Our perspectives of journalists

It seems that because of people's varying interests in domestic and international issues and events, whether it be political elections and debates, sporting events, natural disasters, military conflicts, or anything in between, a journalist serves as a personal reporter to those who benefit from his or her work.

Journalists hold value to each of us in different ways, as they enlighten us on information that we as ordinary citizens ("ordinary" for the most part) could not be educated on unless we were directly involved or had the privilege to be connected in some way.

A light example would be a sports story...a Boston Globe journalist who covers the Red Sox spring training activities will have a "special" sort of connection to me simply because I am so emotionally invested in his writing.

His stories are what updates me on the happenings of my favorite baseball team as they prepare for their next season.

His stories captivate me and leave me with questions after the last word is read.

How serious is [that player]'s injury? Does he (the journalist) think the team is healthy? Do have a chance?

To be a journalist is to be an educator, a teacher in some ways. Yet their job comes with no real syllabus or structure.

Stories develop, slowly or with (sometimes devastating) quickness, and good journalists are there for every twist and turn...as if the news story is a roller-coaster and we're the spectators who didn't go on the ride yet can't wait to hear every detail about it.