All of the major breakthroughs that have occurred throughout history due to intelligent independent bloggers/journalists who wrote for the sake of the people and hard-hitting journalism — Salam Pax and his Invasion of Iraq posts, the posts regarding the July 7 London bombings, posts about the news occurring and the lists of survivors of 9/11, etc. — have given us a closer, in-depth view of these events than any mainstream media outlet would.

After reading a lot of blogs recently, I did notice that although this type of news contains a little bit more bias than other news outlets, the perspective is articulate and sides with that of the people. The Salam Pax blog contained posts about what was happening on the other side during the war — during the bombing, from a ground-view. He was part of the armed forces but he was able to give intel and insight that no journalist had access to. He is a perfect example as to why independent bloggers are important to the world of journalism, whether mainstream media agrees with it or not. The people have their opinions and it is a journalist's job to listen and inform, not correct.

The significance of George Seldes begs the question of what the true purpose of journalism is. Fortunately, Seldes was someone who knew that answer. He used journalism as a means of informing the public, especially in times of injustice, and upholding all governments — even those of foreign countries — to a high standard. He held them accountable for the moves they made and the words they said. Unfortunately, journalism today becomes caught up in more paparazzi-style, tabloid news, and journalists begin to write for the outlet, not the pubic. As a journalist, it is our duty to be the tie between the government and the peoples, as well as be the eyes and ears of all things important for those who may not have any means of acquiring such information. Seldes knew he did not want to work for an outlet, simply rewarded with a check at the end of the pay cycle. He was there for the people and created his own independent media outlet to prove it. Unfortunately, people today are also blind to the inaccuracies of some (maybe most) mainstream media outlets, but refuse to acknowledge that there is an objective side to every argument.

The sad truth about "a woman's right to her own body," is that it is still an ongoing issue, as if a century of fighting hasn't been enough time to create a solid, substantial case for acquiring the rights to woman herself. Since 1916, when Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control clinic, the continuous fight for simple fundamental rights — cheaper "luxury items," more accessibility to reproductive health professionals, the defunding of those health care professionals who are affordable, the protection of women and their bodies , etc. — has continued in full force. But why? Why is it so difficult for the government to remove themselves from this position of power over women?

Unfortunately, even though it is already 2017, women still struggle with an increased risk of being in poverty; education that they can't afford but need because of the wage gap that still exists; are more likely to be victims of domestic violence; don't have much of a voice in politics (yet the government controls a majority of their lives); and still encounter injustice in rape cases. Sadly, with the current government in place, I don't see any of this changing either. With the lack of support for affordable health care and non-for-profit organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, the voices of women need not to not give up, but raise the volume.