Reading Response: Book/Jose Antonio Vargas Story

          The ethics chapter in News Reporting very insightful. I think one of the main problems behind society’s negative perception of journalists is that anyone can try to act like a journalist today. Because of all our online resources and ways of communicating, a lot of time those reading don’t realize they may not be getting information from a real reporter. This also goes along with the problem of not having licensed journalists. People can try and act like a journalist and write things for the public to see, and “only the public, by patronizing specific news outlets, decides whose writing is valuable” (468). I also thought this section was interesting in the chapter because I never realized all the different laws that are pushed in the favor of journalists, and I thought that was motivating.  

         The Jose Antonio Vargas story was very moving, and the writing made it even better. I enjoyed how he sectioned off parts to explain each of his challenges as he tried to fit into the United States. The story was also quite an eye-opener. You hear of all these instances where illegal immigrants are being deported, but I never really think about what the circumstances might be on the ends of those being deported. It really is scary, and although his mother was trying to give him a better future, it was still illegal.

            The story really shows the complicated issues with immigration and immigration laws. I loved the part where he explains why he realized he wanted to be a journalist, and it was because it was his open door of acceptance and what made him feel like an actual part of the U.S. I was also surprised of all the support he found along the way through his life of trying to achieve. So many people saw his potential, and rather than letting him fail, they helped him get around the laws. I couldn’t believe people would risk so much, but it just shows how immigration laws don’t work in people like Jose’s favor. I also really enjoyed reading the comments at the end of the story. He gained more supporters after telling the public the truth.