Class Discussion-Gate Keeping & Objectivity-Thoughts?

In class we spoke about the significance of gate keeping and credibility. Is gate keeping significant? Is objectivity important when it comes to the flow of information such as the news?

As I listened to my fellow classmates feelings about these questions I thought about my own feelings in my head. While I believe we should be able to write as we wish and have the freedom to hold our own opinion and public expression, I do believe there is a "good" way to keep a steady flow of information. I believe gate keepers such as editors etc. have a very important role when it comes to the release of news and information to the public. While I understand certain information sources like to spin their information to their benefits there is still a consistent flow of information. It's consistent because there is an editor or someone of that nature reading through the information and deciding what will and will not be placed in their publication.

I do agree with one of the critics in a short clip we watched. A hierarchy of knowledge of necessary. I like the idea that someone there is always someone higher in the pyramid (except the top point of course) that double checks what is going on in the organization. There does need to be someone to make a call on what should and should not be there.

Back to one of the original questions in regards to the importance of objectivity in the news. I do believe that it is important for some information to remain neutral. I think it is important for the audience to get the facts and then analyze the issue in the way they want whether it's posing their own questions and talking with friends or building on more research from that point forward.