By Ryan G. Murphy, Digital Media Editor


Today is certainly a day to appreciate some of the basic and perhaps overlooked freedoms we enjoy as American citizens. Like many of you, I’ve had relatives and friends – past and present – serve in the U.S. military during wartime. I’d like to thank each of them for that. Without them, our country would not be what it is and our profession, journalism, might have an entirely different landscape.

With courage I can’t even imagine summoning, our veterans and active-duty service members have dug into the depths of themselves in an effort to preserve democracy. I’m not sure most of us will ever fully comprehend the level of sacrifice some of these men and women have offered, but it’s certainly worth our time today to reflect on it and appreciate what’s been done.

As journalists, we are by no means soldiers. Not even by a long shot. Like soldiers, though, we’re out to protect democracy – to inform the community of the truth so that, at the very least, a basic understanding of certain issues can help bring potential democratic injustices to light.

I realize that’s a very ivory-tower perspective when most of us consider our everyday tasks – updating web sites, cutting video, writing obituaries, and so on – but think about why you got into journalism in the first place. For me, the appeal came from the educational elements the field offers. As I began to study and practice journalism, it became clear that educating an audience, at its fundamental level, was paramount to a journalist’s role in serving as a check and balance for democracy. When I remind myself of that, I get excited about what I do.

I don’t anticipate that a “Journalists Day” would ever take on the same meaning as Veterans Day (and I don’t think it should) but perhaps today, as we’re honoring our veterans, it might be worth a few minutes of your time to reflect on how you as a journalist and how organizations like RTDNA are fighting to promote democracy and protect press freedoms.

If you’re a current, former or future RTDNA member, you realize the value of RTDNA in the democratic process and you’re willing to fight to preserve what’s right. So as I thank our veterans today, I also thank you.