Between the Lines

Every picture is worth a thousand words. This is a phrase that has been used over and over to the point that we're almost born with it as common knowledge. But no one has ever dared to question who's responsible for writing the thousand words. The right writer can make any picture, let alone situation, appear to be good or bad. Words that can be beautiful or ugly, captivating or sickening, inspirational or detrimental, all of which can send a clear and unwavering message to the beholder. Between the Lines of every story is an underlying  meaning that seems to hold more power than the original message, because the tone can set the entire story. Between every superhero and supervillain is a meddling journalist who puts their life on the line just to get a good story. Journalist are one of the few heroes that appear in both the comic book world and the real life world, but in neither are they recognized as heroes. Journalist are seen more as a nuisance than a hero. In the life of Superman, Lois Lane's nose for news stories always seems to get her into trouble, which obligates Superman to come rescue her.
However, Journalist have one of the strongest powers of any superhero in comics or in our everyday lives. Journalist have the power to sway the public's opinion by how they present the news. Even Superman disguised himself as Clark Kent with a pair of glasses and a tie in order to stay up to date with the current news that was so easily accessed by journalist. In the superhero world they'd be given the gift of mind control, powers that can be used for good but more often are used for evil. Mind control tempts it's beholder to joining the dark side, giving them a false sense of power. This is why so many people hate (As Lady Gaga would say) the "Papa-paparazzi!"
In our everyday world, journalist pushed closer towards joining the dark side. Why? Because we as the paying audience are not satisfied with the real everyday stories of truth, happiness, and justice. While people complain about all of the terrible things happening in the world, editors and producers watch the ratings drop when the wicked times are down and the happy times go up. Because of our materialistic world with the constant question, "What's in it for me?", journalist must dig for the dirty little secrets of the most honest people in order to earn their paycheck and excel in their career. In the movie The Devil Wears Prada, journalist Andy Sachs is almost laughed out of Runway when she mentions a story she wrote about news of the real world. Eventually, this article was read and approved by another editor, but unfortunately most people yawn at such news just as Emily and Miranda did.
I'm actually on the newspaper staff at my high school. Once I had to write an article over the school's new "Educational Foundation" Program. Sounds pretty boring doesn't it? I could have made the story bland and boring because I was upset I had been given this topic, instead I tried my best to make it intriguing and fascinating  I succeeded. While students usually buy the paper to see if they are in it, I received many compliments on the Educational Foundation Story.
Journalist have a power that is incomprehensible to all non-writers. If the journalist writes in a way that reflects their own point of view without directly stating their opinion, their opinion is still recognized through the lines of the story. Outside the lines is a story that tells the facts, whether they be true facts or false is up to the journalist's pen (or keyboards today). Inside the lines is definite truth, how the journalist wants us to think, what they want us to feel, what they want us to believe, and what they need us to see. A good journalist can make any story interesting, and he or she can do it without lying or manipulating the minds of the readers.
We used to live in a world of trust and honesty where people could leave their doors unlocked, leave their keys in their cars, and believe what they read. Today we live in a world where we can't even trust our closest friends let alone the stranger who claims to be homeless, we have multiple locks on our cars, houses, and even phones, and nobody believes anything they read no matter how many times they read it or even if they see it for themselves. Why have we allowed our world to become so dark and deformed? I challenge you journalist, why don't we try to turn this world around for the better? I for one would like to not forget another password or loose another set of keys. I have had serious trust problems my entire life that have only gotten worse as I've gotten older. I don't want to live in my invisible box my entire life, it's very lonely and I want to let someone in without getting hurt, again. With my fellow writers and journalist we have the power to change that. We have the power to change the mindset of the people from one of negativity and dishonesty to positivity and honesty. So what do you say? Let's pull out our laptops, pens, and notepads of justice and seek out the light of hope at the end of this long dark tunnel. As a wise philosopher once said, "With great power, comes great responsibility." Peter Parker's Uncle Ben was absolutely correct when he said this. Words are the most invaluable source of power available, which is why we should take responsibility of not only the words we speak and write, but also of the words that go unspoken Between the Lines. For these words are by far the most powerful.