Who Let the Dogs Out?

Its a scary thing when you all you hear in the news is how the news is going down.  Not a very good sign.  And when such a factor like Watchdog Journalism begins to slip, you know it's trouble from there. Throughout the history of journalism, many reporters have taken the role of "protector" to it's citizens, a very admirable and well appreciated job.  But when people like Victor Neufeld say things like,  “Our obligation is not to deliver the news. Our obligation is to do good programming,” you begin to wonder where the future really is taking us.  

I believe that the "watchdog" role of journalism is one of it's most redeeming qualities.  Take examples like Watergate, 60 Minutes, and reporters such as Nelly Blye and Upton Sinclair.  They all had one goal in mind: protect the people and reveal the true information.  

In the digital age, yes- information is widely avaialable to every type of person, unlike 50 years ago, and some may say the need for this "watchdog" role is lessened.  But I believe it is the exact opposite.  With so many people capable of posting whatever they want online for everyone to see, with no kind of fact checking or screening, the need for these "watchdogs" is at an all time high.  (Click here for a great relating article.) Already websites have stepped into that role (such as Medill Watchdog) but there is a need for many more. 

It was just yesterday that me and my friends heard a rumor from the recent election we wanted to fact check. We turned to the internet, and though we found countless number of acrticles in support of it, it wasn't on our preferred "trusttworthy" newsource, so it automatically lost credibility.  It's these kind of establishments that will keep the integrity of the industry, and without them, I'm afraid of what that future may become.