As a result of recent cries of fake news, consumers of media have begun to comment on and question stories more often. While some of these comments can help publications or bring up topics that a news source has not covered, certain responses to stories address aspects that journalists cannot control.

The first amendment protects our rights to out-salt the Dead Sea. I use it every time I write a piece for this column. With the mention of my unnatural sodium chloride imbalance, I will try to return to the land of impartial commentary.

Channel 5 News (WEWS) Media Director Joe Donatelli mentioned that most of today’s readers reach out to WEWS through Facebook. He said that comments range from “thoughtful to completely thoughtless.” One can note ways that the topic has impacted a reader, or one may find further information that a reporter may not have included. The other end of the spectrum? “This is fake news. Sad.”

In my mind, both ends have importance. The first end shows that a journalist has written something that makes people actually care, and the other shows that people care enough to disagree.

As WEWS News Director Jeff Harris said, a journalist knows they are “doing the right thing if both sides are criticizing” him or her. A journalist must take each side into account and write an unbiased story. If that reporter did not cover enough of the story, he or she must respond and correct any mistakes made. In the past journalists just stood by their articles when the piece received criticism or commentary, but now they must also take into account opposing ideas to make the news they present as unbiased as possible.

Everyone needs to be open to change–journalists included. Life has no absolutes, and as a result one must “be open to advancing stories,” according to Harris. Without different points of view, journalism would quickly devolve into propaganda. My liberal heart palpitates at the thought!

My millennial mind hates what I am about to say: please, criticize us. (Readers should know that they must face me before they can touch the rest of the staff — abandon all hope ye who enter here!) Criticism tells journalists that they can do their jobs correctly. To use the words of Roman printer Vincenzo Miserendino, a journalist must “give the news impartially, without fear or favor, regardless of party, sect, or interests involved.” Come at me, my dudes. Help me improve my reporting skills. Help me, help you.

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