by Kh

Created on: April 19, 2008

Media writers play a vital role in informing the public of what they need to know. It is their job to decide what people should know, or what it is "newsworthy." Once they have decided what the public should know, they must research, analyze, and present information in a clear and concise manner. They should not dilute the facts or sugarcoat their words to appear more sensitive. One of the primary goals of writing is to inform, and hopefully to encourage future inquiry.

Writing is not like television, where the audience is expected to sit still, and absorb all information without protest. Writers do not have the visual medium, instant feedback, and up-to-the-minute updates that television has. The writer has to keep the reader involved, interested, and informed using language instead of flashy images and gory scenes. Words are the most powerful tool a writer has; they can transform the most mundane experience into a complete nirvana.

As powerful as the written word is, the writer is nothing without his/her audience. Media writers should be honest and straightforward, but also take into consideration who their messages will reach. They have to make a name for themselves and stand out in the crowd, but still keep their reliability in the eyes of their audience.

A writer always needs to appeal to the masses, while keeping his or her own style. Even though a writer may need to conform to their audience, the writer is always in control. The writer investigates, contacts the appropriate people, and pieces together information to form the whole story. The writer shows the public what is going on around them, saving them the brunt work. It is the media writer who has the arduous task of constantly working on deadlines and maintaining accuracy.

Writers do not have a set guide of ethics; each writer has his/her own limitations. Some writers will lie, cheat, and steal to get the big scoop or the next big idea. Just like with any profession, media writers can be honest and have integrity, or be conniving and vindictive. It is my hope that more and more journalists learn to work ethically. In the age of the Internet, there are more and more opportunities for journalists to be less-than-ethical. It is each writer's responsibility to understand the power of the written word, and ensure that he word is chosen with special care and precision.

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