American politics used to be an amateur sport. But somewhere along the way, we handed over to professionals all the things people used to do for free.
Bob SchiefferRead
I've had a lot of fun, and when I talk to kids in journalism schools, I say, look, I know what the journalism teachers tell you that this is a great way to perform public service and all that, but I say the main reason, if you decide what you want to do is be a reporter, the main reason you want to do it is because it's just so much fun.
Interpretation
The joy of journalism should be the primary motivation for those who choose to be reporters.
Bob Schieffer emphasizes that while journalism can be seen as a noble profession serving the public, the core reason to pursue it should be the enjoyment it brings. He suggests that passion and fun in reporting are essential driving forces that make the work fulfilling.
In practice
During a guest lecture at a school of journalism, I might share this quote to inspire students.
American politics used to be an amateur sport. But somewhere along the way, we handed over to professionals all the things people used to do for free.
The Iraq war was fought by one-half of one percent of us. And unless we were part of that small group or had a relative who was, we went about our lives as usual most of the time: no draft, no new taxes, no changes. Not so for the small group who fought the war and their families.
I don’t think people realise how vital libraries are or what a colossal danger it would be if we were to lose any more. Having had a truncated school life myself, all of my education from the age of 17 has been self-taught. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for the opportunities the library gave me.
Publicity, publicity, PUBLICITY is the greatest moral factor and force in our public life.
Since I began presenting programmes about black history my life has become a constant impromptu focus group. I am stopped in the street by people who want to talk about the histories those documentaries explore.
Although it may be true that the notion of teaching virtues such as honesty or integrity arouses little controversy, it is also true that vague consensus on the goodness of these virtues conceals a great deal of actual disagreement over their definitions.
Above all, though, children are linked to adults by the simple fact that they are in process of turning into them. For this they may be forgiven much. Children are bound to be inferior to adults, or there is no incentive to grow up.
Where one man reads the Bible, a hundred read you and me.
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