Lets be honest. I say "Watchdog journalism" and you think "Watergate!" or "The Pentagon Papers!" Those are very good things to think of. Both are excellent examples of time where journalists fulfilled their role in being the Fourth Branch of our government. However,watchdog journalism is not just watching the government. It's any public official or organization.
Lets look at fictitious journalists in popular culture: Clark Kent aka Superman. Vicki Vale from Batman. Peter Parker aka Spiderman. Polly Perkins from Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (which is a wonderful, strange movie). April O'Neil from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. These are all EPIC characters who do what? Seek for the truth, and vow to present that truth to the masses.
Of course, the super heroes on that list to a little more than chase after and write the facts, but the metaphor holds. Journalists are, in a way, the super heroes of the world. They're the ones who look out for the people by watching over the policy makers.
It's our job to make sure the citizens know what is really going on by serving as their watchdog. It's also important to realize that this does not mean chasing down a scandal where one does not exist. It means finding the truth and telling the truth. If the large organization is actually being ethical and fair in it's practices, then write that! It's not as exciting, but it's still truth.
And truth is what we do.
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