By Jim M.
The fourth estate refers to the press. The term was coined in the 18th century; the first estate was the clergy, the second estate was the nobles, the third estate was the commoners, and the press gallery was the fourth estate.
The fourth estate has been called the most important of them all. The press has tremendous influence on the political and cultural aspects of the world. Journalists are protectors of democracy and the voice of the people.
I discovered journalism a year and a half ago when I began writing for The Family Times. I am now graduating from The Family Foundation School, and subsequently leaving The Times.
I intend to follow my passion for journalism and join the fourth estate. I am determined to work for a local paper and write about important issues in my community.
I feel that my journalism can affect the small town that I live in. Hopefully, my local paper will publish the writings of a seventeen-year-old.
I intend to be a moral and uplifting member of the fourth estate. I want to write about people and situations that readers would not normally be aware of. Poverty, homelessness and drug abuse are all issues in my community. If these issues are given a little more publicity, then some change could be made.
I think that an important part of the fourth estate is speaking up for those that society deems unimportant.” The press is responsible for defending democracy. This means defending all people, and I want to be there to help.
