Someone jotted down the characteristics of what quality journalism is. It was quite an extensive list, but here are two which struck a chord in me:

Journalism does not seek to be objective but rather to make its inherent biases and perspectives clear so that readers can make choices on their own.

It seeks to find the widest useful context for the events that occur in our world each day. It attempts to explain those events within that context.

It is rare that a person who writes or speaks will list down his/her own inherent assumptions. Communication is seldom just a transmission of information, it is persuasion or manipulation. People with the gift of gab or the gift of language can be extremely influential.

It is power.

And with all powers, it takes a rare breed of men and women not to abuse them.