A Complex and Binding Profession

In The Mind of A Journalist journalism is compared to a priesthood. When one gives it thought, it is easy to see why journalists would be compared to one who is authorized to perform sacred acts. Journalists are bound by tight covenants. With the reader, the journalist promises accuracy and the truth in return for a reading. With a source, the journalist at times promises confidentiality in return for powerful information. This passing of information could put a source on "the chopping block" if the journalist were to reveal that he or she is the source. A most notable example of a journalist diligently adhering to such a covenant is Judith Miller, who went to prison for eighty-five days to protect her source, Scooter Libby.



Judith Miller upon being released from prison. Miller is currently advocating a federal shield law that would protect journalists from having to reveal sources. Read her article, In Prison Without A Shield.

I agree with the idea that the profession of journalism is like the fourth branch of government. Journalists keep those in power in check, through the information they provide citizens. It is very much a public service.

Parisa Khosravi, a CNN senior vice president is a very recent example of how "sacred" the calling of a journalist is. After tweeting that she respected Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, CNN gave her the axe. This extremely contemporary example shows how seriously news organizations take the profession of a journalist. And how it can only take 140 characters to send a journalist packing.

While I don't hold the calling of a journalist anywhere near the calling of a priesthood holder called of God, I do sincerely respect the role that journalists play in society and the service they give.