By John Plue
In light of the recent World Press Freedom Day on May 3, it is important to remember why journalism is vital to everyday society. World Press Freedom Day “celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom, to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession” according to United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. There are mixed feelings about the media and in some cases, it’s not completely unwarranted. There are some news platforms that are biased and others that are just flat out jokes. Also, in 2019 people are growing bored with the news. They do not want to read it; they do not want to take the time to read the article. It is just easier to get the news in quick headlines than to actually reading the article.  
News is more than just bias, catchy headlines, and jokes. It is important to remember that when looking for a reputable source. It is also important to remember why we need the news in all forms that we can get it.
Journalism tells the story of the time. It keeps everyone up to date on things that need to be heard and things that need to be remembered. If done right and if it is unbiased the journalist can hold people accountable for their actions, can expose the truth to the world.
A good example of journalism exposing the truth to the world is how involved the news was involved with the Vietnam War. According to an article written by Seth Robson “Accredited journalists in Vietnam interacted freely with troops and filed uncensored reports about the conflict.” This war was basically televised as well, with pictures and videos being shown on screens across America. There are even a few that say the media played a role in the United States defeat in the Vietnam War. It showed America what was happening in the war instead of sugar coating it.
If we start censoring the news or taking away journalistic freedoms, then we begin to lose the basics of our freedom. People could begin to think that they can’t question anyone or do not have a voice to do so. Journalists give the people a chance to see the truth and give them a chance to stand up for that truth.