Long story short, I don’t have a college degree. However, for the past ten years, I’ve been working towards my bachelor’s degree online through the University of Maryland. Recently, I took a JOUR 201 class with an incredible professor who values the power of critical thinking. If you've been considering continuing your education, I'm a big fan of MasterClass and the University of Maryland.
Below is one of my final discussion posts, written from the perspective of an advocate for children, concerned mother, and American patriot. Nothing more. May God bless America and the children who are still waiting to be seen and heard.
UMGCJOURN 201
Discussion 7 Are the news media doing the job that the U.S. needs to support its democratic form of governance? How do you see the field of U.S. journalism evolving to meet these needs?
In short, I believe the United States news media strives to support the great American experiment, but I also see journalism in our country needing to evolve with greater courage to inform the public about uncomfortable truths. Over the past two decades, I've watched the media closely, and while there have been strides forward, I believe a deeper, more honest commitment to addressing complex societal issues is needed. Urgently. Journalism must reflect the reality of our nation, and only the truth will allow us to progress as a democracy. And the truth is... our situation is less than ideal.
The role of journalists has always been challenging to balance the need for truth with the weight of social responsibility, especially in an era where perception is everything. How a person is raised, whether in middle class or poverty, often colors their perception of institutions, and journalists must ethically navigate these differing perspectives to report truthfully and accurately. But the question remains—how do journalists, especially in mainstream outlets, confront uncomfortable truths, such as government failures, social inequality, and systemic issues?
Professor Atwood, you don’t ask easy questions, and I truly appreciate that. I’ve gained more knowledge in this class than I have in a long time, and I’m really grateful for it. Please bear with me, as I’ve had quite a bit of time to reflect on this matter—perhaps too much time.
Historically, journalism in the U.S. has played a foundational role in supporting democratic principles, from the early days of Benjamin Franklin’s Pennsylvania Gazette to the Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton. These early forms of media helped shape public opinion and supported the country’s fight for independence. Yet, throughout history, the media has also been manipulated for personal or political gain. Figures like William Randolph Hearst used sensationalist tactics to push political agendas, and the media’s involvement in the Spanish- American War is a prime example. Similarly, the Watergate scandal and the Pentagon Papers demonstrated journalism’s capacity to hold power accountable—yet these instances are rare.As media has evolved, the types of journalism and how news is disseminated have changed significantly. Traditional forms like newspapers and radio gave way to television, and now, platforms like cable news, podcasts, YouTube channels, and social media (OMG, how much more can we take?) allow anyone with an internet connection to engage in the dissemination of news. However, the explosion of digital media has also blurred the lines between fact and opinion, leading to fragmentation, misinformation, and the spread of politically motivated content. (Attention friends, this is not a drill. China and Russia are influencing you every time to hop on social media. Engage with caution.)
Today, the media landscape is increasingly shaped by the rise of 24-hour news cycles and opinion-driven programming, such as talk shows that present views as fact, confusing many viewers and undermining their ability to distinguish between news and personal rhetoric (follow the money). This shift is financially lucrative for the media industry (keep following the money), but it has severe consequences for public trust and mental well-being. It also presents challenges to democracy, as voters are fed selective truths and emotional manipulation rather than the facts needed to make informed decisions. (Follow the money. Here’s looking at Iran, Russia and China.)
In my experience, the media’s failure to cover critically connected issues such as foster care, homelessness, human trafficking, and systemic poverty leaves large segments of the population underrepresented and unheard. This fosters serious mistrust. Millions (children and their families) trapped in the foster care system are impacted every year, yet this issue remains largely invisible in mainstream news. When the media neglects to cover stories that affect vulnerable populations, it perpetuates a cycle of neglect, deepening the public’s disconnection from the realities faced by the marginalized.
The lack of coverage on crucial issues perpetuates misunderstanding and division. As corporate interests (there it is again) continue to shape the direction of media coverage, it is vital to ask: Why are certain issues ignored? The answer is? Journalists must have the courage to follow the money—whether it's related to the foster care system, human trafficking, the border, or government programs that perpetuate poverty. By tackling these uncomfortable truths, journalists have the power to reveal systemic injustices that affect all of us. For instance, children in foster care experience PTSD at two times the rate as returning war veterans (Read that again.), and they often end up in prisons, homeless shelters, or trafficked. These are not “soft” issues—they are fundamental to the health of our democracy. By neglecting to report on these stories, the media creates a divide that allows for political figures (A-HEM) to exploit the gaps in coverage.
To rebuild trust in both the media and government, the U.S. media must be willing to confront uncomfortable truths. Politicians (A-HEM) and media figures (A-HEM) who capitalize on the lack of coverage of social issues contribute to the degradation of democracy, using misinformation and political theater to manipulate public opinion. The evolution of U.S. journalism should focus on the issues that affect every citizen, regardless of social class. The media must stop simply reporting what’s easy and begin addressing the uncomfortable truths that shape our society.
In my humble opinion, only through courageous journalism can we hope to rebuild trust and foster a healthy democracy. It’s truly something I hope and pray for every single day. It is not enough to cover political news and superficial headlines; the media must engage with the deeply entrenched issues that affect marginalized communities and those in powerful positions who profit from them. As the media landscape continues to evolve, the U.S. needs journalists who are willing to hold the powerful accountable, even when doing so is difficult or unpopular.
And finally, the media has made strides in some areas (and I’m here for it), yet much more work needs to be done and the sooner, the better. Journalism must evolve to cover the complex issues affecting all Americans, including those left out of the conversation. Only by facing the uncomfortable truths and ensuring a more equitable distribution of media coverage can we hope to maintain a truly democratic society. The media has a responsibility to inform and empower the public with the full picture of our nation—its flaws, its injustices, and its potential for change.
If you've made it this far, friends, thank you for reading. As the world bids farewell to the incomparable Lester Holt this week—who I've heard will be highlighting a foster care nonprofit this Thursday—I hope his successor, along with others in the media, will rise to the challenge of supporting democracy and helping our nation reconnect with its soul. While it may not always seem like it, I genuinely strive to be a hopeful advocate and a proud American patriot. #SaveTheChildren
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