The lasting legacy of Daniel Pearl

Daniel Pearl practiced journalism in a day when journalism seemed not to be much appreciated. It would be only fitting, then, if his lasting legacy turned out to be enhanced public understanding of and appreciation for the critical role of journalists in free societies.

Let us hope that is the outcome. The man gave everything to make it so.

Much is said and written these days about the perceived demise of "real journalism." And there has been ample reason for these lamentations. In the days of media companies that too often seem to brandish as a badge of honor their cost-cutting and margin-boosting expertise, it is not surprising that journalists feel their craft is threatened. Nor is declining public perception of the media a salve for this festering sore within the journalistic psyche. Much research -- by the American Society of Newspaper Editors, the Freedom Forum and others through recent years -- has shown sharply reduced public fealty to the notion of a free and independent press.

But maybe Daniel Pearl's horrid death will remind all of us who care about journalism that no matter the economic environment, no matter the public criticism of journalistic performance, no matter the hostility of those we would cover in Pakistan, or in Colombia, or in downtown America, ways simply must be found to get the journalistic job done. Certainly it will remind us that the outputs of a brave and independent press are so important, so basic to the development and maintenance of free societies, that they are, yes, worth dying for.

Maybe the Wall Street Journal reporter's death also will serve as a reminder to the doom-and-gloomers among us that it might be best just to acknowledge the marketplace realities of our day. Maybe it will lead us to focus full energies on finding ways to do a better job, journalistically, even with reduced resources and with owners who may not be located in the next office or in the same town or the same state. If that happens, journalistic enterprises will flourish over time, the society will benefit and public support will come.

The core of the journalist's job, as Daniel Pearl reminded us with his life and his death, is to overcome whatever barriers may stand in the way of finding and reporting the truth. It's really as simple as that.