JOURNALISM IS NOT A PROFESSION

NAME: OWUSU AFRIYIE JEFFERSON

INDEX NUMBER:BACS27111

COURSE:INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM

ASSIGNMENT: JOURNALISM IS NOT A PROFESSION. DISCUSS.

 

Journalism generally can be defines as the practice where journalists go gathering information, analyzing and disseminating news and information to the public. It involves the process of researching, reporting, writing, editing and presenting news stories, across various media platforms relevant to the general public. Scholars and other renowned journalists have voiced their views on journalism being a profession or not to make a point as follows;

Thomas Hanitzch states that journalism is not a profession in the traditional sense because it lacks clear and universally accepted criteria for entry, practice and ethical standards. He suggests that journalism is better understood as a “semi-profession’’ due to its ambiguous status and the diversity of backgrounds and qualifications among practitioners. This doesn’t dispute the fact that journalists would have to undergo formal training to become good and legal journalists in their field of work.

Hargreaves in his book “Journalism- Truth or Dare” quotes that journalism is not a profession due to its lack of systematic training, certification and ethical standards comparable to ethical standards law or medicine. Well renowned journalists known over the years went through formalized education to become the journalists they are. There are a code of ethics that govern journalists in order not to compromise their objectivity and integrity. It therefore contracts to the analogy that journalism isn’t a profession.

The author of “The Media in Britain”, Kayode Sayinka asserts that journalism does not require extensive formal education, standardized training or strict licensing. Instead, journalism is more of a trade where individuals often enter the field through practical experience rather than formal qualification. The practical aspect of journalism is as vital as the theoretical aspect because the journalist would need both qualifications to balance their field of work.

As the fourth estate of the realm, the use of the key elements of journalism has lost its relevance. Brian McNair states that journalism lays claims to truthfulness and accuracy. Journalists are no more objective because they do not use the key elements of journalism such as truthfulness, actuality, accuracy etc. This has made journalism lost its professionalism.

Additionally, Sydne, Dan says and I quote “Anyone with a platform and access to the printing press could easily call themselves a journalist”. The use of social media has more or less made journalism lost its substantiality because the masses no longer go in for truth on issues. They no longer watch or listen to the news on television or radio since information could easily be found on social media. Nevertheless, there is a chance for journalists to utilize the same platform to cast the right news and go deep on vital issues on areas such as politics, sports and entertainment. This is to show in some perspective that journalism isn’t a profession.

William A. Hachten, the author of The Trouble of Journalism: “A Critical look at What’s Right and Wrong with the Press” has the perception that journalism operates more as a trade where practitioners learn on the job rather than through formal education and where economic factors often dictate editorial decisions. Economic factors such as poverty influence the hungry journalist to edit stories to please the palm greaser.i.e the financially stable personality for example, politicians and celebrities. That is why it is important as a journalist to possess professional integrity and restrain from the acceptance of inducement in order to ensure cleanness and fairness in the dispatch of duties.

Lastly, Kelly McBride and Tom Rosenstein view journalism as a discipline rooted in principles such as accuracy, fairness, and independence, but one that does not require specific credentials or qualifications to practice. As one of the key elements of journalism, accuracy, fairness and independence proves the professionality of journalism so therefore invigorating the potency of journalism.

To sum it all, after reading these seven texts, it is evident that the issue of whether journalism is a profession or not is complicated. While some say journalism doesn’t need validated entry, others believe the formal training validates the journalist. Other scholars say journalism is just a field practice while other professors talk about the theoretical aspect makes it a profession. Ultimately, whether journalism is a profession may be determined by how it conforms to today’s media world and stay true to its values.

 References

Hanitzch, T.,(2013). Worlds of Journalism.

Hargreaves, I.,(2003). Journalism: Truth or Dare.

Sayinka.,(2007). The Media in Britain .Pearson Education Limited.

Sydne, D.,(1913). The Problem of Journalism.

Hachten, A.W.,(1951). Trouble of Journalism.

McNair, B.,(2001). Key Elements of Journalism.

McBride, K& Rosenstein, T.,(2001). Elements of Journalism.