by Ivana Braga
Until days ago, Bob Schieffer was a name that eventually a
heard about, one of the famous American journalists with a
familiar face on TV. From now, he is one of the people that
reminded me why 16 years ago I chose to do journalism. I had
two opportunities to listen him on this November of 2013:
one exclusive session with some Cronkite School faculties,
Humphrey Fellows and attaches students; and other was his
speech for a crowd during the annul luncheon at Walter
Cronkite Excellence Award, which he received.
Those experiencies was valuable and special to reinforce the
role of journalism today and for ever. He gave many lessons,
advices and 
insights. If I could summarize them I would use two words:
accuracy and ethic. Journalism is essential part of the
democracy, as much it raise as much people demand for
information. That cycle won’t to stop, people want to
be feed more and more, in many ways, by different devices.
The challenge is do the right thing on time. He, like me, is
from one age that at least two people look over what you
wrote before it be published. Today, journalists have to do
it by themselves. He also alerted about social media that
should no be superficial journalism. The respect for the
language and accuracy on the process are fundamental.
Doing the right things is not question only the accuracy, it also requires ethics. It is coherent, once journalism is made by selection. We select the words, angle, who has voice and who not, what should be published and which not. For me ethics is when we have good answers for why we selected each one of these elements. For how many today’s headlines the answer would be public interest?
I don’t work directly in news media for almost threes years, but I don’t believe in former journalist. The lessons from Bob Schiffer continue to make sense for my job as communications consultant for NGOs, strengthen my commitment as journalist in everywhere, and as citizen that expects for responsible media contents.
