Chet Edwards Speech Story.

(WACO, Texas)— Former Texas Congressman Chet Edwards spoke to Baylor University journalism students Oct. 20 about the role of journalism in democratic societies.

“How important is journalism to our democracy?” Edwards said. “I can answer that in two words— absolutely essential.”

Edwards said the “stove piping” of news is what is causing strict division in political parties. However, he said the purpose political journalism in democratic societies is to hold leaders accountable.

“I was there during the Nixon impeachment trials,” Edwards said. “Who brought him down? Essentially, it was two 20-year-old journalists...And in writing, and in holding President Nixon accountable, they helped support the fundamental American constitutional principle— that no person is above the law in our nation.”

Edwards said the key to having a decent with relationship with journalists as a politician is to be straightforward.

“You know, trust is like an oak tree,” Edwards said. “It can take a hundred years to grow fully, mature a beautiful oak tree— we’ve got a lot of them here in Waco. But if somebody cuts it down, that oak tree doesn’t come back the next year or even the next decade.”

According to Congress.gov, Edwards served the 11th and 17th Congressional District from 1991 until 2010. He reflected on the changes in journalism since he began running for Senate at the age of 25, only two years after undergraduate school.

“Basically, ABC, NBC, and CBS were the main source of political news, at least with television,” Edwards said. “Those three networks had to appeal to liberals, conservatives, democrats, republicans. Fast forward today, where we have literally dozens and dozens and dozens of cable networks that cover political news.”

Journalism department lecturer and audience member Amber Adamson said, because of the many news outlets, society consumes media that reinforces their beliefs.

“I think as smart media consumers you have to understand where each news outlet is coming from and you have to just consume a variety,” Adamson said. “Just like if you want to be healthy you have to fill your plate with veggies and fruits... You also have to fill your media diet with a little bit from one side and a little bit from the other side, and a little bit of a podcast and a little bit of a broadcast in order to get a better variety in your media diet and have a better, well rounded view.”

Adamson said she does not have hope that down the middle journalism will make a comeback in our country, but Edwards said the goal is for our generation to make a more perfect union.

“We’re an imperfect country, but we’ve been on a journey to expand our freedoms,” Edwards said. “I would plead with you— wether you’re conservative or liberal doesn’t matter to me, what party you belong to doesn’t matter to me, but please don’t give up on our democracy.”