"Some of our best journalists take themselves even more seriously than the politicians they write about"
- R. W. Apple, Jr.
About this Quote
The quote by R.W. Apple, Jr., a prominent reporter, provides an important lens on the relationship between reporters and politicians, highlighting the severity and gravitas with which reporters approach their functions. At face value, the declaration suggests that some journalists have a level of self-importance that surpasses even that of the political leaders they cover. This can be translated in numerous ways.
Firstly, it underscores the considerable responsibility that reporters feel in their profession. Reporters play an important function in shaping public discourse and notifying the citizenry, which can impart an extensive inner voice and significance in their work. This severity is a sign of their commitment to truth, accuracy, and the necessary of holding power to account. In a period where false information can spread quickly, such dedication is vital.
Alternatively, the quote might review how some journalists view their role, meaning an inflated sense of significance. Journalism is naturally about observation, analysis, and reporting, but when journalists begin to see themselves as more central to the story than the stories they cover, it can result in predispositions and skewed reporting. This can manifest in reporters prioritizing their point of views and analyses over well balanced, objective reporting. It reflects the possible pitfalls of journalists becoming stars in their own right, where their individual brand overshadows their reporting.
Moreover, the quote reflects on the vibrant and sometimes adversarial relationship in between journalism and politicians. Reporters often act as guard dogs, inspecting those in power, and in doing so, they might embrace an air of authority and supremacy.
In essence, Apple's observation is a nuanced pointer of the humbleness required in the practice of journalism. It challenges journalists to balance the important nature of their work with self-awareness, guaranteeing they remain facilitators of details instead of main figures in the stories they cover.
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