The Power of a Journalist

Journalists have played essential roles in documenting history. Throughout the Civil Rights efforts, journalists were there, writing and recording what was taking place. At the time, they did not know that someday it would be shameful history. They did not know what the importance of them doing their jobs would have someday.

The journalists who covered the movement saw something that struck them as important. Newsworthy. )Were they ever right). I have learned this semester that a journalist's loyalty is to the citizens and their obligation is to the truth. (Taken from Elements on Journalism).Journalists of this day did just that. They brought the raw reality of the struggles of African American people into the homes and hands of thousands of white Americans, leaving them no choice but to really see the issue.

Eyes on the Prize, also taught me something else about journalism. . . a journalist should never take the power they have for granted, and it never should be taken lightly. Someday, every African American who walked to make a stand, who was sprayed with fire hoses to back down and arrested for doing what was needed to have what was right, will be gone. What will be left is the journalist's work to tell their stories, to tell the history.