Dani Dean
dd929212@ohio.edu
What is journalism? Some would argue it
is considered a profession, while others say it is a craft of rhetoric. It is
difficult to categorize a work when it ranges from someone getting a masters degree
in journalism, to someone who simply free-lances as a hobby. It is unethical to
deny anyone the right to call himself a journalist, because it would be
denying that person of their first amendment. Especially an amendment that
every journalist lives and breathes by. If that is the case how is it possible
to distinguish a professional journalist from a casual blogger if they have
skill as a writer?
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The answer to this question is determined by a journalist’s
ethics and understanding of ethics.
Profession:
Webster’s definition of a profession is, a type of job that
requires special education, training or skill. The instant outlier is the
requirement of the special education it takes to be considered a professional
journalist; which would be a degree from a university. Obviously the quality of
the university affects the level of education one receives and affects the
reputation of the degree they earn. With that education comes an understanding
of ethics and that is what really sets apart the professionals. In Moral Reasoning for Journalists the
authors point out how “journalism, medicine and law all have important public
roles, their own professional organizations and their own codes of standards of
behavior, including ethics codes.” In my opinion, to be considered a
professional journalist one must fully understand the ethics codes in
journalism. I am excited to break down and understand the ethics of journalism
this semester . . . therefore becoming one step closer to being a professional
journalist. At the surface/definition level of this it is obvious that
journalism can be claimed as a profession. But there is still the argument of journalism being
considered a craft rather than a profession.
Craft:
Webster’s definition of a craft is, a job or activity that
requires special skill. Now, special skill is not as serious as a special
education required to fit under the definition of a professional. The special
skill in this craft is to write well and understand rhetoric. But that does not
just make for ethical journalism because it says nothing about understanding
ethics or the importance of them. Journalism as a craft and as a profession are
completely different, but many people view them as the same. That is where the
public’s disconnect and distrust of journalists comes from.
There are still critics that believe journalism has lost its
way. There is a lot of blame placed on the media while no constructive action
is being taken to fix this problem. That is where passion needs to come in play.
Calling:
Webster’s definition of a calling is, a strong desire to
spend your life doing a certain kind of work. Professional journalist feel this
passion. That is where their desire to dig up information and inform the public
in an unbiased way comes from. I believe that – along with ethics and education
– the calling a journalist feels makes them a professional.
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| businessjournalism.org |
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