‘Journalism’ means the works of a journalist regarding news, views, reports, etc. It is apparent writing on any issue of an affair. The word journalism was originally applied to the reportage of current events in printed form, specifically newspapers, but with the advent of radio, television, and the Internet in the 20th century the use of the term broadened to include all printed and electronic communication dealing with current affairs. Concepts of the appropriate role for journalism vary between countries. In some nations, the news media are controlled by government intervention and are not fully independent. In others, the news media are independent of the government but instead operate as private industry motivated by profit. In addition to the varying nature of how media organizations are run and funded, countries may have differing implementations of laws handling the freedom of speech and libel cases.

THE ROLE OF JOURNALIST: Journalism has improved much of its methods with the passage of years. “It is no longer ponderous instructive, formal. “A good journalist creates his own peculiar style. He knows the art of creating the taste and demand for what he offers. One aspires to literary excellence; another sets greater store by propaganda.

RETAINS PUBLIC WELL-RUN:

News reports are the sole source of information to us most of the time. If it had not been for the constant presence of the media all of the time in every place, we would never get to know about events occurring in different parts of the world. It is thanks to journalism that people in USA are made aware of terror attacks happening in Barcelona, and that overage of concerts happening in a particular region of the world is broadcast to the rest of the world, and that too in real time. Journalism is different from reporting, so journalists attempt to follow up a story and uncover new details, and keeps the public informed about the same.

CATCHES SIGNIFICANT EVIDENCES:

A countless movies would vouch, investigative journalism forms an important source of information for everyone around the world. Investigative journalists are responsible for the task of following up a story, for which they have to meet with prime suspects and interrogate witnesses, all the while posing as common people with no ulterior motive behind their investigations other than idle curiosity

FORMS COMMUNITY OUTLOOK:

While a journalist is not allowed to pass moral judgment or personal opinion on anyone, journalism has a huge humanitarian aspect. A powerful piece of journalistic writing can influence the common people in a way nothing else can. A journalistic report is not an opinion piece, but it certainly provides insights into a matter that is informed, educated, and highly analytical. Thus, the information present in the piece can strongly act toward shaping popular public opinion. Since news reports are our sole source of information most of the time, we tend to rely on the judgments or opinions posed by the media, and our own opinions are formed likewise. For instance, when the news reports make a comparative analysis of the pros and cons of a new law, we tend to lean toward the side which weighs down the scale.

UNVEILS PUBLIC TRAITS:

Public figures tend to stand on a pedestal as far as the common public is concerned. Despite being so called public figures, every little of their lives is known to us, and what we do get to know is carefully moderated and trimmed and then showcased by their public relations teams. Naturally, the image they usually project is a flawless one. Thanks to journalism, however, and journalism that is today aided by state of the art technological devices, it is no longer that easy to maintain a pristine image. If a public figure makes a grave mistake, it becomes almost impossible to hide it from the general public. Even the most clandestine acts are being uncovered by the journalists. It is not uncommon hear of a sting operation undertaken by a journalist on a public figure, and then unleash a compromising recording of the said personality. On the other hand, good deeds by such public figures, even if it is done anonymously, don’t go unnoticed by the media and thence by the rest of the world.

USHERS IN CHANGE:

Journalists are key players in bringing about social and political change. By reporting atrocities happening anywhere in the world, they can give rise to mass social outrage against and awareness of certain social practices, which can lead to criminalization of the act. During elections, journalists can turn the direction by publishing pieces that highlight the weaknesses of a certain candidate, and the strengths of the other. That is why it is important that journalism be free from biases and remain neutral and humanitarian in its approach.

Journalism has been around for centuries. Down the ages, we have been told of uprisings, natural disasters, manmade calamities, and human achievements by journalists. These fearless beings put themselves in the face of grave danger every day so that we remain enlightened about the state of affairs in the world. In would not be an overstatement to say that they are the ones who have truly contributed toward making the world a global village, thanks to their relentless pursuit of the truth beyond borders.

Journalism has many competitors today. Chief of all is the radio and the televisions which not only broadcast and televises but have the added advantages of arranging talks of prominent leaders of the society and establish visual contact with them. But they cannot supersede the newspaper. Remaining glued to Radio or TV at a precise time is not always possible.

Besides, coverage of news by the radio and TV is limited; items must be cut down to the minimum so that the time-limit is not exceeded. But a newspaper can be read at any time, suiting one’s convenience. Its coverage is very wide, and its scope for improvement is unlimited. But the journalist should guard against the present tendency for trivializing and fragmenting news items, imposing the editor’s opinions upon readers.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 19 2023

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