One recent day at work as I was ferreting out the useful faxes from the chaff, I came across a release from John Doe & Associates, or some similar company, that would hardly be remarkable on its own. However, the company identified itself as a "Reputation Management" firm which, like many a blood-and-gore filled local newscast and "Bridge to the 21st Century" speech, got me thinking about the level to which communication often sinks to in these days leading up to my May graduation. It wasn't always this way. The communication and journalism skills I picked up in my early studies prepared me for much more, as did my time in high school, when all I feared was the censoring of taglines that accompanied pictures of our principal. I entered Boston University and pursued internships with the belief that the truth was indeed out there, and that people would work with me to find it. Yet, increasingly, the companies like John Doe & Associates, as well the individuals and organizations I deal with, seem more concerned with shaping people's perceptions, than projecting reality to them. This isn't always harmful, of course (after all, my favorite movie is Aliens, and 56 viewings later, I still don't believe Sigourney Weaver ever really traveled to LV426). But at the same time, we should demand more from those who sell, tell and teach us things. How does all of this relate to the Massachusetts Press Association? First, the organization exists to foster involved community journalism and storytelling that focuses on going straight to foster involved community journalism and storytelling that focuses on going straight to the source, rather than interviewing subjects with a public relations specialist on speakerphone or an experienced spin doctor calling back with "clarifications". Second, the group's campaign this year is to ensure police departments comply with open records laws, a noble step considering the aforementioned trend toward obfuscation rather than information. Lastly, Mass Press has proven its dedication to furthering journalism education through its scholarship program and superior reporting through its awards distribution. As far as journalism on the whole is concerned in fact, what Mass Press is doing is what we all should be, promoting the truth, and an open approach to the dissemination of information. It may not seem that important that more of the news consumers are receiving is filtered through several levels before it reaches them, but that process invariably leads to delays at best, and inaccuracies at worst. Surely that is the biggest obstacle journalists and communicators face today, because most people wouldn't confuse a "reputation manager" or someone whose job it is to make people believe miscreants are improving the traits or actions that led to their bad image, with someone actually interested in helping them do so.