Is the distinction between "serious" and "popular" press valid? How do TV news, the internet, radio news and newspapers function within popular culture? What is (and what is not) good journalism?
Is there a difference between journalism, political commentators and bloggers?
All these add to the question what is a journalist? And are there central core of activities?
This is what we have been looking at during the first few weeks of this course. I believe that the journalist is constantly evolving and that their activities would depend upon what they were reporting, their goals and objectives. As the text states “journalists who believe their function is to tell the truth…might be expected to act in a different manner to those whose objective is so strengthen society, or work for public benefit” (Tapsall, S. & Varley, C. 2008;3).
MEAA, 1999, describes journalists as people who “describe society to itself. They convey information, ideas and opinions. They search, disclose, record, question, entertain, comment and remember. They inform citizens and animate democracy. They give a practical form of freedom of expression. They scrutinise power, but also exercise it, and should be responsible and accountable” (in Tapsall, S. & Varley, C. 2008;5).
A journalist therefore needs certain attributes, including communication skills; a questioning, curious and inquisitive mind; writing abilities; news sense; knowledge of technology; listening skills; general knowledge; empathy, patience and understanding; language and interviewing skills (Tapsall, S. & Varley, C. 2008;10).
Anyone can ultimately possess these skills and as was mentioned in The Future of Journalism Summit, with the spread of technology and the tools used in the media industry, a new era of media production and consumption has begun and the “people formally known as the audience” have the capacity to comment and anyone can act as a journalist, as long as they have an authority on the matter.
So then what is the future of the journalist?
And as it was said in The Future of Journalism Summit, are all journalism students traditionalists and conservative? Doesn’t the fact that we have to use the internet and blog for this course prove that we do take advantage of the technologies at hand?
I put it to you, are we traditionalist and conservative?
3 comments:
I think it is important to learn about blogging even if we do not agree with citizen journalism. The media is changing, and the rapid development of technology means that it will continue to do so, therefore as journalists in training it is vital that we learn not only about traditional journalism but also about the way the media may be heading in the future.
Good question. On the whole, I think we (as University students) are predominately traditional and conservative. Although we probably have more of an ability and sense to engage with new technologies than previous generations.
The main reason I think we are predominately traditional and conservative is because most of us (big generalisation) will be looking for work in traditional media outlets. This is not to say that people going into traditional media outlets can not be outgoing or break from tradition within those outlets.
I think this generation has a heightened awareness of the rapidly changing media world and more of an understanding of it, but in what way and to what extent they embrace and incorporate it into media tomorrow (when we eventually get jobs), I am unsure.
Do you think that students are traditionalists and conservative? Why?
Do you think this should change? Why? How?
Hey Josh,
I think you are asking some very tough questions.
I think that most people when they choose to study journalism, the first thing they think is "I'm going to learn about newspaper articles" or possibly they might stretch it to magazines or tv or radio and I agree with you, I think it is because these are the places we'll be looking for work. I know I personally do not see the internet as a way of making a living or even something that I need a degree in to be able to do, as it is so accessible. I think that a lot of people probably feel the same.
But in response to your change questions, I have no idea. I think that yes with the direction things are heading in that it probably should change, but how is another matter that we are just going to have to wait and watch for :)
Thanks for commenting!
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