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“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” This is one of the most recognizable quotes in the history of Presidential speeches, and is the perfect way to summarize my reasons for pursuing a career in media. I have always believed that journalism is the symbolic fourth branch of the United States government, with the duty of informing the public as well as holding the people in government accountable for their actions, ultimately being the gatekeeper to information makes media one of the most significant jobs in the world. I have been attracted to the media because I want to help create a more informed populist, hold people in power accountable, and because media and writing is my passion.
“Cheney Says Iraqi Strike Is Justified,” this headline from the Washington Post during the lead up to the Iraq war is one of the reasons the Bush/Cheney administration was able to lead the American people into an unjust war. Leading up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the Bush administration was able to use the gatekeepers to put fear in the minds of Americans. A fear that was built on lies, lies that the Bush administration never had to account for. If the media was more skeptical of Cheney and his lies in 2002 and 2003, President Bush likely would not have the political capital to invade another country.
Coverage of the war in Iraq in contrast to the war in Vietnam was extremely different and is one the main reasons the Johnson administration did not have the public backing in the lead up to and during the war. The United States News headline in September 1963 read “The Strange War the U.S is Not Winning”, the article was written to inform the American people of not just what the President and his administration were reporting but includes actual facts from people on the ground as well as a contrarian perspective. This perspective was rarely given during the Iraq war, giving Bush the support he needed to invade. I want to be part of the media to fight against the propaganda put out by the mainstream media on behalf of the U.S government and their allies.
During his historic impeachment inquiry, President Richard Nixon saw his approval rating drop around 30 points, the same cannot be said about the current President, who is currently facing his own impeachment scandal. While Nixon saw a steady decline in approval after the announcement of his Impeachment, President Trump’s approval has stayed fairly consistent. I believe this is mostly driven by the media. Before the 24 hour news era, the media was a lot less partisan, holding both sides accountable. In 2020, President Trump has an entire news network in Fox News that is seemingly willing to back the President no matter what. While media in the past would have headlines such as “House accepts judiciary report on impeachment” only laying out the facts of the story, many outlets today run headlines meant to push a narrative such as “Trump impeachment trial is not about him. THIS is what Democrats want now.” With partisan journalism it is hard to hold politicians accountable because one tends to not scold the side they agree with. Holding elected officials accountable is something that I have strived to do, and being part of the media I believe is the best way to do so.
Writer Margaret Atwood stated “A word after a word after a word is power,” this statement expresses my love for writing. Since I was a child writing has always been my outlet to express myself, whether it was fiction, poetry or even school assignments writing has been my means of expression. I believe writing is one of the most powerful tools a person can have, the ability to craft language gives a writer the ability to affect a person’s state of mind for a moment of time or even a lifetime.After I am gone I want my writings to be a reflection of my values and the way I lived my life.
Media and writing to me is not just an interest but a passion, I have been a writer all of my life and a career in media would be the best place for me to use my passion. Being a gatekeeper to the masses is a responsibility that I would respect and appreciate. Having a career in media will give me the outlet to not only inform the public, but also do my role in holding the powerful to account. Being a member of the media will allow me to use my skills in the most productive way possible and is the reason I am pursuing a career in media.
Written by Jaylen Conwell. Edited by Kimberley Spinney.
Sources:
Gallup: Presidential Approval Ratings — Gallup Historical Statistics and Trends
GoodReads: Margaret Atwood GoodReads profile under Quotes
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons license