That may have been true in 1952 (I'm giving my age away here), but in today's society, that is no longer the case.

Words -- and images -- can definitely hurt a person, whether true or false.

Today, we live in a world awash in media. From radios to iPods and newspapers to the Internet, we face a flood of information, including much that is not true from a millions of people who all participate in a non-stop electronic media gabfest.

Finding the truth in any situation can be difficult.

Unfortunately, too many professional journalists do not challenge public figures, including politicians on statements they make on the topic du jour, whether it be financial bailouts or the cost of health care.

Sometimes, our failure to challenge public officials happens because we haven't done our homework. Sometimes, we're too deferential. Sometimes, we can't see the tree of truth through the forest of ideology Any way it happens, the public loses.

It is the duty of journalists to perform due diligence in seeking the truth in a world where skeptics and cynics cry out, "Whose truth?"

As partisanship becomes more shrill, we journalists find ourselves holding the middle against opposing political philosophies with little moderation from either side.

If this sounds like a no win position to you, it can be.

But that's also when I think we have done something right when both sides complain.