A look back at 9/11 coverage

Following a visit from E.W. Scripps Assistant Professor Yusuf Kalyango on 9/11, the ideas concerning that day couldn't escape my mind. Looking back on the tragedy I realize that I did not critically examine the actual correctness of the media coverage but rather tried to absorb it all. I was struck with disbelief and horror, along with the entire nation. Professor Kalyango put emphasis on the fact that today's journalists seem to have trouble presenting major media crisis without slipping in bias or emotion. It got me thinking about the extreme level of challenge it presents. It's hard for anyone, including journalists, to look at days like 9/11 and not feel sorrow, among other raging emotions. To then pen an article without letting these feelings seep into your writing seems nearly impossible. But it is our job as young journalists to take this challenge. The Professor also informed us that immediately following 9/11, CNN would not allow it's correspondents to interview anyone who was currently disagreeing with President Bush's ideals. Through one perspective, this move can be seen as sensible to keep America as one unit during time of crisis, but was this censorship anti-American in itself? Journalists certainly can set a mood for the world. That kind of power needs to be taken seriously. It's up to us as journalism students to make this world an even better, brighter place.