Journalists create an interesting mix. If pouring a whole bag of http://skittles.com/ into your mouth tastes like a rainbow, walking into a newsroom should tie-dye http://www.tiedyequeen.com/ your shirt. Every journalist is a little different and stands next to a journalist a little different than him. It takes a certain type of person to be passionate about journalism, and maybe that is what unites journalists.
Journalists come together to form a bond with big responsibilities. What is referred to as the Priesthood of Journalism protects the professionalism of journalists. Four basic principles make up the Priesthood of Journalism:
1. Journalism is the Fourth Estate: The fourth estate gives journalists the responsibility of being the fourth check of the government. Keeping the government honest is essential to a democracy, and journalists take this responsibility seriously. If it were not for journalism we would not be able to make informed decisions about the leaders who govern our country. The people would have no power in a democracy if it were not for the fourth estate.
2. Journalistic Inbreeding: Just as a child will mimic his father, young journalists mimic experienced journalists. Great journalism will breed great journalism. In order for journalists to have success that lasts longer than one generation they must teach the younger generation how to report. My Fiancee is an aspiring journalist and is a great example of journalistic inbreeding as she mimics the greatest sports reporter of our generation. http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7624365/tiger-putting-woes
3. Separation: Separation between a journalist and his story is key to the integrity journalism. As https://twitter.com/#!/cressman said, "When a reporter becomes involved they stop reporting the story and become part of the story." It is nearly impossible to report a story you were involved in objectively.
4. Confidentiality: Anonymity is a right to anyone who requests it, and as reporters we must always honor that request. People may have many reasons to remain anonymous and we should grant their wish.
For future journalists to succeed the principles of the Priesthood of Journalism must be honored and kept.
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