Traditional Journalism Is Dead

In 2001, I began my career as a journalist at a small newspaper in Beaufort, S.C. During my three years there, praise was rare, but criticism happened as often as the sun came up.

I was often called out for only covering African American stories. I remember the time I was the subject of a Community Radio Show, for a controversial story I did about one of the high schools. I wanted to defend myself, to go on that radio show and set the record straight. But I was a journalist, and that meant being objective and open to critics. My job was to report the news and not be a part of it.

Fast forward to today. Fox News' Bill O'Reilly and CNN's Don Lemon were sparring via social media over a story about national security adviser Susan Rice.  O'Reilly claimed that Lemon declined to cover the story - which brought this Twitter response from the CNN newsman.

False. I did not refuse to cover the story. But I did cover your sexual harassment allegations. Did you? https://t.co/sJ5mQQgx2E

— Don Lemon (@donlemon) April 4, 2017

For those who are not in the know, Mr. O'Reilly and Fox  paid $13 million to settle sexual harassment lawsuits brought forth by several women. Now - before we go too far into the weeds, let me say this.

The fiery social media exchange between the two is uncalled for and is in effect everything that is wrong in journalism today. O'Reilly is not in a position to be critical of anyone because his objectivity has been compromised due to the lawsuit settlements. How could he ever cover a sexual harassment suit, again?

Lemon isn’t exempt. The CNN newsman’s response through social media, while praised by many, taints his objectivity. When you are a journalist - not an entertainer- but a journalist, you have to take your bumps and criticisms. You don't try and give back as good as you get. When that happens you often end up on the other side of the camera. You have to be impartial at all times, so that your integrity and objectivity can never be questioned.

Otherwise, people won't believe you and claim you're pushing fake news.

These two aren't the only ones who are guilty of this. Journalists have now become celebrities and celebrities are masking around as journalists. News reporters are unfortunately becoming the stars of their own stories - sometimes through no fault of their own.

In this day and age, journalism needs to get back to the basics.  This exchange between Fox News host Sean Hannity and veteran journalist Ted Koppel illustrates the argument best. R.I.P. journalism.