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Ooh, what a great idea! OK, then, bloggers who've read medical books will be allowed to do heart surgery, and citizen journalists who've seen TV programs about courtroom dramas should be permitted to practice law in real courtrooms.

Competent journalists (I tried to be one for 40 years) need just as much education and experience as other professionals. Of course, the explosion of the internet and the pop culture take-over of TV have blurred the distance between ability and backyard gossip. As for the coverage of Congress, I admit it may not take an educated journalist to cover all the political posturing, bedroom antics, pork-barrel spending and lobbyist crimes that overwhelm all the other news.

A sad example of a former journalist who has now fallen to the level of a high-school blogger is Barbara Walters, who once was a hard-hitting, world-respected professional. Among her other great skills, she covered Congress and other Washington scenes very well, but today is now nothing more than the mother hen in a daily barnyard squawk session.

I believe there should be a strict screening process in effect when it applies to candidates who apply for credentials to cover such serious fields as the workings of the U.S. Congress. The basic requirement should be a degree in journalism from a respected university. Additionally, the applicant should have solid experience in TV and/or newspaper reporting while covering various areas of government, including other Washington agencies, and/or city and state institutions.

Of course, a degree in journalism may not be a hard-and-fast rule. I believe a bachelor's degree in another subject, such as English, government or similar area is acceptable, providing the applicant can show samples of competent writings about governmental activities.

Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
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