Carly — Amazing insight into the “dumbing down” of real journalism, which has to do mainly with the three power houses that own our “news”. You are so spot on with this essay and I wanted to share my sentiment with an article that appeared on the front page of the Chicago Tribune this week. What’s with thinking that Speaker of the House Ryan’s beard is newsworthy? Why should we care whether or not a man sports a beard or a bun for that matter? If there was gender balance, where are the stories of women letting their leg or vagina hair grow until the next election? No, don’t want to see those photos, but it is no different. My point is, it is not news and it doesn’t really matter — or belong on the front page of a major newspaper! Leave that nonsense for a toilet tabloid if it must be shared.

I have no doubt that if upcoming journalists have the drive and interest to “take back” respectable and responsible reporting instead of sensational sound bites, that your generation will turn the tide for my grand children’s generation to make them better informed of real issues which will facilitate understanding and engagement, putting them in a position to take action where needed. It’s the only hope for tomorrow’s tomorrow and a better world!