Watchdog Journalism

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"Watchdog" journalism: associated with investigative journalism; to further democracy by holding people with power accountable for their actions and providing timely information for the public's use.

The presentation last Thursday was all about watchdog journalism and the power of the press. A video clip shown in class gave us a few pointers about fulfilling journalism's important role as the guardian of democracy: watch and listen to what's going on around you. If something doesn't add up, ask questions.

However, equally important in a journalist's job is to report truth and be fair- journalists must take responsibility for what they write- and stories on positive aspects of our leaders are as important as stories exposing corruption or mistakes.

As Murrey Marder, formerly of the Washington Post, said in Nieman Reports:

“[Watchdog journalism] is by no means just occasional selective, hard-hitting investigative reporting. It starts with a state of mind; accepting responsibility as a surrogate for the public. Asking penetrating questions at every level, from the town council, to the state house, to the White House, in corporate offices, in union halls, in professional offices, and all points in between.”

A story from the front page of today's New York Times provides an ideal example of watchdog journalism at work. In it, journalists Eric Schmitt and Helene Cooper report a leak of "classified military documents" from the last six years of war and how their disclosure is already spawning a heated debate over America's presence in Afghanistan. According to the documents, the war is going "even more poorly" than the Bush and now Obama administration have said. This new evidence gives rise to hard questions: can the war in Afghanistan still be won? Is the current policy governing the war working?

This is journalism: providing everyone with information necessary for us to make informed decisions when electing public officials and voting for different things. Presenting information for debate and empowering democracy.