To go by today s critics of media bias who have created a virtual cottage industry American journalism has reached a nadir, yet with all its well-documented faults, journalism is vital to the health of our democracy, the glue of information that holds this complex nation together. This book shows the most important roles that journalism plays in the world s oldest democracy. Two seasoned educators and practitioners of journalism have assembled a team of writers who look beyond the critics to show that there is much to be praised about the state of American journalism today. What good is journalism? This book spells out the answer and provides today s readers-and tomorrow s journalists-a fresh perspective on the press to remind us all where we would be without it.