By Ellie Williams Updated June 29, 2018
Journalists educate the public about events and issues and how they affect their lives. They spend much of their time interviewing expert sources, searching public records and other sources for information, and sometimes visiting the scene where a crime or other newsworthy occurrence took place. After they've thoroughly researched the subject, they use what they uncovered to write an article or create a piece for radio, television or the internet.
Before journalists can write about a subject, they must first gather information. They usually conduct several interviews with people involved in or having knowledge of the subject. They may also go to the scene of an event, such as a crime or an accident, to interview witnessees or law enforcement officers and to document what they see. In addition, they often search public records or other databases to find information and statistics to back up their stories. Researching a story is often similar to conducting an investigation, and journalists must sometimes ask difficult questions. They may have to invest a lot of time tracking down information and people relevant to the story.
Even though a news article bears a single journalist's byline, the process requires significant collaboration. How good a journalist's story is often depends on how adept he is at communicating and working with others. For example, journalists take instruction from their editors regarding what angle to approach when writing a story, how long the story should be and whom to interview. They also need strong people and communication skills so they can persuade sources to talk to them. Journalists frequently approach people they don't know, whether when reporting from the scene or calling to request an interview. If they're uncomfortable around strangers, they'll make others uncomfortable as well, making it less likely that people will want to be interviewed.
In addition to serving the public interest, journalists must also follow the law, especially regarding the confidentiality and privacy of the people they interview or write about. For example, while journalists often tape record their interviews to ensure accuracy, federal and state laws generally make it illegal to record a conversation without the permission of the other party. In this case, journalists must tell their sources they're recording the interview before it begins. Journalists must also understand the laws regarding libel and invasion of privacy. If a journalist is careless when reporting criminal allegations against a person, for example, he could face a defamation lawsuit if the accusations are proved untrue.
Some aspects of a journalist's job are not subject to any kind of law but are just as important. Journalists must strive to present an accurate, well-balanced explanation of the stories they cover. For example, they have an obligation to present all sides of an issue, and to conduct extensive research and talk to several sources knowledgeable about the subject. If they present only popular opinion, or if they conduct minimal research without fully exploring the subject, they don't give readers and viewers the information they need to understand the implications of the event or issue. Journalists must also be honest with the people they interview, telling them before talking to them what the article is about and that they plan to quote them in the piece.
The public expects and deserves prompt, accurate and objective information. Professional newspaper journalists dedicate their life to reporting the news no matter what the personal risk. For instance, newspaper journalists may rush to the scene of an ongoing hostage siege, school shootings or natural disaster to interview police and witnesses. If you are thinking about a journalism career, ask yourself if you have the qualities of courage, integrity and fairness. You also need superior written, verbal and interpersonal skills to excel as a newspaper journalist.
A solid ethical core characterizes a good journalist. Fairness, objectivity and honesty matter when reporting everything from local referendums and proposed state tax increases to presidential elections. Professional journalists abhor fake news based on rumor, innuendo and unverifiable anonymous tips. Reporters should only share opinions in newspaper editorial pieces. They step aside if covering that story would be a conflict of interest, such as writing a feature article about a family member’s new bistro.
Good journalists push themselves to dig deeper and ask tough questions. They put personal feelings aside to boldly unearth the truth about newsworthy people, places and events. Courage is vital to investigating what is happening at the scene. They are not satisfied making phone calls from a comfortable desk in the newsroom when covering major happenings. For example, newspaper journalists may travel to the scene of dangerous floodwaters in their community and talk to volunteers who are helping sandbag a faltering dam.
Along with impeccable character, newspaper journalists must be skilled communicators to interview sources and write in-depth stories. Unlike radio, television or online journalists, they go far beyond sound bytes and superficial coverage of a situation. Newspaper journalists include background information and needed detail to give context to a more nuanced understanding of the issue by the reader. Typically, journalists have a bachelor’s degree in communication or journalism and relevant undergraduate experience, such as writing for their college newspaper. You must be highly proficient in English grammar, technical writing and proper attribution of sources to be a good newspaper journalist and not lose your job.
As part of their job, newspaper journalists follow and use social media appropriately to provide immediate and transparent coverage of happening events. They know how to use the internet to research stories and access public records when engaging in investigative journalism. Technology, such as Facebook and LinkedIn help them contact potential sources to request information or an interview. They also maximize use of technology to instantly inform the public about matters that may directly affect their health and safety, such as a food recall.
Good newspaper journalists have an analytical mind and base stories on evidence and facts, not emotion. They are astute observers and instinctively sense when there is much more to a story than what is being shared at a news conference, for example. Critical thinking skills are crucial when weighing conflicting accounts of an incident and assessing the credibility of sources. They exercise sound judgment when blogging or writing yet unverified information on the newspaper’s website during a breaking story. Even when faced with looming deadlines, good newspaper journalists take time to get a balanced accounting of the subject.
Journalism: writing newspapers, and magazines and writing and posting stories on news websites. It’s all about letting the world know about what is going on in the world. “Journalism is what people want to know… it’s taking pictures and sharing news,” said Hailey Gorzell, a 7th grader at Dobie Jr. High. Journalism is very important in our world. It was important in the past and it is still very important now.
According to the American Press Institute website, “the purpose and importance of journalism is to inform society with the information they need to live their lives.Information that they need to make decisions about different things.”
There are many places where people can find information and news. News is shared on many different things like the radio, television, social media, news websites and newspapers.
Without journalism, the world would be ignorant. Journalism is important because it gives current and relevant information and news to the public. Benjamin Franklin said, “Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by judging the freeness of speech.”
Coach Currie, an 8th grade social studies teacher and football coach at Dobie Jr. High, said, “Journalism is important because it spreads truth to people; they need to know things.”
Mrs. Preyor-Johnson, a journalism teacher at Dobie Jr. High, used to work as a full time journalist. She said, “Journalism is essential to our freedom.”
The history of journalism is a complex thing. The first form of journalism was the newspaper. It progressed over time and became more digital. There have been key players in the first signs of journalism, like Nelly Bly and Johannes Gutenberg. “Journalism is basically a document so you can see what happened in the past and know how to prevent certain things from happening again,” said Currie.
Over the years, journalism has changed a lot. Now a lot of journalism is digital. There’s television, radio, computers and phones, and there is social media. With people nowadays, it’s important to know everything
that is happening. And it has com to the point that basically everyone is a journalist nowadays. “Journalism is important now because there’s so many more people and so much more happening, so you need it to spread more news to people,” said Currie.
Journalism used to be just newspapers, but now there’s more. There’s television with news channels like Fox, CNN, CBS, and local ones, too. There’s radio stations, social media, and the Internet in general. “Some examples of journalism to me are CNN, Fox, different radio stations, TV, newspapers, and people telling about really important things,” said Carson Wolbert, an 8th grader at Dobie Jr. High.
Resources:
//ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/choosingsources/chapter/news-as-a-source/
//www.americanpressinstitute.org/journalism-essentials/what-is-journalism/purpose-journalism/
//thewellesleynews.com/2015/11/18/everyone-is-a-journalist-the-truth-of-social-media/