Truth, Sources, and Watchdogs

By Jessica De Vivo

Walking in the shoes of an on-the-go journalist in New York City is filled with excitement and suspense, as can be seen in Jo Kadlecek’s third novel in The Lightfoot Trilogy, A Minute Before Friday. Jonna Lightfoot MacLaughlin is an ambitious reporter devoted to the truth and standing up for what is right. As a reporter, she pushes to get her way and uncover the facts when she smells something fishy in the air. This may cause some to think of her as too assertive, however, her personality comes in handy with her reporting. MacLaughlin is determined to cover a concealed story concerning fraud at Regal University, even when her editor, Skip Gravely, wishes otherwise. In her mind, the truth is always worth fighting for.

Throughout her reporting and uncovering of the truth, one sees many examples of the journalism elements, derived from Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel’s, The Elements of Journalism. Not only is MacLaughlin devoted to the truth, but, in so doing, she verifies her research and goes to various sources to get the facts straight. Much of the novel focuses on the watchdog principle in that MacLaughlin tries to hold the institution of Regal accountable for its actions. In a discussion with Gravely, she tells him that the people of Regal should be held responsible “Because they didn’t do what they were supposed to” (Kadlecek 249). In MacLaughlin’s eyes, it is her duty to present the truth and hold people and institutions responsible.