United States historian Howard Zinn said the role of the artist is to "transcend the madness of the world." I think that applies to a journalist as well. What good is it to chronicle the rampant corruption of governments and humanity's decline if we are not also attempting to somehow help people overwhelmed by hopelessness find a path toward a hopeful future?

In a mad world, publishing the truth is brave. Acting on that truth is even more revolutionary. And if the truth really can set us free, then on some level it must be liberating to be part of disseminating the truth. Spreading the truth gives a journalist a noble purpose, along with the will to keep fighting injustice.