Views on the Media

I never thought I'd have a real honest-to-goodness blog. The idea has always been attractive, but I guess I was always too distracted to sit down and click a mouse a few times to create one. I'm still a bit weary that possibly everyone in my Journalism 101 class could read this, and that this could be part of my future career. I don't think I've ever considered a blog being a credible reason to get a job, but after class today, it's apparent I haven't thought about a lot of things in the media world. 

I've decided this blog is going to touch on anything I can get my hands on, relating to journalism. I am going to specifically focus on people's views of the media, good or bad, and then try to look at it from both view points. I want to understand why some people hate mainstream media, and why some believe the nightly news is spun from lies. 

Today we discussed the changes occurring in our world of news, media, and journalism. It was our first class, but it felt like I'd been there before. I felt like I belonged, which is more than I can say about any classes I took in high school. Journalism is somewhat of a hit/miss major. I believe you really have to love it. You have to look at it as an art form...that you are writing, reporting, discovering news that will make a difference in the world...or at least in someone's life. 

While discussing the fear of journalism being a dying art, I wasn't scared. I wasn't nervous that I was going into a career field that some consider to be a dumb choice. I don't care that I'm going into a career field that has the potential to be highly controversial. I don't care if people think I'm stupid for majoring in journalism. I care that I'm going to be happy. I care that I am going into a career field that I know I can succeed in, and that I can do big things in.

Sure, call me overly optimistic. 

But I have yet to witness a pessimist get anywhere near to their dreams. And I've already begun to achieve mine. Attending Ohio University was the biggest decision I have made in my life.

And so far, it's the best.