Michaela’s Muses: The shield the Fourth Estate wears

When you hear about first responders, it is always about firefighters and police officers. They wear a badge or a shield, so to speak.

They are always thanked for their service, and that’s a good thing. The same thing goes for the first, second and third estates (executive, legislative and judicial branches) in our country.

But what about the fourth? I pride myself on being part of the Fourth Estate. If you are confused, it is because you never learned that the press (me and my colleagues) are the Fourth estate.

The press is here to keep the government in check, and the shield we wear allows us to do that.

My shield comes in a different shape and is not made of gold or silver. It is not an official seal and does not protect me from crime. It does not hang on my shirt or belt loop. It hangs around my neck to let you know who I am. It allows me to ask questions and take pictures. It allows me to write stories about catastrophes, heartache, joy, perseverance and success.

It allows me to help inform the people so that they may go forward and make decisions about important issues.

Freedom of the press is protected by the First Amendment. The press functions as a watchdog to better inform the governed people of the United States. My shield is the embodiment of that freedom.

As a member of the media and a local news associate, I have to say that local news has never been more important. What is happening in your front yard is important.

As said before, my shield can’t protect me from harm, whether it be mental or physical. No journalist is protected by their shield.

All I ask is that people remember that journalists are not machines that work 24/7 to produce the news. We are people, too.