Form and Function

In this class we've talked a lot about how to write a story correctly and interestingly. We've talked much less about why we're writing the story to begin with. Obviously there are a lot of reasons for that. But it got me wondering about what others motivations were. Journalists can function as watchdogs, help build community, expose corruption, inform, entertain, put things into perspective, and so on and so forth. And of course there's always the more selfish reasons too. So, why do you do it?