MATTHEW BURNETTE

Staff Writer

We recently had the chance to visit with the journalism class at Coffee County Central High School and talk to them about their online publication, The Coffee Press, which has been revitalized in the past year or so.

Our goal, in hopefully was the first of many visits with the class, was to answer any questions they may have about the editorial process and impart whatever collective wisdom the three of us had.

And if we’re lucky, maybe ignite a spark for the field that I hold firmly in my heart.

I remember the first time I felt that spark when I was in college listening to instructors who had worked extensively in the journalism field, and even after an entire career, still felt a great passion for the work.

There was a rush of adrenaline that ran through me when I realized I could potentially do the things that they had done.

If we could do that for at least one student, then we’ve fulfilled one of our most important duties.

The state of journalism in the world seems to be discussed a lot, and there are probably a lot of valid criticisms added to that discussion.

Biases, inaccuracies and exaggerations come at you from every direction and along the entire spectrum of coverage.

Unfortunately, as is the case with any industry that solely relies on the abilities of humans, the shortcomings and foibles of humanity tend to find their way into the work. It’s never the intention, but occasionally the result.

Perfection is a hope though rarely a reality.

Yet, despite the validity of some of those criticisms, I have yet to hear anyone make a solid case against the importance of journalism.

We need the folks who are willing to go out in the field to report the news that matters and hold accountable those who think they may be infallible.

Journalism is a vital institution, and the only way to ensure that it remains so is by making sure the next generation wants it to.

As we left the classroom at CCCHS, I felt a sense of hope. In spite of the bad rap that the press gets, there are still young people who want to take on the noble task of reporting the news.

The students were engaged, had some great ideas for stories that they wanted to cover and seemed receptive to everything that we talked about.

It made me excited to get back to work.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering about the future of journalism, judging by that group of students that we got to spend an hour with, it’s incredibly bright.

That’s a good thing.