MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- When I sit down at my workspace every morning, typically my first instinct is to check the headlines on several major news Web sites. As a journalist, it is my duty to stay up-to-date in current events and contemporary issues.
Much of the news is shifted in one direction or another, depending on which news organization one chooses to follow. Editorializing is harder to get away with in print, but is a lot easier and effective on camera.
When I watch television at home, the news is often presented in a more editorialized fashion.
An anchor usually debates a particular topic with several subject-matter experts who have a particular opinion on the issue. During regular news casts, anchors occasionally smirk or read the news with a condescending tone. Ultimately, these gestures frequently appear to reveal the network’s opinion of the topics discussed.
Several days ago, I was cleaning my house while an anchor on television reported on Senator Barack Obama’s trip to the Middle East and Europe. The anchor sneered as he questioned the Senator’s trip. A clip of Sen. McCain showing the Republican candidate’s rebuttal followed the anchor’s rant. McCain’s point was fair coverage of the issue in debate, but the anchor’s commentary and demeanor seemed to take a stance on the subject instead of remaining neutral in the matter.
At first glance, I thought I was watching a satirical segment from The Daily Show.
The media constantly slanders both presidential candidates.
Voters who collect information on the presidential candidates by means of competing news organizations aren’t always entirely informed.
As a combat correspondent for the Iwakuni Approach, it is my job to tell the Marine Corps story.
Thus, I publish stories about the many heroes serving in Iraq (editorializing), and I publish stories about Marines who at times discredit the Corps.
Generally, it is our job to report the hard news and let the people decide. Unfortunately, various members of the media often report what sells and subsequently sell ideas simultaneously.
Many great journalists represent these particular news organizations and perform a superb service for the American public. I have served with several great civilian journalists eager to report unbiased dispatch from Iraq. I have also met several journalists in the field who refused to cover good news coming from Al Anbar. Military journalists are obligated to cover the Long War without editorializing. When we arrest insurgents, we write a story about it. When we lose a comrade in combat, we write a story about it.
With the Long War and the presidential race taking place, it’s important for Americans to be very careful where they gather information. Americans need to experiment with various news sources. A great place to find out solid information about the presidential candidates is to logon to official campaign Web sites and compare the presidential hopefuls. Take the media’s challenges into consideration, but be hesitant to believe everything streaming from a single source.
Furthermore, give the military journalists a chance and visit your respective service’s official Web site for the latest news.