Journalism Goes Places Politics Cannot

Yesterday, CNN.com reported that North Korea, a part of President Bush's "axis of evil," was in the midst of dismantling a nuclear facility they had previously agreed to demolish. This itself is important news, but what is particularly interesting is the Editor's note at the top of the story. 

"CNN was one of only two U.S. news organizations at the facility"

It  shows the reach news and journalism has across the globe, getting places politicians and global leaders may not be able to.

It also brings to mind 2003 when Dan Rather interviewed Saddam Hussein for a 60 Minutes II. Rather sat across the table from Hussein and conducted the interview through translators - Hussein's first interview with an American in a decade.

Vladimir Putin was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year for 2007, and as a part of the story he allowed himself to be interviewed. Video of the interview can be seen here.

All these journalistic interactions between world leaders and global opponents of the U.S. let people see them and their views on us without having them sifted through our own governmental filters. And I think the neutrality journalism offers to people and countries like these can help us all understand each other a little better.