Week 10, to KM:

I really appreciated your honesty this week, admitting when the subject matter was uncomfortable for you or when you were ignorant of such situations.

I think the most valuable stuff for our wiki were the issues you raised about jounalism.

You made a good point directing our attentions to cases where journalists may create trouble for the sake of news by hovering around an area waiting for something to happen. I agree that the "journalistic machine" often just runs on its own, without concern for the world within which it is operating. The institutions of journalsim like to imagine themselves being free, objective and unbiased, but just like sub-atomic particles, people and communities are altered when they are observed. The "Free Press" are not free from affecting those they observe and report on. In hopes of getting the "scoop" on their competitors--getting the story first--they mob together, hovering around a person, place or situation, waiting and hoping something will happen. Just look at the circus surrounding the Michael Jackson trial last year!

Those systems and practices within the journalism industry are in serious need of redemption. And not from a much of loud-mouthed "Christians" who will boycott or protest. We need good, solid , Jesus-following journalists to live out alternative values and practices... not only as reporters, but as editors and publishers who can make the calls for reporters to follow this story or that, and can help curb exaggeration and stigmatization. Those strategically placed people will be able to write and publish stories that tell the truth, and stories that expose lies.