What is Journalism?

             Whether it is through printed text, television, radio, or other mediums, people have tried to express their feelings to the world throughout time. The great advances in technology and broadening forms of social media have allowed nearly all people of the world to express their views through the cheap medium of the internet. Social Media outlets such as blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube allow individuals to express their views to nearly every home in the world. This changes journalism in that now anyone can be a journalist. A blogger that has not had the training that traditional can now have their words reach just as many people if not more. Edward R. Murrow may be the epitome of journalism to some, and I have enjoyed a quote that he once said, “Just because your voice reaches halfway around the world doesn't mean you are wiser than when it reached only to the end of the bar.” Journalism is the presentation or description of facts, but as more and more citizens become authors through technological mediums, this dedication to the traditional role of a journalist will change.  

            Journalism is a job held with high responsibility. Journalists are often in the public view and must gain the trust of their viewers to be successful. A broadcaster is seen on television every night and print journalists have their words printed every day. For these reasons, the wrong word written or a bad television report can ruin the reputation and professionalism of a journalist. It is interesting that in society that it takes years to build a strong reputation, yet a reputation can be destroyed very easily. This causes journalists to be very responsible in what they do and hold a great deal of professionalism compared to other vocations. 

As mentioned, the ability to reach the mass public increases with the advances of technology. It is the responsibility of journalists to not only report what is going on, but to present it in a way that minimizes bias and the opinion of the journalist. It is easy when you write, say, or express something to fill it with the opinions or beliefs that you hold. It is the responsibility of a journalist to present material as closely and accurately as possible so people (through multiple mediums) can learn and form opinions for themselves.

A potential problem that is growing in the world of journalism is that technology may drive down its reputation. As journalists hold the responsibility to report and present the facts, bloggers and other people who are filling the net may change journalism. If you look at most informal blogs, they are not presenting facts, it is instead filled with opinions or radical ideas to get more people to view their blogs or view their program. Many people today are not looking for a portrayal of the facts but instead look for the newest leaked news or gossip. These types of flashy stories cause many untraditional journalists to print stories that are void of total truths. It will be interesting in the future to see if traditional journalists can keep up by presenting facts or if they will need to distance themselves from the traditional role of a journalist.

It is the role of a journalist to present the facts and leave opinions out of their presentation as best as they can. As the Murrow quote points out, just because your face is on the news or your voice is on the radio, it does not mean that you are better or know more than anyone else, but the exposure gives a journalist the responsibility to do their best every night. That is a huge responsibility, but that is what makes journalism such a great thing. Every journalist has the opportunity to change and share themselves with the entire world.