The double edged sword of having a smart phone/camera is that everyone can become a “journalist / reporter.” Are you a journalist because you’re employed by a

The double edged sword of having a smart phone/camera is that everyone can become a “journalist / reporter.” Are you a journalist because you’re employed by a news organization? How are you any different than someone who writes a personal blog? I wouldn’t want journalists to go through the hoops that doctors or lawyer needs to go through. In Journalism, like academia, you’ll encounter the problem where you accredite people who agree with you. Think of the rampant left ideology on college campuses, and the voting habits of college professors. “A poll conducted by Ivy League professors and administrators at liberal arts and social science faculties showed that 84 percent voted for Al Gore in 2000, as opposed to 9 percent for George W. Bush. 57 percent identified themselves as Democrats while only 3 percent identified themselves as Republicans.” Source: Robert Stacy McCain “Polls Confirm Ivy League Liberal Tilt,” Washington times. 1/15/2002 I suspect this gap has only widened and will continue to do so. (I’d love to see updated stats here.) I wish journalists would gather some real world experience, defined as working anywhere that is not journalism, before they become “journalists”. I have more respect for these folk and I view them as more credible. Tying this to buzzfeed, I’d be curious to see the average age and previous emoyment for these “journalists.” I’d hope they’re not hired fresh out of university where left ideology is popular and pervasive. Sidenote: Gaining real world experience also applies to these “lifetime academics”, particularly those in non-STEM fields on college campuses. Go experience the world before you criticize it then lay out utopian visions.