>> today on c-span republican presidential candidate buddy roamer is holding a news conference. he is expected to talk about campaign fund-raising efforts in the 2012 presidential race. that is live at 10:00 a.m. eastern on c-span. >> see what political reporters are seeing and track the latest contributions with c-span's website for campaign 2012. it helps you navigate the political landscape with twitter feeds and facebook updates. candidate bios and links to espn media partners in the early primary and caucus states.

>> this week a talk with participants in the washington journalism and media conference held on the conference of george mason university in fairfax, virginia. aspiring journalists discuss ethics and morality in modern day journalism. >> abigail birch, tell me where you are from and why you are here? >> i'm here to be part of the washington media and journalism conference to learn more about writing, politics, media and how it is used in our world today to broadcast and just all the things you could learn about other people who have been successful with journalism to help us understand what we can do with our careers in the

future if we go to college and do everything we have been dreaming about because it is possible. i go to school at marshall school in duluth. host: why did you come to this particular conference? guest: i don't know how i was nominated but i received the letter of recommendation to sign up for this. it was about january or so. i wanted to do this because i will be having a novel published in about two years and i want to figure out if i'm doing everything i can to be the best writer that i can. host: who will publish it? guest: little brown. host: that is big. how did you get that? guest: i have been writing since i was little and my english teacher read my first few chapters and said it needs to be published and he sent it to his friend who is a small publisher and he sent it to his associate who is my current agent.

host: and they have already accepted it and will publish it? guest: yes. host: when? guest: it will be published after i have one semester of creative writing classes in college. host: why are they waiting? want to delete it and rewrite it. it is about a girl who is failing her journalism classes in college as a junior and in order to like bring her grids up she takes on the forbidden project of spwoug the most important machine in the accountant and ends up falling in love with him. host: how old was she when she personnel in love with him? guest: 25. host: how old is he? guest: 30. host: he content take place -- he can't be president. guest: that is the spoiler of the future. host: thank you. that is a good start. we will look forward to the

novel. little brown is a big publishing company. who else wants to tell us more about the conference and why you are here? matt, i have one back hear. you don't have to stand up. where are you from? guest: greentop, missouri. host: why did you come? guest: i came because i wanted to learn more about my year, the career i want to go into, mick contacts and this way with making contacts i can get where i want to go in the future. host: where is that? guest: i want to be a sports broadcaster behind the scenes mostly, behind the camera. and i want to be maybe a production assistant or producer or director of maybe working with espn or something of that sort. host: why do you want to work possibly at espn? guest: i love sports and i love to be around sports.

sports pretty much is so interesting to me because i love to watch the action happen. i love when action unfolds in front of me. host: thank you, sir. this group i know is from 35 states all seniors in high school. we have somebody from guam. who else wants to talk about this conference and why you are here. if you will give the young lady in the back an opportunity to have the microphone. tell us who you are and where you are from. guest: i can't really stand. i'm in a wheelchair. i'm from massachusetts. i attend a technical high school. at the conference what i have learned so far is that you have to strive for what you can do

and what you want to tdo. and to mick connections now. host: where do you want to go? guest: i want to be a photojournalist. but i want to stay in the united states and take local, more community based photojournalism from there. host: how much of that do you do now? guest: i'm in a graphics program in my school. i go half school and half in graphics program. we use cameras every day. host: can we see your work on the web anywhere? guest: uh, i have most of my work on my computer. but i have some on my personal blog on tumbler and you can look me up on there. i have a lot of my work on

there. but i love it and i'm getting a new camera this year so i'm so excited and i can't wait to pursue more. it tell us what item pwhr-- tumbler. guest: it is a blog. host: let's go over here. to anybody that is in range. yes, ma'am. guest: i'm representing green valley high school in henderson, nevada. closer to list. i have been honored to attend the conference. we were all knowledge knitted in january by a teacher or somebody who attended in the past and i feel like it is a wonderful opportunity as a way to get our voices heard and develop our skill set, as a way to learn to develop our personal brand. we have had seminars on all of those things. host: why do you want your voice heard?

guest: personally i love journalism. i'm very interested in perhaps a political career, not my formal announcement by any means but i'm very interested in something along those lines in the further representing the state of nevada. host: you like journalism or government more? guest: that is so difficult. i think that they are hand in hand right now. i feel that somebody in the government needs to have a journalism background and communications background, needs to know how to effectively with their constituents, how to effectively communicate their personal brand as well as their ideas for legislation and their voices heard out in their district. host: who do you most admire in politics? name one so we can get flavor. guest: i served in the senate last summer and i would have to say i admired a lot of senators that were up and coming. i have my eye on a particular republican candidate i would have to say representative michelle bachman.

i see her doing well. host: were you a page in the senate? gues guest: i was. host: who else? yes, sir, what is your name? guest: joe west. one reason i came is i got the nomination in january but i always liked journalism, mainly sports and i write for my city newspaper and work for the radio and thought this would be a good opportunity to broaden and learn more. i actually learned -- i was planning on majoring in journalism but i have learned through the past week that journalism mint be the best major to get into for journalism. host: why not? guest: i don't know. i have heard that three or four times from different speakers. i didn't really detail it. i don't know. host: well, this is all about journalism as you can see up there, the washington journalism

media conference. but i'm anxious to find out from others about journalism and if you have an attitude about it. something here that i will get you involved in but we have so many hands up. this lady has something to say. where are you from? guest: cartersville, georgia. what he said about us being told that journalism may not be the best major to have, that was elaborate the edd it is better a major about something you are passionate about so that you can specialize in that and you can really become known for knowing your details and knowing what you are talking about. because anybody -- anybody can come up to you sand say what is your name and put to the in a paper. but for you to be able, if you

major in history to write about a certain event in another country and you know the history of that country and you know what's been going on you are able to bring more detail and more interest to a story that way. host: so, after you go through the next school year, where will you go to college? guest: i'm planning on applying to mercer in macon, georgia and flagler. host: whether will you major in? guest: either in communications and maybe go in broadcast or it major in history. because i have always really enjoyed learning history. host: i have something i always wanted to do. it is a discussion i want to get in to with journalism. if you go to the national press club, go to the 13th floor. have you been there? how many in this room -- you were there yesterday -- noticed the journalism creed that is right before you get on the

elevator? you did. did you read it? i want to read some of it and get you to respond to the definition of "journalism" as it is on the wall. it was written in the early 1900's by a man that went on to be the president of the youth of missouri. anybody here from missouri? e didn't even have a college degree but he ran the journalism school. i never ask aed why it is on th wall but they have it up there. it is the journalism creed. i will read a little bit and we can get the microphomicrophone. i believe in the profession of journalism. here is what you want to think about. whether you agree or disagree when you hear some of this. this is written in the 1900's early.

so, think of it no television, e-phones, no twitter, facebook, no c.d.'s, no walk man. i believe in journalism. in is what he said. walter williams feels his name. he is deceased. i believe that the public journal is a public trust that all connected with it are to the full measure of responsibility trustees for the public. that all acceptance of lesser service than the public service is bow trail of this trust. i believe that clear thinking, clear statements, accuracy and fairness are fundamental to good journalism. i believe a journalist should write only what he holds in his heart to be true. that is a start. there is more. tell us who you are and what you think of this. guest: i'm from portland, maine. i think most of those idealing

still uphold. but as the trust of -- i don't remember the exact words, but when they are saying it is the duty of journalists to bring the truth to people nowadays there is talk of how injurieses are more focused on trying to get -- sorry, i can't think of the word -- i can't think of the word. host: get their opinions out? guest: no the opinions but trying to find conflict in washington and scandals. host: if you think back in these times they were trying to find conflict? guest: i think they probably were but new i think it has been taken more now instead of -- host: are you sure it is more now? guest: i'm not sure. i didn't read the newspapers back then. i know i look old.

host: well, there is a story about the spanish american war and how a newspaperman got us involved in that that was all creating the drama and commitment back in the 1898 period. let me read more around think about what this man is saying, what the journalist creed and whether the press club should have it up there. and back to you, why did you read that? . it sails the journalist can -- it says the journalist creed and i want to be a journalist. and the ideals are very good. host: this was written in 1906 by walter williams. he also said i believe that suppression of the news for any consideration other than the welfare of society is indefensib indefensible. one thing you hear about today are performance writing books and they hold the information for nine, 10, 12 months until the book comes out and work for

major publication. is that the right thing to do? is that fair? if this corrode means anything it says i believe the suppression of the news for any consideration other than the welfare of society is indefensible. who else wants to hrabgt to anything they are hearing? the lady in the pwaback with th ponytail. sorry to have to define the way you look. guest: i'm from sharplcharlotte. what i have learned is journalism is and always has been the art of telling and of telling the story of current events, of past and present and predicting the future. and i think that what that is saying is that it is the true meaning of journalism is to give the facts. and i think we are struggling in this modern time when there is facebook and twitter and opinions and we are having

trouble focusing on the facts. i think that is the sort of thing. host: so when you wake up in the morning do you go to find out what is going on in the news? guest: i usually watch "the today show." host: is that where you find the best journalism? guest: not always. host: if you want the best journalism at the start of your day where do you go? guest: if i look for local stories i go to the newspaper. if i'm looking for national and international stories i would probably go to "new york times" website. host: what is your goal right now? to be a journalist? guest: i'm interested in international correspondent work, medical correspondent. i haven't really decided. host: if you look around the world, are we in a better position for somebody like you to find a job or in a worse position than say it was when i was your age? guest: in my been we are in much better mace much the opportunities people have to travel and to -- we have had

heard so many stories from amazing peoplelike hoda. she was a journalist. she did a lot of work for nbc now but she does date li line wk and she is a correspondent and learned a lot from her as far as her stories about at the beginning of when chefs -- she was first a journalist she was turned down 27 times before she got somebody to give her a job. such a ink that is perfect story of today how we have opportunities that we can go find. there are so many different news places and so many different websites and things that you can get involved in. host: let me read more of this to see what you think. this is the journalist creed walter williams, 1906.

tacked to the wall. i believe no one should write as a journalist what he would not say as gentleman. does that tell you anything right there? that is 1906. that bribery by one's own pocketbook is as much to be avoided as by the pocket bock of another. think about that. what it means in this new world of television and radio. that individual responsibility may not be escaped by pleading another's instructions or another's dividends. what do you think of that business about pocketbook. jennifer, the lady back there in the first row with her hand up. your name and where you are from. guest: allison from stanford, florida. host: what do you think of this thing i'm reading here about journalism and this business

about much to be avoided by bribery by the pocketbook? guest: you need to be true as reporter. you can't put out false information into the public. like it is your job it bring the truth out to the american people if you are in a country, to the people. that is your job. host: what do you think of the journalists that you see today? any of them worried more about their own pocket bock -- pocketbook? guest: a lot of them put their opinions out there which sometimes i think puts influence into other people's opinions a lot. but i don't really think that reporters get bribed all that much. host: they are talking about own pocketbook also. sounds to me it might be how much they are paid by their news organizations to do their job. there are other hands. why do you pass it off.

we have had one journalist that made $15 million a kwraoyear. what does this sound like? would you rather have the money, truth or both? guest: i'm from mechanicsburg, pennsylvania. as an aspiring journalist i'm already preparing myself for the very small salary that i will start with because i know that i'm pretty sure everyone here knows journalists do not make a lot of money especially when you first start. so i think that most journalists should be aware of that and there are some jobs that will make more money and for the that want that money they need to find those other jobs. but if you want to be a you need to have a passion for what you do. it is the kind of job that isn't about the money. it is about the work, it is about the truth and the facts and being there for the people. i think that a lot of times, especially in our economy with struggling times we are in, people that get caught up in that stuff.

host: where do you go for news and information? guest: my dream is to work in the insurance times so i read -- i ride it imes" so but i read my local newspaper because into is a lot of news that affects me. host: as you think -- are you going it college? guest: yes. host: do you know where? guest: not yet. i will be applying soon. host: whether will you study? guest: i want to study international relations perhaps a double major with journalism or international relations and government and politics. host: are you 17? . yes. host: what is your directly job? e an international correspondent for the insurance times. host: there weren't many slots left. guest: no but i can get one. host: there you go. how is that. here is another paragraph. we have two more paragraphs to go. i believe advertising, this is

walter williams, 1906, i believe advertising, news and edit storm columns should alike serve the best interests of readers. that a single standard of helpful truth and cleanness should prevail for all. supreme test of good journalism is the measure of its public service. you have been listening to a lot of people this week. we will get the mic to you. tell us who you are and where you are from. guest: i'm sarah stevens from oklahoma city, oklahoma. just expanding on what some of the previous speakers said, i believe that the most impactful journalism is journalism that is honest and earnest. like when hoda was speaking the other day she made a great impact on me. i had not heard of her before but she instantly commanded the

room and everyone was silent. it was lake everyohraeublake --d paid attention. she told like how she failed 27 times and it is not easy pause -- because everyone wants to graduate and make money but it is larger than the money. it is like being true to the art of journalism and reporting a true story. host: i will be a doubting thomas for a minute. why do you think she was telling you the truth? why do you think she was sincere? guest: because it is what makes the most impact. we have heard the cliches time and time again of stick to what you believe in, stay in school and of course you will make it. but that is not always what holds true. she didn't go to journalism school. she went it virginia tech. and just working around, you

know, working around problems or setbacks is really the only way to success. host: bodies -- besides hoda who do you watch or read that you admire? guest: i personally want to be a music journalist so i read a lot of like spin and rolling stone. i admire their style of writing personally. host: it is interesting the definition of journalism that supreme test of good journalism is the measure of its public servi service. she is talking about music and all that. what about this public service. do you think that has anything to do with journalism? become in the become -- back in the back there. guest: i'm from vienna, virginia. i feel like the purpose of journalism is to tell the truth and impact people. host: how do you know what is the truth? guest: i would think you should

be able it trust your journal t journalist. i believe sonally if what i'm reading is the truth and later i her it is not then i lose all respect for that reporter. i think that a person's integrity in journalism is the most important aspect of their career. host: lately in television a number of places have become very opinion-itted. you know when you go to the channels they will be on a side. they may have people from other sides but by and large they are on a side. i won't name them because people get upset when you characterize what any channels do. is that good or bad? guest: i don't think it is good. i believe opinion is good but only strictly written as opinion like the opinion section of the newspaper. i think it is interesting to read editorials and nice to hear other opinions but the importance of journalism is to hear what is happening and the tru truth. other miss that people will get that information besides from journalists so that is our responsibility to the

people. host: the most successful network in the united states, cable network, makes more money than anybody else, has a very strong opinionated base to it. you may disagree but when people are not in front of a microphone they will agree. they found out they can make lots of money being opinion-itted. guest: yesterday we heard a speaker jonathan martin and he said something about should we tell the people what they want to hear or need to hear. i think in this case it is kind of using people and not sure how to phrase it but manipulating people to play on their emotions by using a very strong opinion to get them to agree with you. i think that we need to give citizens the truth and we need to tell them the information that they need to know regardless of whether it is what

they want to hear. host: i think the word i hear from all of you is truth and we go back to the supreme test of journalism the measure of its public service. what about this public service thi thing? mr. williams thinks that is important. is that why you went in journalism? guest: i'm from stone mountain, georgia kaitlin peel. is a big part of it. journalism has been described as the fourth branch of government, and i think that is good because the government was set up by the people for the people and journalists are people and we write for people and get the truth out. and i think the republic cannot exist without journalism. host: so, it is not a business. it is really the fourth branch of government? guest: in a way. it is a service. host: do you want it to be part of government?

guest: no. journalism is such a broad spectrum from entertainment, politics, you know. you can change a channel when people are talking about elections in 2012 and then you go to another channel and they talk about something else. host: where would you go arithmet right going on?w what is guest: probably c tphfrpblts n. i -- cnn. host: why guest: i think what they put out most truthful. you have to go with your instinct. you can't know for sure on the front lines with them but you have to trust them. host: anybody down here want the microphone? we have to go to somebody else here. you think.t here is a missourian. you will go to the university of missouri? guest: yes. think of her do you

mr. williams? guest: he is amazing. university of missouri is the pwbest journalism is school in e nation in doubt. host: whoa. guest: sorry about that. but it really is because there s is a student run news station and you get firsthand experience before -- you know? the ike you are ahead of game. host: did you tell us your name? guest: shaun. i'm from branson, missouri. host: what about mr. williams used to be the dean of the journalism school. we talked about this thing about public service and shouldn't be feeding money into your own pocket and public trust, truths, accuracy, fairness. do we get this today? guest: i'm not going to name the network but one network like i

do not trust at all. like, you know, they are so biased and it is like all networks are but this one especial especially. host: isn't it better that you know what their bias is instead of them slipping it in on you? guest: yes, i guess. host: are you politically not on their side? guest: it is not that. it is just how they cover the news. i don't know. like -- yeah. host: the news they cover on opinions they give? can you sift through the difference? guest: uh, i go to cnn. host: so you are happy with cnn? guest: yes. and you really don't know if they are telling the truth but it is like you just have to trust your instincts. host: let's get a wide shot of

this. if you had to choose, i will ask which network you would go to. how many of you would tune to cnn if you want to get the news? ok. how many of you would tune to fox news? all right. how many of you would tune in to msnbc? anybody else. you go to bbc? let's get a microphone to you. name and where you are from. guest: i'm from lafayette, louisiana. i would turn to bbc for my news. i feel like when they talk about things they just give it to you straight and they really -- you can't tell if they have a bias. maybe it is the accent. but to me i get my news and it is straight and they come in the

morning, i watch before i go to school. we are about to head it school and i catch what is going on. host: have you ever seen jeremy paxs paxson? guest: probably. i don't really watch it. host: he looks like a tall guy but there is nobody that is more in your face than he is. guest: i don't like to watch it. i listen. host: listen to world service? guest: yes. it is in the morning, turn it on and i listen. host: how do you know they are telling you the real thing? guest: i feel like it is just there is a difference 2010 truth and fact -- between truth and fact. host: how do you know if you are listening to the bbc? guest: you can never be sure unless you go talk to the people they are interviewing you can never be sure. host: whether do you want to do when you grow up? guest: i really would love to be in politics. host: so you don't want to be in

journalism? guest: i love journalism. host: who do you idolize in politics or do you idolize anybody? ize anyone.don't idol ize i respect my representative. i feel like he is doing well for our community. he works for the people and he doesn't necessarily work to be re-elected but he keeps getting re-elected. host: do you think there are any representatives that do not work for the people? guest: i feel like some miff another agenda that they don't wouldn't necessarily -- host: what would it be? guest: maybe for themselves that they feel. i'm not sure. i don't know personally. i don't go ask. if you have an agenda and you are for yourself how do they get re-elected? guest: good campaigning. there are some in office this i don't agree with and they have an alter agenda bids -- besides

working for their performance. host: who else has their hand up? back there. gabrielle richardson from new york. i want to go back to what you said about is it a good thing or bad thing that more stations are opinion- opinionated. believe that is good because some people will watch it and they know this is not what i believe and if they don't agree they can watch a news station that they do agree with their views. that way you don't have the getting mixed up and people don't sometimes know what to think. host: do you ever go in a bookstore? guest: yes. host: you go in a borders or barnes & noble or independent story this are some 120,000 titles. do you ever say where are all of these books biasbiased? everybody buyers and fusses over

bias on television but you go to a bookstore you don't say it is a shame that all those folks have opinions. guest: well, they are box. you can sift through what you want to read and don't want to read. you don't have to read something you don't agree with. host: why isn't that the same with television? if you don't want to watch something you can ching -- change a channel. guest: you watch a show and there is so much going on and people saying a lot of defend things and messages get mixed up. i think that is a lot of problem, people don't know what they are watching and listening to. host: but you think you know more about somebody that wrote book than somebody who gave their opinion on television? guest: well, personally i think you can clearly make out what someone is trying to say and get across in writing than on televisi television. think writing is more

clear-cut. host: should will be a different standard for tell investigation, radio and -- television, newspaper and radio on what is truth, what is journalism? guest: i don't really know. host: we have a few hands up. pass it behind you and we will come back over here. guest: i'm from virginia beach, virginia. i want to piggy back on what she said but i don't have the same opinion. i feel like editorials have their miss but it compromises the integrity and facts in the news and it is very difficult. when every station is opinion-itted it is difficult to get the facts. i personally only really watch one station. if i go to watch another i turn because i don't agree. host: whether station do you watch? guest: i watch fox. host: i suspect this why down her doesn't like fox. he is nodding up and down.

why is it that you like them? guest: i'm socially conservative and pretty fiscally conservative. do you think they are giving you the conservative view? guest: yes, sir. i don't know. but i don't agree with boyas in the media -- bias in the media but i watch -- because there is nothing else to watch. host: why don't you agree with bias in the media? and where can you find no bias in the media? guest: you can't. host: so you don't degree with it and never found where in isn't any what difference does it make? guest: i think there should be a place where you can go to get the who, what, when, where, why, just the facts. host: are you willing to take the team to read the speech, watch the speech in its entirety? guest: sure. host: how often?

guest: as often as it takes to learn the facts. host: aren't you busy? yes but with the internet there are so many easy ways and you can youtube and fast forward. host: so you don't really want the whole thing. i'm confused. let's ask this young lady. what is your name? guest: i'm from clifton park, new york. i think that bias in the media is so popular because it is easier. if you just give performance the facts they have to think about it themselves and they don't have time, they are too lazy. so if you tell them what to think they listen and believe it. host: whether do you do when you want the news, injuries the -- news.he guest: i haven't found it either. maybe in the further. that is why we are here to be better journalists so maybe some of us will learn from this experience and grow up to be unbiased journalists. host: what do you think of what i have been reading as that

definition? guest: i think it is very idealistic and it is something we should strive to do but haven't achieved. host: i have one phmore paragra. there is something in this paragraph that i really would like -- you will hear it. i won't tell you what it is. but i want your reaction and especially in today's atmosphere. see if you can figure out what it is. first hand that goes up i will go it you. you read it before? ok. i believe this the journalism that succeeded the best and best deserves success fears god and honors man. is stoutly independent, unmoved by pride of opinion or greed of power constructive toll -- technical rant but never careless, self-controlled, patient, always respectful of its readers but always unafraid, is quickly indignant at

unjustice. unswayed by the people of the privilege or glamour of the phb, seeks to give every man a chance and as far as law an honest wage and recognition of human brotherhood can make it so. this is a long lead on anything journalist would write. host: who thinks they heard any here something that miff surpri-- might have surprised him. tell us your name and where you are from. guest: i'm patrick wright from nebraska. the word i think popped in my head was discipline. to be a good journalist you have to be disciplined enough to really put aside your bias and report the facts, the truth. what is really real per se. host: what do you want to do? guest: i want to be a journalist

and i want to work with social media and communications like that. i feel it is really opening up the world and allowing us to share more than we ever could. host: so you don't want to go through the filters? guest: not entirely. with social media it is more factual and true and you get it sooner. host: social media is more factual and true. how do you know? guest: real people telling real facts. host: why do real people tell real facts and journalist don't? guest: they have as many watching them and not as many that will criticize them and put them down. so, some people can say whatever they want. host: back to the paragraph, somebody have an opinion on this paragra paragraph? right there. what did you hear this struck you as might be controversial today? guest: well, first of all i'm katy.

russ. from freedom, new jersey. what struck me most about this paragraph was the fact that it says that it would be the media would be not influenced by any outside opinion or any personal opinio opinions. but today's media is, or swayed by the mob. it y's media is sway ed and is people bribed and they twist things. host: how do you know? guest: because there is a lot out there that -- host: what is your sense of ideal good journalism? whether institution would you say has the best journalism as defined here or as you would define it? guest: the way i would define best journalism is to put the

facts first and then put your opinion later. like, if somebody wanted to hear the straight facts they could hear it and if they don't want to hear your opinion they don't want to but they could. host: a newspaper would tell you the facts are on the front page and opinions on the editorial passenger. . that's correct. host: do you have a favorite newspaper? guest: i like the post, "washington post." host: you haven't gotten to the thing i thought might trigger your interests from this. w lets get somebody who hasn't spoken. right here. in today's world if there were actual journalists in the room that were working the profession there is something in here they may quarrel with. guest: i'm sarah sherman. i think that bias is truly human. we all have very, very specific opinions about everything just as you can see in this recommend

and if you write a story just of facts it is completely unemotional. the reason people love fox news and like movies is because it is emotional, love, hate. and when you see just like an article with facts it is dry. why so many newspapers are failing. host: they are just giving you the facts, ma'am? guest: right. the journalism i consider like the best journalism i want to be a photojournalist and work with national geographic ideally. host: not bad goal. guest: the journalism i read there is completely an experience. it is a story and it is human and what people want to hear is like love and they want to hear compassion and stories of people getting saved or being hurt because that is what people can relate to. and, of course, you want media that gives you the truth.

ut you can get truth through stories. host: anybody else figure out what i was citing? as long as we have -- go ahead, arithmetic -- right there. guest: what i think people would quarrel with now is it says something about not fearing god and i think -- this is whether i was lookin looking for. guest: people want to hear stories about love and stories that are moving. however, in journalism if we want to report just the facts you can't fear god. you have to keep emotions outside of it. host: this man was the president of the university of missouri, dean of the journalism school and they put it on the wall of the national press club. do you think if the press club

got together and said we need a new definition of journalism that this line would make it? let me read it. i believe the journalism which succeeds the best and best deserves success fears god and honors man. how do you think that would read today? whether would they put in place of those words? guest: i feel like -- host: with you fear anybody? guest: not really. host: would you honor machin ma. any chance that with get into this? guest: probably not. host: why not? guest: i don't know. host: one reason i must tell you is this room is full of probably 150 journalism students and maybe one out of 15 is a man. if you had been in the room in my time within out of 15 would be a woman.

that has changed. guest: in terms of the actual word man would you replace it with person? host: i'm asking you. guest: i didn't think of it as man as in i thought it was like manki mankind. host: who else? we have people all the way in the back that anybody down here in the front? i have a mic i will give to this young lady. tell us who you are and where you are from. guest: from prescott, arizona. one thing i thought about what real journalism is meant to be is passion. you have to have the passion to go forward with the hard stores people don't want to hear and have the passion it strive above everything else. host: so is passion more important then truth? . that you can have both. you can be a passionate and truthful person. but as long as you are doing your job and doing what you are supposed to be, then it's -- it

is hard to describe. host: what is the process of thinking? let me ask you this as long as you are on your feet. what i'm really interested in is today if you had to writ a definition -- write a definition of journalism would you put the word "god" in the definition? guest: i would. host: how many of you in this ro room, put your hands up very would keep the word and mention of god in a definition of journalism. put them way up. how many would not? why don't you pass the mic to this young lady and tell us your name and where you are from. guest: i'm orange county, california. host: why would you not put the reference to god in?

guest: i personally don't believe that fully that god should like take a part in what we write in the newspapers in print or report. host: what has changed since 1906, 100 years later, that you think you would not do this? guest: i don't know. host: we will give the mic to that young lady. you are all young. guest: i'm from charlotte. it is because the mention of god ord or religion can offend some. that is why journalism is so controversial because people are so worried about offending other people through what they say that sometimes like they kind of put out.at they it is like questioning whether it is truth. host: we are running out of time and i want to get to as many as possible that had their hands

up. find somebody back there. i also want the audience to know that is watching at home that they can get this journalist creed on the internet. this is something you couldn't do years ago. all you have to do is type in walter williams and journalist creed and it comes up. there is also information on him. you can ask yourself the same questions on how much of this you would believe. guest: i think that journalism in its purest tprpl is telling the -- form is telling the truth straight facts and i think all journalists should -- well, i think in its purest form come what may i will tell the truth and straight facts and let performance decide what at the believe and don't believe for themselves. host: when do you trust a journali journalististic institution?

guest: i think you have it go with your gut and listen to different networks and different sorp sorpss -- differesource and ju for yourself and you have to judge and each person has to choose which network or institution or source they are to believe for themselves. host: least -- please hand the mic to the person behind you. guest: i'm from summsummerset. what stood out to me is respect and duty of the journalist to pay the story the respect it deserves. and don't leave opinion out but don't overly glamourize it or denounce what you are reporting on. host: wouldn't walter williams love to know we're talking about him and his creed is still on the wall of the national press

club? guest: i'm laura and we are talking about truth here and people are saying how they will believe whatever network they think agrees ms. with their views. but truth isn't always what you agree with. if you really want to find what is really the truth you need to listen to people with different opinions as well as people with your own opinion. host: how much of this do you do? guest: i try to do it as much as i can. i listen to different stations even if i don't agree with the opinion that they do have because maybe they are right and maybe i'm not. host: if i saw you 10 years from now what would you be doing? guest: ideally, international journalism of some kind. i'm also interested in the defend platforms of social media because that will be growing in the next couple of yours. host: let's get a mic to somebody else.

right over here. hand it so we have about tpf minutes left. guest: to go back to what you talked about about god in the paragraph that was in the creed, i don't think god should be mentioned in journalism. i personally grew up in a household where god was a sensitive subject because my parents had different views on god and i think that in today's society religion and god in has changed a lot from when the creed was written. you need to that include god because journalism reaches everybody and everybody has a different opinion. host: he basically says fear god as you do your work. guest: i don't think you should put that in there because i dong that you necessarily have to believe in god to be a journalist. you are saying fear god. to some people that doesn't mean anything. i'm not saying that is how i

feel but to some people who don't believe in god you are saying fear god and that doesn't mean anything. so, you are not -- it is not an accurate representation of all journalists. guest: i'm from kingston, north carolina. i believe that good journalism you must have the passion for it and of the passion the truth companies. opinion is not necessarily required to make a good story. i think you have to know how to your words in a way of respect so that the public can form their opinion on your writing. that is where the passion comes from and the truth follows. host: what are you going to do in 10 years? . i would to travel the world and tell stories. i believe that journalism is giving voice to those who have been silent. the news is probably the way to

build to get there so i would probably major in broadcast journalism. host: yes, ma'am. guest: i'm sarah johnson. i believe journalists are driven by the desire to share experiences not only about fact but opinion. the opinions give the human aspect to the whole nature of journalism. and in relation to the whole idea of putting god in the definition of journalism, we have freedom of religion and it can be seen as disrespectful to certain groups who have to face journalism and read certain pieces of news yet also have to hear opinions that are so opini opinionat opinionated. host: last comment. guest: i'm danielle olsen from huntington beach, california. after listening to this document i just like you said it was written 100 years ago and so many things have changed within

100 years. the fear of god and man and stuff about the whole religion thing and everyone has a different opinion on religion. and most of this conference is women. i thinking -- i think like having an opinion and being bias is important because people are saying state the facts, state the facts. but i feel like if it was just the facts everything would be the same. every paper would seem the same. i think having different opinions and different performance like put their own flavor in what they are writing. way of pens up a tpnew thinking for yourself. like most of kind of the gist of the story and make a judgment for yourself. but i think it is interesting it listen it other people's

opinions and kind of like look at it from their perspective. host: thank you. that went pretty goes. this this is the dean of admission of george mason university to have you here. this is the third year of this. the washington journalism and media conference. why don't you give yourself big hand and we will say goodbye. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2011] >> for transcripts or comments visit us at q-and-a.org.

>> on "washington journal" we will take questions and comments. after that republican presidential candidate and former louisiana governor buddy roemer has a news conference on by his sing efforts opponent and president obama in the 2012 presidential race. today president obama begins his tour through the midwest states speaking on u.s. jobs and the economy. we will take you to his first stop in cannon falls, minnesota. watch live coverage around 1:00 p.m. eastern on c-span. >> this morning on "washington journal" andrew fieldhouse previews the previous president obama's bus tour. former assistant treasury former assistant treasury secretary