Why Be a Journalist: Friday, May 17, 2024

By Naomi Ohman from Montana State University

The sun rises on Sioux Center, a place some of us grew up in, and some of us had never heard of before arriving. Many hours after sunrise, the WJI class of 2024 rose from their cozy dorm beds to face the day, (they allowed one night of extra sleep after our long sojourn to Dordt University…who knows when the next will be).

We had a short introduction to the program last night by Lee Pitts, but I was excited to start this morning with our first real session of instruction. Pitts didn’t disappoint. The first session was on the philosophy of journalism. Essentially, why be a journalist?

We funneled into the classroom at 10 am. Being from a state university, I was equally shocked and blessed when Naomi opened us in prayer, a reminder that I get to spend the next two weeks surrounded by believers who share the same passion for storytelling.

We spent the morning discussing the need for Christian participation in the media – the need for truth tellers. What impacted me most was Pitts’ description of the Bible’s blueprint for journalism, including Micah 6:8. I’ve spent a lot of time discussing ethical storytelling with academic historians and writers because of my degree, but this verse lays out the essence of it.

Micah 6:8 provides a framework for good journalism. First, act justly; hold the powerful accountable. Second, love mercy; give a voice to the voiceless and care for the least of these. Third, walk humbly; pursue truth and write to serve rather than to impress.

We complicate storytelling but when we look to The Storyteller, our Creator, the instructions are simple and can serve to build community by building empathy. Journalism can be a calling that partners with God to redeem and restore by compelling people to notice the plights and victories of their neighbors.