Watch Bob Steele's DePauw Commencement remarks (QuickTime)Bob Steele, Nelson Poynter Scholar for Journalism Values and 1969 graduate of DePauw University spoke about journalism as he received an honorary degree from his alma mater during the May 20 graduation ceremony.
An exceprt from Steele's commencement remarks:
"There is no doubt that journalism has its flaws, journalists have their failures, and part of my role as a journalism ethicist at the Poynter Institute is to examine our craft, our profession, our business and our industry, and shine the light of scrutiny when we don't measure up. But it's just as important that we recognize how essential journalism is in our society and how often journalists do measure up very well," Steele continued. "For every shortcoming in journalism, there is a strong point in the unique role that journalism plays in our democracy -- helping citizens carry out the beauty of self-government. For every stumble by a journalist there are examples of remarkable reporting on significant issues and events in our society."
Read more from
Steele's speech and the 2007 DePauw commencement.
