I am finding more and more people tell me there is no future for journalism. My philosophy is that although newspapers may be on the downfall, the need for good, news reporting journalists, isn't. As I continue my journey of learning all there is about journalism and technology, I will post here.

1.19.2010

Surgeon or Journalist?

This article describes what some think to be one of the many dilemmas of journalism ethics. Dr. Sanjay Gupta is a neurosurgeon who has been reporting on the medical catastrophe in Haiti while helping patients. The author of the article, Steve Pendlebury, questions whether or not there is a line between covering a story and participating in it.
Who would tell a better story, a journalist who knows little about medical issues, or a reporter who first handedly understands exactly what the medical disaster is in Haiti right now? Sometimes getting the right quote, or capturing the perfect shot is not the most important thing. Right now, journalists have a life changing opportunity to get the most out of covering the disaster in Haiti. Putting down the notepad for a few minutes to help dig in the ruins for missing people, or in this case, pick up a scalpel to save a life is more important than getting a good story.

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