The power of Journalism

I sort of neglected my Substack during April for a multitude of reasons. However, I recently wrote this piece for my University Writing course at GW, and I’m really proud of it, so I wanted to share it here. As someone who loves to write, I still struggled at times in this course, but looking back, I feel quite fulfilled by everything I was able to learn and take away from each and every class.

At many points during this course, I was confronted with some uncomfortable truths—like the idea that journalism is dying—which as a journalism student, was something I didn’t really want to hear from my professor. That’s why I found this extra credit assignment to be a nice opportunity to express my thoughts and feelings on the topic. I normally like to draw a distinct line between my academic and personal writing, but I am incredibly passionate about journalism, and found it fitting to share it here, too.

Prompt: “What’s the point of learning to write beyond a basic level?”

This prompt speaks to me in a rather profound manner, not only because I am currently working to earn a bachelor’s degree in journalism, writing for GW’s student newspaper, or even having my own writing blog, but also undeniably because these aspects of my life are culminating factors in my passion for writing. In school, it's engraved into many young minds that writing is a tool—a quite powerful one—because it has the ability to get us what we want. Sure, that’s a bit of a juvenile approach to the topic, but I have always kept that idea in my head and have continued to expand on my personal, professional, and academic writing. Granted, because I have always viewed writing as the elite subject in school, a valued pastime, and have taken the necessary steps to pursue it at the university level, I believe my perspective on the idea of writing still holding power and writing beyond a basic level is unique, but also responsive to individuals who hold the same passion.

I find it important to recognize that not everyone needs to write beyond a basic level—in fact, a significant percentage of people globally lack access to education and cannot write at all. This reality highlights the privilege and responsibility that comes with advanced literacy and writing skills. Those who choose to educate themselves beyond the rudimentary level are not only demonstrating a commitment to their own intelligence, but are also playing an important role in resisting the overreliance on artificial intelligence in communication. In a world increasingly dominated by AI-generated content, the ability to express original thought through writing has become a powerful and distinctly human skill. One group that especially embodies this value is journalists. Journalists serve as a vital counterpoint to AI. Their work underscores the importance of human intention and ethical judgment…qualities that machines have yet to replicate meaningfully.

Contrary to the notion that journalism is “dying,” I firmly believe that journalism is the epitome of what “good writing” is…that is, when it is done correctly, with clear intentions and an unwavering desire for the truth. To contrast, “good writing” is not just grammatically correct phrasing and properly structured paragraphs…there’s so many layers to writing, all of which I feel are mastered by journalists. To be a journalist, you must always be working to master the craft of writing. In short, you must be able to write beyond any baseline. The term “writing” itself is so incredibly nuanced that I have a hard time pinpointing any one author, writer, journalist, researcher, or even student where it can be unanimously agreed upon that they are the best, which rather speaks to how, when any one person strives to write beyond a basic level, they are equal to everyone else who has also reached that point. The capability of writing beyond a basic level can serve anyone in a multitude of ways, as communication is a key component of life, however to the idea and historical impact of journalism is a clear and indisputable example of the power of writing beyond any fundamental means.

Focusing on journalism specifically strikes me as the most crucial factor in any conversation revolving around writing in the current climate, because of the strong reliance there is on it, particularly in the modern political sphere and the uncertainties it has brought. Journalism, at its core, does not just spew statistics, facts, quotations, or dire information to the public; it instead seeks out the truth, exposes liars or cheats, amplifies the voices of the silenced, fosters new perspectives and narratives for all to read and absorb, and ultimately shapes societal discourse, both knowingly and unknowingly. Most journalists, depending on the topic they’re covering, also invoke and intertwine emotions such as empathy into their writing, something I wholeheartedly believe that artificial intelligence or other advanced technology could never replicate to the same caliber. 

A key aspect of journalistic writing that also goes hand in hand with “good writing” is that it keeps readers hooked and repeatedly interested. Of course, the idea of new information being covered and released every day is an easy way to keep readers engaged, with stakes that in a way, impact everyone. An example of this being Americans anxiously tuning in to their usual news channel to see the latest questionable remark from Donald Trump in a press conference or the newest piece of legislation he has enacted. Artificial intelligence has coveted itself as working to complete tasks, to get things done, and to make one’s life easier. However, journalists work to interact and intervene with reality to formulate emotional connections, to use their voice in the written form because they know it serves a grand purpose, and are ultimately fueling their own passion. Journalists admit when they don’t have all the answers, facts, and statistics and actively work to uncover every avenue possible to provide the complete and total truth. They write with an immense amount of “what ifs” and without a certain endpoint mapped out for them. This is a form of writing that can become quite messy and much more difficult for AI to mimic and copy. Journalists write with an immense amount of risk, whereas AI hasn't been designed to evoke extreme emotions or perspectives, and even if it is programmed to, the lack of human empathy and emotion will take away plausible amounts of its character. Good journalism has the ability to make your heart drop, send a chill down your spine, and make you lose your breath. AI does not even remotely compare to the humanism present in journalism. 

Above all else, “good writing,” regardless of whether it's for journalistic purposes, abides by a code of ethics and responsibility, as well as a keen sense of sensitivity—all of which artificial programs have proven unable to uphold. Simply recall recent headlines that have repeatedly exposed general AI programs for fostering conversations involving blatant racism and gender bias, all of which can be traced back to the lack of humanism in these programs. Upon further analysis, it must be remembered that journalism serves as an incredibly important watchdog for the government and major societal power structures, whereas AI operates for them and their benefit. After all, the founder and CEO of OpenAI was present at President Trump’s inauguration in January. Without the constant outsourcing and publishing of articles, publications, and news, society would be blinded by the words of these power structures—who can, will, and do say whatever makes their persona look the absolute best. Independent writers and journalists have increasingly grown in popularity because, in today’s political and media climate, news companies are being silenced, threatened, and even bought out (just look at Paramount and its newly uncovered ties to the Trump administration).

In a growing society of uncertainty, “good writing” is what allows us all to stay afloat—but most importantly, to stay informed. Doctors, engineers, scientists, and all the other STEM lovers who couldn’t care less about advanced writing can still collectively agree that writing is a tool that can truly save lives—even outside the world of journalism. We must all continue to value, support, and encourage the growth and evolution of writing, as it continues to exist for one essential reason: to empower individuals from all backgrounds and aspects of life.