2010-8-12

Keep firmly in mind that journalism is the very opposite of colorless transparency.

Those who belong to journalism must continue thinking no less deeply than great scholars and write articles under their own names that make everyone take notice—articles that are important and thought-provoking even for people living in other parts of the world, as Newsweek does. That is what journalism is.

A journalist should sharpen their intellect in pursuit of the honor of being asked to write articles under their own name about every aspect of human life, not only about their own country.

You presumably believe that you are right, that you are authorities on democracy, and that you studied enough at the highest institutions of learning to justify that confidence. What you should be doing is surely not sitting in press clubs and taking down what officials tell you. Nor should it be asking prominent people who have no idea what they are talking about for their opinions.

A journalist writes with confidence about the truths they have reached through their own thinking.
Anyone without a mind of their own, a mind that keeps thinking, should not take up a pen.
They should not call themselves part of journalism.

Anyone incapable of thinking even more deeply than a great scholar should leave the profession at once.
Become a farmer, a fisher, or a livestock farmer. Work in sales or research at a private company, or compete with the world in business, to increase the nation’s wealth by even a single yen. That is what I think they should do.