I may not like WikiLeaks, but It is a wakeup call for journalism

i have been on the sidelines over the recent actions that have now plagued WikiLeaks founder Assange.  This brings to mind all too evidently the need of better journalistic standards.  Something that has been lacking since the establishment of Fox "News".  The public has been under the impression that more news means better coverage and a more "balanced" opinion.  Newsflash, it brings neither.  What has occurred over the last 20 years is a blurring of the lines between journalism and commentary.  And if one does not understand the difference, it's not surprising.  What WikiLeaks has done, whether we like what has been disclosed or not, is bring the problem of journalism into a clearer focus.

For the last 20 years, cable news programs have consisted of shouting matches sprinkled with information that is suppose to pass for news.  This kind of show is well liked by the followers of Fox News, MSNBC, CNN and others because it does not require the rigorous cost of actually going out and getting that information.  They merely take the information, break it apart, and spin it in their preferred direction.  Some stations are better than most at trying to appear that they are not spinning this information.  As a result, the production of "news" programs has become more cost efficient, in that they are now cheaper, and less able to go out and seek those stories that require months of research for a reporter.  Hence, it was no surprise that when WikiLeaks disclosed and uncovered information, they were willing to do what the other news companies did not have the guts, or the intellect, to do for fear of losing their credibility.  Sometimes one must put one's credibility on the line and risk looking like a fool.  Something many news organizations are not willing to do.  

Hence, the degeneration of the news into what we see now is a direct result of financial bean counters who all want to be 60 minutes.  Never mind that it took 60 minutes 5-10 years to build up a good following.  They all want results, and they want those results now.  This is reflected in their less than professional journalistic ethics at times.  That is why the public now needs to become more aware that organizations like WikiLeaks will become the norm more frequently, as they are filling the void left vacant due to the inability of news organizations to do more with less.  I applaud Assange for having the guts to discolose information, even if I don't like what its about, because that is what a free press is suppose to do in a democracy.  It's suppose to inform people about things that they would probably not want to hear about.  It does not fit into the endless cycles of mudslides in Peru or Java.  It challenges one to think outside of dismal commentary by O'Riley that is suppose to be "news".  We need more people willing to take these strides.  If only to wake up a press corp that is sadly lacking in its search for real news.