JOURNALISM

 Established professions like medicine, engineering, law, teaching, etc have a

hoary(old) past. The practice of these professions required specialised educational

qualifications and training.

 Journalism has been and is an open profession requiring no such special

requirements earlier. Journalism is a modern profession, just a little over 200 years
old.

What is Journalism?

The activity or profession of writing for newspapers, magazines, or news

websites or preparing news to be broadcast. Journal is a French word derived from
the Latin term ‘diurnalis’ which means ‘daily’.
 It is a form of writing that tells people about things that truly happened, but they

might not have known already

RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISM:
 Not biased writing.

 Reports of what is only seen.

 No exaggeration or leaving out details.

 Not enhancing what is seen.

 Reveals all truth in the story with no edits.

 The world’s first newspaper was perhaps Acta Diurna – a handwritten bulletin put

up daily in the Forum in ancient Rome.

 In course of time, pamphlets, periodicals, news books, gazettes, tracts, reviews,

essays, etc., came to be called as newspapers. The authors of these were called
‘essayists’, ‘newswriters’ and later ‘journalists’. The Mughal rulers in India had
news letters read to them called “vaquianaves” in court, every morning.
 Journalism grew by leaps and bounds and has now blossomed in to a profession. It

has become a subject of study in universities.

Definitions of Journalism:

 “The profession of conducting or writing for public journals ”(Chamber’s

Dictionary)

 “Journalism is communication. It is the events of the day distilled into a few words,

sounds or pictures, processed by the mechanics of communication to satisfy the

human curiosity of a world that is always eager to know what is new.”(David
Wainwright)
 “Journalism is a contemporary report of the changing scene, intended to inform

readers of what is happening around them”(anonymous)

 “Journalism: The occupation of conducting a news medium, including

publishing, editing, writing or broadcasting”

These definitions give a broad idea of journalism and its various aspects.
Journalism means writing for journals. It is communication of information
through writing in newspapers, periodicals or magazines. Journalism is
basically the communication of news. A journal may consist of a single
newssheet meant for a factory or a small village, or it may be a national
newspaper, an international magazine or a journal for the whole world.

Journalism arouses people’s interest in day-to-day social and political

events. It reflects their feelings and thoughts. It informs, interprets, entertains
and educate the society at large.
IMPORTANCE OF JOURNALISM
 Inform people through news coverage.

 Influence and mould the public opinion.

 Amuse or entertain the readers.

 Serve and promote community welfare as a whole.

 The Journalist
 A journalist is one who takes up journalism as his profession. A journalist performs

two functions : (i) reporting the news; (ii) offering interpretation and opinion on
the news. A journalist may also write an account that is entertaining as well as
newsworthy. But a person who writes for entertainment only, such as television
script-writer, is not a journalist.
 The term ‘journalist’ include the reporters, writers and columnists who work for

newspapers, news agencies, magazines and periodicals devoted largely to public

affairs. The print media which these journalists serve are known collectively as the
‘Press’ .
 In a way the journalist is communicating the development of the day to an

audience. The article printed in the press constitute an important part of the history.
 The television/ radio journalist communicates the news of the contemporary

events by means of electronic devices instead of using paper and ink.in a way it
is more effective.
 The television/ radio journalist scores a point over his print media counterpart by

conveying hot news of any event anywhere in no time, with tremendous audio-
visual perception, to the entire world.

Qualifications of a Journalist:

1. A minimum basic qualification that enables a person to his ideas fluently in

writing. Management of most newspapers insist on university degrees.

2. A Diploma in Journalism is desirable. Some newspapers insist on it. Nowadays

many universities are offering graduate and post-graduate courses in journalism
as well as mass communication.

3. Good knowledge of shorthand and typewriting.

4. Good knowledge for English. Knowledge for Hindi and regional language will
be greatly helpful.

5. A good knowledge of grammar and the correct use of language.

6. A strong vocabulary and a desire to pick up new words in different subjects.

7. A flair for writing and a command over language.

8. A vast general knowledge about national and international affairs.

9. Voracious reading of famous books and important national and international

newspapers and journals to increase general knowledge and close
acquaintance with current affairs.

10. Acquisition of some knowledge of science, history, culture, civilisation and

other interesting facts of life.

11. Knowledge of the political affairs of the country and of general laws.
Qualities of a successful Journalist
 First and foremost, a journalist should have a nose for news. He must be able to

discern the chaff from the wheat.

 He must be able to assess the values of news. He must be an all-rounder. He must

have a fairly good knowledge of law, religion, science, politics...etc. He must acquire
a vast general knowledge.
 A journalist should have a thirst for learning. He must constantly read books,

newspaper, periodicals and magazines.

 To flourish in his profession, a journalist should be far-sighted and resourceful. He

must be tactful, diplomatic and alert.

 He must have the stamina to withstand the stress and strain of long hours of tedious

work.
 A journalist may have to travel a lot. He may have to visit interior and

dangerous areas. He has to put up all sort of inconveniences,

 In some places he may get a warm welcome, in some other places a harsh

treatment. He must take things in the proper stride and face problems with a
smile.
 He must be courageous enough to face challenges and hardships. He must dig

out news if he is doing investigative journalism.

 A good journalist should have a proper understanding with all kinds of people-

from the prime minister to a local leader.

 Journalism is a highly competitive profession today. We are now in an era of

computers. So, a modern journalist should therefore become acquainted with

these technologies.
 Above all a journalist should possess honesty, integrity and character, to win

the faith and respect of the people.

 Love of his profession and hard work will definitely bring tremendous success

to a journalist.
 Functions of the press as Journalistic
Medium
 The Press is the commonest and most widely used mass medium. It consist of

newspapers, periodicals and magazines.

 In former times the Press performed two main functions – information and

influence. But with many sided changes in all walks of life over the years, the
functions of the press has become manifold.

 There are four main categories.

Information

Influence

Entertainment

Advertising
Information: This is the main function of newspapers. They provide the
latest news of what happens in daily life in the world. They cover all sort of
news regarding government, politics, foreign affairs,...etc.

Influence: It is a vital function of the Press. The newspapers, periodicals,

and magazines influence the opinion of the readers through editorials, articles,
comments, criticism, cartoons and other special features.

Entertainment: This is the glamorous function of every type of the print

.
medium Newspapers as well as magazines with one another provide fun and

pleasure for the readers. It is done through all type of fiction like comic strips,
stories,etc.
It is also done through factual materials, sports news, cinema news, theatre reviews
and hobby columns which fill in people’s leisure. No newspaper or magazine
can attract readers and gain popularity without providing items of enjoyment to
the readers.

Advertising:

It is a commercial function. It is a major source of revenue to the newspaper.

Different types of advertisements serve different purposes and are beneficial to
different sections of people. Commercial advertising helps the business
community to promote the sale of their products. Obituary notices, government
notifications, employment and matrimonial advertisements, etc. Are of immense
use. Advertisements are also used to carry public service messages regarding
family care, child care, health, Aids, environmental protection, etc.
 Generally people have to depend upon the Press for the major share of news

information, because the radio and the television cannot carry as much as the
Press does. Information and influence contribute much to the success of the
largest general interest magazines.
 For example, much space of Reader’s Digest is devoted to articles and opinion

pieces, about government, foreign affairs, current morality issues, and education.
 Like a magnet, entertainment attracts large audiences. It plays a vital role in

selling newspapers and magazines in large numbers.

 Sports pages, cartoons, humour columns, cross-words, jokes, tits-bits, funny

anecdotes, romantic episodes and thrilling stories are essential to mass appeal
and survival of a newspaper or magazine nowadays.
 But entertainment poses a threat to good journalism by gaining prominence over

information and influence.

 Advertising is most important for keeping the press going. All sorts of

newspapers, magazines and publications depend much upon advertising

revenue. Advertising supplies useful marketing information to the public and
the business community as well.
 Sometimes certain newspapers and magazines perform other functions also.

They act as a friendly counsellors to their readers. They act as a champions of

the citizens. They expose the corruption prevailing in various fields.

Thus, the Press performs a host of functions, all oriented to public services.