What is journalism?

Journalism is the activity of gathering, assessing, creating, and presenting news and
information. It is also the product of these activities.

Journalism can be distinguished from other activities and products by certain identifiable
characteristics and practices. These elements not only separate journalism from other
forms of communication, they are what make it indispensable to democratic societies.
History reveals that the more democratic a society, the more news and information it
tends to have.

Five Core Principles of Journalism

1. Truth and Accuracy
Journalists cannot always guarantee ‘truth’, but getting the facts right is the cardinal principle of journalism. We
should always strive for accuracy, give all the relevant facts we have and ensure that they have been checked. When
we cannot corroborate information we should say so.

2. Independence
Journalists must be independent voices; we should not act, formally or informally, on behalf of special interests
whether political, corporate or cultural. We should declare to our editors – or the audience – any of our political
affiliations, financial arrangements or other personal information that might constitute a conflict of interest.

3. Fairness and Impartiality

Most stories have at least two sides. While there is no obligation to present every side in every piece, stories should
be balanced and add context. Objectivity is not always possible, and may not always be desirable (in the face for
example of brutality or inhumanity), but impartial reporting builds trust and confidence.

4. Humanity
Journalists should do no harm. What we publish or broadcast may be hurtful, but we should be aware of the impact
of our words and images on the lives of others.

5. Accountability
A sure sign of professionalism and responsible journalism is the ability to hold ourselves accountable. When we
commit errors we must correct them and our expressions of regret must be sincere not cynical. We listen to the
concerns of our audience. We may not change what readers write or say but we will always provide remedies when
we are unfair.
Information
This function includes all reports, news and happenings concerning the daily life. It does not include any information involving or
concerning the pursuit of leisure. But it does cover all news regarding government politics, foreign affairs, weather, accident,
business, labour, education. This function consists mostly of matter, which is given, in news broadcast on the radio and T.V. as well
as in the news columns of the newspapers and magazines

Interpretation of News
The need for interpreting and explaining the news in our day and age is readily manifold because their own fields of knowledge
baffle even the specialists at times. The ordinary mortal caught in a maze of economics, science or invention needs to be led by the
hand through its intricacies. Accordingly, present day journalism sees to it that along with its announcement of a fact, event or
theory, the reader or listener also gets explanation, background material interpretation and diagrams. These are all aimed at helping
an individual to achieve a better understanding of the significance of what he reads or hears:

Entertainment
Side by side with its more serious roles as a purveyor of information, interpreter and molder of opinion, journalism lays increasing
emphasis on its function as an entertainer. Under this Function can be included all types of fiction like comic strips stories amusing
aspects of everyday life etc. It also includes factual material sports news, theater reviews and hobby columns, which deal with
leisure. The entertainment function of the press is very important. This function not only competes for space and time with either
functions but it can also exert indirect influence and impart information incidentally

Advertising
This function of the press can very easily be recognized because it is commercially oriented. Sometimes, the advertisements also
have some pubic service message under the prestige advertisements regarding family planning, driving safely, childcare, health
care etc. The commercially oriented advertising seeks to promote the sale of their goods.

Generally, people have to depend upon the press for the major share of their total news information because even television
newscasts cannot carry that much bulk, nor could the television viewers assimilate it, if they did. Of course, information can be
written and edited in such a slanted fashion that there exerts more influence than the printed editorial. Entertainment is the most
important function of journalism, because it is like a magnet, which attracts and holds a large audiences. It plays a vital role in selling
newspapers and magazines by the millions. The sports pages, comic strips, astrology columns advice to the lovelorn and
crosswords are essential to the average newspapers survival as a mass media.

The entertainment function's greatest threat to good journalism is its competition against information and influence for media space
and time and consumer attention. Addition of an extra page of comic strips may add to circulation and accompanying advertising
revenues, thus enabling the newspaper to add editorial material, or it may simply oust a few columns of news and commentary.
Similarly, a second lovelorn column not only steals space from significant offerings, but also tempts more readers away from the
remaining substance.
There is no doubt that information and influence play an inevitable role in the success of the largest general interest. For example,
much space of Reader's Digest is devoted to articles and opinion pieces, about government foreign affairs current morality issues,
and education. Advertising also plays a very important role in the success of running a mass media. Advertising provides the largest
part of the revenue to finance the most elaborate technically sophisticated press system. In fact all sorts of daily newspapers,
magazines; publications depend on advertising revenue. Advertisement also supplies essential marketing information to the public
and helps information businessmen of changes within their fields.

Education Function
The journalism / newspapers not only provide the information to the people but they also educate people by providing guidance on
various .issues through the editorials and column. The need for interpreting and explaining the news in our day and age is readily
manifold because their own field of knowledge baffled even the specialists at time. Accordingly, the present day journalism see to it
that, along with its announcement of a fact, event or theory, the reader or listener also get explanation, background material,
interpretation and diagrams. These are all aimed at helping an individual to achieve a better understanding of the significance of
what they read or hear.
News Function
The most important and exacting function of journalism / newspaper is the provision of a daily or periodical supply of news and all
the news. The provision of news to the readers is a basic concept and Ale newspaper journalism.

The function includes all reports news and happenings concerning the daily life, it does include any information involving or
regarding Govt. politics, foreign affairs, weather, accidents, business, education etc.

Opinion for Motives

It means influence the opinion of the readers through editorials, articles or certain special features. In journalism people are not only
informed, guided and entertained but they all influenced to have their opinion on certain issues. In certain cases, the opinion of
people is diverted to another direction, sometimes, to negative and sometimes to positive direction.

Guidance
From the earliest days journalism has sought to influence mankind. Journalism endeavors to sway the minds of men through the
printed words, cartoons and pictures as they appear in the newspapers, magazines, pamphlets and books and through the spoken
words over the air.

Avowedly the newspaper strives to influence its readers through its articles of opinion, its editorial, its cartoons, and its signed
column etc.

By Journalism we mean collection and editing of material of current interests for presentation through print media.
Now-a-days Journalism developed into a full-fledged social discipline and News is the essence of Journalism. Journalism is actually
the information, education and guidance as such information is one of the constituent part of Journalism. It stands for writing for
newspapers or magazines. It is the communication of information through writing in periodicals and newspapers.

Thus Journalism means communication of information regarding the events of day through written words, sound or pictures.

Journalism as a profession is gaining ground in these days. There is an explosion of

information. We are living in a fast changing world with a fast flow of information. A
large number of magazines and journals have come up. Today, we have a number of
news agencies trading in news and there are more than two scores of associations of
journalists in the country. There are regular courses in journalism run in various
universities. Mass communication has already been introduced as a subject at post
graduate level in many universities. The profession of journalism now attracts a lot of
able and talented students.

Journalism requires a special bent of mind. The first requirement of journalism

as a profession is a keen interest in current events or day to day happenings. A budding
journalist must understand political, social and economic movements going on in the
country and abroad. He must take active interest in current events and have a good
understanding of history and geography to develop a proper perspective. In fact, a
journalist has to be a well-read and learned man. He must have a well-stocked mind. He
has to be awake, alert and active. He must possess a sound memory. He must have an
analytical mind.

A journalist must have original thinking in the face of events that take place
from time to time. He has to interpret, explain and comment on events. He must read
extensively and assimilate facts. A journalist has a noble task to perform. He must
present facts before the people. He is an educator. He has to form and build public
opinion. He must have an independent way of thinking. He must have the courage of his
conviction. He must not be biased or prejudiced against anybody or any organisation.
He must have an insight into human mind. He must live and move among people to
study their mode of living. A good journalist combines in him all these qualities of head
and heart
Duties & Responsibilities of Journalists
Reporting Duties

Before journalists can write about a subject, they must first gather information. They usually conduct several interviews with

people involved in or having knowledge of the subject. They may also go to the scene of an event, such as a crime or an

accident, to interview witnessees or law enforcement officers and to document what they see. In addition, they often search

public records or other databases to find information and statistics to back up their stories. Researching a story is often

similar to conducting an investigation, and journalists must sometimes ask difficult questions. They may have to invest a lot

of time tracking down information and people relevant to the story.

Working With People

Even though a news article bears a single journalist's byline, the process requires significant collaboration. How good a

journalist's story is often depends on how adept he is at communicating and working with others. For example, journalists

take instruction from their editors regarding what angle to approach when writing a story, how long the story should be and

whom to interview. They also need strong people and communication skills so they can persuade sources to talk to them.

Journalists frequently approach people they don't know, whether when reporting from the scene or calling to request an

interview. If they're uncomfortable around strangers, they'll make others uncomfortable as well, making it less likely that

people will want to be interviewed.

Legal Responsibilities

In addition to serving the public interest, journalists must also follow the law, especially regarding the confidentiality and

privacy of the people they interview or write about. For example, while journalists often tape record their interviews to ensure

accuracy, federal and state laws generally make it illegal to record a conversation without the permission of the other party.

In this case, journalists must tell their sources they're recording the interview before it begins. Journalists must also

understand the laws regarding libel and invasion of privacy. If a journalist is careless when reporting criminal allegations

against a person, for example, he could face a defamation lawsuit if the accusations are proved untrue.

Ethical Responsibilities

Some aspects of a journalist's job are not subject to any kind of law but are just as important. Journalists must strive to

present an accurate, well-balanced explanation of the stories they cover. For example, they have an obligation to present all

sides of an issue, and to conduct extensive research and talk to several sources knowledgeable about the subject. If they

present only popular opinion, or if they conduct minimal research without fully exploring the subject, they don't give readers

and viewers the information they need to understand the implications of the event or issue. Journalists must also be honest
with the people they interview, telling them before talking to them what the article is about and that they plan to quote them

in the piece.

What is ethics in journalism?

According to the basic division there are two kinds of ethics: duty-based ethics and consequentialist
ethics.

In the case of journalism duty-based ethics stresses the importance of truth, while consequential ethics
focuses on societal good. If a journalist thinks that it is most important that a story is true and that the
facts are right, s/he follows duty-based ethics.
On the other hand, a journalist may think the effects of a cause are the most
important aspect and in result follow consequentialist ethics. Does the article offend someone? What kind
of effects does the publication of the article have? Can the publication of a certain do more harm than
good even if the facts used were correct?
The ethical code of journalism is much the same as the ethical code of science. As with science, also in
journalism it is important to be objective, critical, autonomous and progressive.

Objectivity and criticality describe the relationship with knowledge. Autonomy should be achieved at
least towards funders and owners and the state.
The ethical code of progressivity refers to the principle that science and journalism should create new
information.
The ethical code of journalism is much the same as the ethical
code of science. As with science, also in journalism it is
important to be objective, critical, autonomous and
progressive.