Undocumented Journalist: Rachel Martin of ABC News

In an effort to expose unqualified journalists working in the field without documentation, I will identify whether or not a so-called 'professional' journalist actually holds a degree in journalism or communications.

Why is this important?

'Documented' journalists have been taught in college to cover the who, what, where, when, why, and how of news. But more importantly, they have also been taught the reasons why the framers of the Constitution protected the press from the government in the First Amendment, and the role the press plays as the Fourth Estate by providing final checks and balances over the political process in the United States. Thus, regardless of work experience, the most basic type of journalist malpractice can be measured through training, or lack thereof.

Simply put, it is not the job of the press to hold one ideology more or less accountable than another. It is the job of the press to objectively report the truth. In the age of Internet news, it is no longer the job of a journalist to decide what is news; it is the job of a journalist to be an educated, skilled professional.

Rachel Martin works for ABC News as a general assignment correspondent based out of Washington, D.C.

Martin joined ABC News from NPR, where she was a newscaster for Bryant Park Project.

An Idaho native, Martin was awarded a Master's degree in International Affairs from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs in 2003 and is a graduate of the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, with a degree in Politics and Government.

Martin is an undocumented journalist because she does not hold a degree in journalism or communications.