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Preface Journalism has always had its critics, particularly ­people in power who resist public scrutiny. However, presently the profession is meeting some of its greatest challenges as questions persist about its credibility and relevance. This book tackles this daunting topic at an equally daunting time as we find ourselves engaged in debate about the merits of journalism and its role in society. Although many ­people have objected to specific examples of news coverage, few ­until now have questioned the entire enterprise. I count myself as an advocate for journalism and a believer in its resiliency, with good reason. During my ju­nior year of high school, I walked into a guidance coun- selor’s office and was struck by an inconspicuous poster that would fun- damentally affect my ­future. Growing up in Washington, DC, during the turbulent 1960s and 1970s with a dad who was a journalism pioneer and a mom who taught elementary school, I was exposed to the importance of media, specifically the news media. I knew quite early that I wanted to fol- low in my dad’s footsteps—­and that poster offered a potential pathway. It announced a six-­week internship at WTOP-­TV—­Channel 9, which at the time was owned by the Washington Post. The station was also con­ve­niently located across the street from my high school. The prerequisite for consid- eration was writing an essay on the significance of media and an in-­person interview, if you made the cut. I made the cut—­but was not chosen. The devastating news was communicated in a phone call: “This is for kids who ­ don’t have a parent who can give them a leg up,” I was told, affirm- ing their knowledge of my ­ father’s ­ career history. However, a few days ­ later ­there was a reprieve. “We’ve talked about it as a committee . . . ​one of the other three students selected dropped out . . . ​and we unanimously agree that you deserve the spot.” That phone call opened the door to my own pathway as a media professional.