The most essential gift for a good writer is a built-in, shock-proof b.s. detector. This is the writer's radar and all good writers have it - Ernest Hemingway

 

Journalism is one of the few professions that is protected by the United States Constitution. Having journalists who look out for the best interest of the public is essential to sustaining democracy in the United State's.

In order for journalists to do their job, they must listen well. 

"The best journalists are good listeners," Rene Kaluza says, the Enterprise Editor at the St. Cloud Times.

"I would rank listening as a top skill journalists need," Kaluza says. "When a journalist is not listening to someone during an interview, they won't be prompted to ask questions that go deeper into the story. Some journalist believe they have the story before the interview, and therefore, hurry through their list of prepared questions."

However, the story can change during the interview. 

"A journalist should not portray their idea of a story. They should aim to portray someones else's story," Kaluza says. 

Kaluza also added that some journalists often assume they know answers to the questions they ask and that they should avoid doing it. 

"Assumptions are dangerous in journalism," Kaluza says. 

Listening is important in all professions. Future and current Journalists who listen well will help sustain one of the pillars to Americans society; democracy.