Article September 10, 2001 Issue

an editor's view

Writing fairly but fearlessly can change lives

By Clayton Jones

Here's a startling new reality for the 21st century: Anyone can be a journalist. It's never been easier to distribute facts and ideas far and wide. All the new and inexpensive technologies, such as the Web, computer publishing, and local community radio, provide almost anyone with a super-sized soapbox to express news and views, whether it's in the neighborhood, in Nigeria, or on the Net.

The question is, though, exactly what is news? And how should it be expressed?

Working journalists ask themselves those questions every day. The answers aren't always easy or always the same. Yet billions of people rely on journalists to provide them with "the news," which can then influence their jobs, their community and family, and their thinking.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
Change your perspective and the world's not so scary
September 10, 2001
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit