What purpose does journalism serve in your life?

"Never has freedom of information been so closely associated with democracy... The equation is simple. The absence or suppression of civil liberties leads necessarily to the suppression of media freedom."      -Press Freedom Index, 2011-2012

Journalism is essential to freedom, which in turn is essential to democracy. In totalitarian regimes, governments control the populace through a combination of media suppression and tightly hierarchal corridors of power. In other parts of the world, corruption and lawlessness leaves journalists fending for themselves, though this has begun to change. In the United States, we're blessed with a democracy that allows the people to elect their leaders. We have a Constitution that protects our basic rights and and grants us civil liberties. In other words, we're doing pretty good.

Pictured above: Journalism at its finest

So what purpose does journalism serve? The watchword of Peter Parker (aka Spiderman) was, "With great power comes great responsibility." As free citizens of the United States, we have both power and responsibility to make informed decisions when it comes to our country. How do we do that? Using journalism. Using the free press to stay informed, making intelligent decisions when it comes to the media we intake, and learning about the conflicts, politics, and events of the world around us. By the way, Spiderman's career when he wasn't fighting crime? A journalist! (More accurately, a photographer.) How's that for some symbolism?

Personally, I make it a habit to know what's going on in the world. Call me nosy, but I feel that to be an active participant in democracy needs to require a knowledge of current events, political happenings, and world affairs. And without good journalism, we'd have none of that. So what purpose does journalism serve? A better question, perhaps, is what purpose should it serve? We determine what media we intake, and we can make decisions based off of what we know. So make an effort to learn something today. Pull up a tab on the Internet and read a good article. With the wealth of information at our fingertips, it would be a shame to waste valuable time trawling through relationship statuses on Facebook or watching funny clips on YouTube. Learn something new today, because that's the purpose journalism should serve. With great power comes great responsibility.