Week 3 - 'What is a Journalist?'

As part of our Journalism course we are required as communication students to complete an electronic/ reading,research blog. We have recently set up our individual blogging accounts in class and have already eagarly wasted no time in blogging. Having done a blog before i believe they are a valuable learning tool especially for gaining research and insight about the course studied. Reading journals not only develop ones knowledge thus understanding, but open up various avenues for a broader range of thinking and analysis certain issues and key topics and grasping content on certain theories. A blog is engaging, informative and some what compelling to a reader.That is what i strive and aim to be as a journalist and as a student undergoing this course. I am looking forward to developing my skills and knowledge in this course and acheive a greater understanding of journalism in itself through out the semester. Our tutorial teacher Christina is an experienced journalist particulary in the field of television and radio, so her background knowledge will aid and assist us in this course greatly.

Today was the beginning of the group tutorial in class presentations and the seminar topic was based around the debatable hot topic of 'What is a Journalist?'. The presenters for this week were Luke Hopewell and Prue Evans. This topic and the way it was presented made it highly interesting and engaging i believe. They grasped ahold of there audience and reeled them in with there journo savvy information and free minties and fantailes.Not a bad way to get your audience hooked i must say!. With all of that put aside and the confusion they had with the time limit they displayed a sound understanding of the topic at hand and it was evident that a lot of research had been done. The use of reliable sources was also evident. Luke Hopewell displayed excellent presentation skills and it was clear to me that he had researched and remembered his topic from back to front. His delivery was exceptional.

There are an array of questions asked about what is a journalist?. Well really what is it? And who is a journalist? The way information is gathered has changed and a lot of questions are asked about how journalists do their jobs. This is a tough question to tackle. I mean is there such thing as a wrong or right answer? The presentation by Luke and Prue defined a journalist and there role in society, they took us back to the beginning of history where carvings were writtin on the walls and depicted journalism during the era of Julius Caesar. There was discussion of the great journalist Benjamin Franklin and how he shaped American society with his compellnig journalism. From the presentation i gathered that a journalist must fight and argue to get the best story. I found myself asking the same question as that of the presenters is a journalist civic or professional?

Journalism is about presenting both sides of a story and letting the public decide. There has been a new wave of current and civic journalism which trys to engage with the community, running conversations, not being attached and providing a solution. So we must ask ourselves is journalism engaged or detached? Civic journalism is a debatable news trend. It is heavy on opinion and light on facts. There is relevance and ethics of journalism. Citizen journalism is shaping news.Journalism has been around for a long time and there is also this historical perspective about it all. There is this essence of 'What is News'?. The fact is on one hand that journalists sometimes get things wrong so we need civic journalism to back it up. I understood that civic journalism is an effort to reach out to the public more agresively in the reporting process, to listen to how citizens frame their problems and what citizens see as solutions to these problems.

I learned a good deal of information from this weeks presentation as well as the readings which i will get to in a moment. Our group tutorial presentation is in week 7 on the topic 'Truth and Objectivity'. My group consists of Andrew, Martina and myself. This topic i believe will too be a debatable and highly interesting topic to discuss.

'The Daily Miracle', describes a journalist as " Historians, recording a community's best and worst moments. They give a town, city, state, nation - sometimes - humanity, a sense of self. Journalists ask, analyse, explain and ponder. Journalists are like a mirror reflecting society back onto itself. A journalist requires a broad general knowledge and a strong interest in current affairs, a curiosity that has no boundaries, and a thirst to keep educating ones self. Journalists should aspire to become the best they possibly can be."

Journalism must be informative, engaging and connect the readers. The truth and accuracy in reporting journalism is an essential component. A journalist whether be civic or professional must abide by the procedures to being nothing less than a reliable and accurate journalist who stirves to succeed in his daily job.

The readings this week on 'Whatis a journalist?', by Suellen Tapsall and carolyn varley were very interesting. I love the opening line, What is a journalist? An alcoholic in training. Well sort of.It is not quite clear now what a journalists role actually is and what job they are suppose to be doing. It is essential for a journalist to know their role in order to decide what side of the fence they sit at and for the purpose of society in conveying the news. It is important for the public to care about what a journalist is and what they do in their role for the sole purpose of being able to distinguish that of good and bad news and whether the source they are reading or viewing is credible or not. Journalists find the truth, engage and interest readers,listeners or viewers, act independently and questions society, support societies wilder values, communicate clearly, and strive to be fair in their reporting ( King 1997).

The MEAA ( Media Entertainment And Arts Alliance), highlights the respect for truth and the public's right to information as 'overriding' or 'fundamental' principles of journalism. There is a certain degree that journalists must be responsible for their work especially as Australian journalists there can be a lot of pressure placed. Journalists have a degree of public responsibility. There are various skills and attributes a journalist must have if they want to succeed in this rivaled industry with high pressures and demands. News sense and language skills are among those vital ingredients needed for journalists. Journalists must be hungary to find the truth and seek quality information to its consumers. Journalists have also become quite tech savvy as technology is constantly changing and new layers of tools and techniques become apart of the newsrooms and a journalists job. Technology has also made a huge impact on broadcast journalism.

Pressures and chanllenges arekey tools that a journalist must be prepared for. A journalists role is very challenging and demanding especially in the Australian market. Journalism should be displayed at its highest with a great deal of quality and passion. Ultimately a journalist can be several things however, commitment to truthfulness, accuracy and personal and professional integrity and an appreciation of journalism is essential. There is no one clear definition of what a journalist is you decide!

This week i am going to comment on Luke Hopewells blog.

Until now thats all, stay tunned for your latest news and current affairs next week in journalism with Shanna Bull!