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We experience many things firsthand.
We know what happened because we were there.
Since it's not possible to see everything for ourselves
we must rely on the reports of others.
At professional news organizations the job of creating these reports
is done through a process of journalism.
Journalism is the practice of gathering, assessing,
and presenting news and information for print, broadcast or the internet.
The job of a journalist is to conduct research, check facts,
and present accurate reports that explain issues and events.
Journalism can cover any topic:
from sports to entertainment, to health, to politics.
Journalism produced by news organizations is especially important for democracy.
As citizens we rely on journalists to provide the information we need
to make the best possible decisions about our lives, our communities,
and our governments.
There are a number of important roles that journalism plays.
Journalism helps inform people about the events and issues
that are important for society as a whole.
It contributes to collective knowledge
and helps shape opinions about what is happening in the world.
Journalism can also present different perspectives on issues
and provide a forum for public debate.
Journalists act as watchdogs by holding those with power to account.
They encourage honesty and transparency
from government officials and other authority figures
by questioning their actions and decisions and by uncovering the truth.
Finally, journalism can give people who lack power in society a voice
by sharing the stories of those who face different challenges.
Journalists can help create empathy among the public.
Journalism is essential for democracy
because it shines a light into places that may otherwise be dark
and helps people to stay informed about issues that matter.
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