Journalism

In simple terms, the definition of journalism would typically revolve around a journalist’s role in the research and publication of information deemed to be ‘news’. However this is such a basic description, merely scratching the surface of the practical happenings of the journalistic world and I feel there are three other, more important aspects of journalism. To me, journalism occupies four main purposes. These include research and collation, an informative guide, analysis, and of course, that of a straight news source.

As a researcher, a journalist must have superior and efficient skills. A story or lead is nothing without proper and ethical research to back it up. Through relevant facts, interviewees and background, a story is able to go through a metamorphosis from a bare bones retelling of the facts to an informative and insightful story and source. These research skills are also vital when one may have only a night or a few hours before a story must be finalised and published to ensure information is timely and relevant for the public. Each story a journalist published should be properly researched and every statement of fact backed up by this ethical research to protect from defamation claims or damage to a journalists reputation which can be career ruining in the worst of circumstances. A journalist must also pay mind to avoid contempt, from which journalists have been prosecuted for in the past. (Kovach & Rosenstiel, 2007, p. 48) The ability to collate and compound this research into a flowing and not too information heavy source, whilst making it interesting, accessible and understood to all facets of society is a very particular skill one must grasp in becoming a journalist. This role of a researcher and collator is particularly important to the general public as whilst a topic may be highly relevant to a reader, they may not have the time or capacity to dedicate themselves to research. An elderly pensioner for example may not have the ability to...