It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's... a Journalist?

Super Journalist

You should definitely read this article. While I don't necessarily agree with everything in it (maybe I'm still too wet behind the ears to fit some of these descriptions), it is very funny, and something mentioned in it only briefly peaked my interest.

The author begins the article by mentioning Clark Kent, by day a hard-working reporter for the Daily Planet, by night a crime-fighting protector of the world who is constantly at odds with Lex Luthor. That got me thinking: Superman isn't the only superhero with a journalism connection. When he wasn't Spiderman, Peter Parker was a photographer for the Daily Bugle. Britt Reid, alter ego of the Green Hornet, even owned his own newspaper. I decided to explore my own explanations for this coincidence, and if you think about it, it makes sense.

1. Journalists are supposed to be the eyes and ears of the public.
   

On the front page of every Detroit Free Press is a motto that says something to the effect of "on guard for like a bazillion years." Much like superheroes fight all manner of villains and crime, journalists protect the public from corrupt politicians and morally suspect business owners. Our job is to find the truth. Sometimes objects in the mirror are not what they appear to be. Don't believe me? Just think about every superhero movie you've ever seen. Usually, the villain's plan seems beneficial to the community, as a real world example let's use a revenue producing sports arena. This is all fine and dandy until you realize that the power source for the arena is dumping toxic sludge into the local river. The journalist must fight against the corrupt corporation in order to bring the facts to the public in the same way Batman must protect Gotham City. By treating everything with an appropriate level of skepticism, the journalist is able to find out all sides of the story so the public doesn't have to.

1. Journalists provide a system of checks and balances.
   

The goal of journalism (at least good journalism) can be loosely translated as "just the facts, please." By reporting on the activities in Washington, the state capitol, or even something as minor as the city's zoning board, journalists provide the public with the information necessary to judge their elected officials for themselves. This provides an essential tool to the public. If you don't like what a politician is doing, you can vote for the other guy in next election. This is the ultimate trump card in an era where politicians seem to have a loose moral compass. One has to make sure they are serving their constituents, and not their own selfish interests. (Kwame Kilpatrick anyone?) This is similar to Spiderman standing up to the prominent Otto Octavius.

Of course, if the superpowers and good looks come along with it, I see myself as Daredevil. A gold star goes to the two of you that get that joke.