporting of NBC’s senior managing editor and nightly news anchor Brian Williams. Williams is a thoughtful and thorough journalist who gallantly weighs the many sides of a story and an issue. Does he get it right each time, no... yet, the effort to do so is clearly there. The good journalist asks the good questions to get the good information. This is the primary responsibility of journalism; imparting useful, reliable and relevant news.
Brian Williams stands out in this season of conflict as the Press goes about pointing its finger at congress for abandoning its oversight role leading up to arguably a winless war.
I am reminded of the admonishment concerning blame, "When you point a finger, there are at least three fingers pointed right back at you." The Fourth Estate was woefully absent at the lead-up to the war in Iraq. There were few pointed or poignant questions raised.
The good news is that Williams has wisely set his sights high in asking the kinds of questions that give us a perspective into the nature of those who will lead us next. The questions Williams posed during the democratic presidential debate, held in South Carolina, demonstrate the seriousness of the profession and its mission:
Good Journalism can lead to accountable government;
Journalism can be a marker as a source of equitable societal knowledge;
Journalism can help to explain relationships of citizens to purpose and process, policy and practice, principles and ethics in business and in government.
This is necessary for the public welfare. The practice of true journalism has nothing to do with ratings, but when the principles of journalism are practiced there is quality and quantifiable results that reflect our decision making as consumers/citizens and ultimately portray who we are as a nation.
Brian Williams skillfully guided the discourse between Democratic Presidential hopefuls in the first scheduled debate held April 26, 2007. There are many more debates to come, as part of the democratic process in choosing the next leader of the “free world.” Mr. Williams and his team are to be commended for resurrecting the standard in this vital form of dialogue.
On the other hand queries that ponder "Who it would be more fun to have a beer with" are entertaining, but they distract. Politics may be an insider's sport for some and questions like these do not help a nation that is in dire need of relevant information in critcal times. This is journalism's responsibility.
NewsJReview
