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The Fourth Estate

© Donna L. Quesinberry

The man of letters--he is the Fourth Estate. We (the men and women who wield the pen through keystrokes) are the men and women of letters, or today's Fourth Estate. According to Carlyle, we are guardians of the democracy, defenders of the public's interest, and we hold as great an influence as democracy itself when our communicative works sway public interests. After all isn't our writing about communicating well enough to reach the public and their interests? You say, "why certainly."

Who of us hasn't written at least one letter to the local newspaper, or governmental official, and then observed responsiveness. Clearly we can see the outcome of "just one letter" and its publication. Communication in written text achieves. Coupled with audience it sways. This medium is clearly a responsibility. For e-zine publicists the artful medium of Internet represents potential to achieve some radical Fourth Estate purity and it is fun to boot.

Presidential nominee McCain, as journalism's candidate who did not attain the goal of presidency, provided a reality check to the Fourth Estate Guardians (FEG's). Men and women of letters understand now that they can achieve power thresholds. Further reflection on politics (and FEG's influence) provides a sense of clout mass media in particular maintains. As with McCain's nominee, the recent elective process for U.S. Presidency and journalist's decries in hopes of reporting the earliest results, clearly exhibited Fourth Estate potential threshold of effect. Florida's twelfth hour vote "in-decision" and media's declaration, "Al Gore has won Florida," (when he hadn't won)resulted in voters listening to the more provincial Fourth Estate mechanisms (National Press Club members). Voters left their polling booths. An aftermath of national mayhem was consequential.

Every institution involved with theorizing the elective process of the United States will be providing esteemed studies in this, the new decade. Each theory shared will project what our country can do to prevent another year 2000 election. Media will present these theories on the populist through marketed presentations. What will results of their future storylines be?

When commentators raced to inform John and Jane Q. Citizen of the presidential winner in Florida; did their inaccuracy, in fact, amend the outcome of the presidential election? Did the Fourth Estate guard the democracy and defend the public interest? Or, did they market another conclusion? Is there a supreme responsibility men and women of letters should answer to? If so, how is the Fourth Estate to be held accountable?

D. Quesinberry, Author	Book of Honors	Guardian	Newspaper	Jack London
Robert Louis Stevenson's desk

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