As much as the public likes to discredit the media, they turn to it for truth. Whenever people look for information about what’s going on in a place other than their own bubble, they turn on the TV, open Twitter, surf the internet for articles or some even still consult the newspaper.

But here’s the thing. Media is written and published by journalists. And the only higher power regulating what journalists say is the journalists’ Code of Ethics.

Every news outlet interprets the code of ethics differently and often disregards a few honorable points.

In effect, the truth is often compromised. Headlines are sensationalized; entire stories are sensationalized. What people really feel and how they really reacted is often skewed.

We’re also in the season of presidential debates, which are moderated by journalists. It is incredible to watch the power that news networks have through the questions their journalists ask. The entire country is watching as are many people in other parts of the world. The questions the moderators ask set the tone and decide the tune of the election.

This election, they’ve decided to focus on petty topics and at this point, they’ve re-hashed them so many times the American people are disinterested in giving the election the respect it normally has. The moderators ask questions that cause the candidates to discuss surface, petty things—then, that ends up being the news the next morning. Which is then followed by every other journalist doing a follow up on the event using the same quotes. It’s a spiraling effect. In effect, what the candidates actually believe is skewed because everyone is focused on the scandal and the petty topics.

What would happen if questions were no longer about emails and sex scandals? What would happen if the moderators asked questions about the candidates’ policies? Might the tune of the election be different?

Journalists need to be ethical—they need to follow the Code of Ethics in order to do good reporting.

Not only has the Pope in Vatican City spoken up about the matter, but he’s posted it in a VIDEO. (Yes, the Pope has gone digital)

SO why aren’t more journalists motivated by a strong sense ethics?

It’s clear the ethics of journalists have the power to change a society’s viewpoints—so why don’t they just do it?

Lazy? Stubborn? Bored?

Maybe we do need the divine intervention the Pope is praying for .

Photo Credits: ANSA