Need for a Degree

The world is ever-changing, ever-evolving. There is something significant happening every moment. Thus, the world is in dire need of journalists who can gather this information, curate them and transmit them to the general public. There are political, social, financial, economical happenings that are utmost significant to everyone.
Various news agencies and channels have come up trying to compete with each other in order to collect the news stories first. These agencies are hiring many journalists and the industry is growing multifold times. In such competitive scenario, an aspiring journalist is expected to know the fundamentals of journalism well. Thus, institutes and colleges have started offering different kinds of degrees in journalism catering to different interests of aspirers. Hence, a bachelor’s degree in journalism is utmost important in order to know the fundamentals of journalism that involve learning news gathering, citation, working with formats, English skills, communication skills, ethics, new media technology and a lot of other things.

Various Degrees Offered

One can enroll into journalism courses with a basic senior secondary education in any field, preferable liberal arts. The main focus should be on language and vocabulary skills. One can go for a proper traditional journalism honors degree or can go for specific field of interest.

Various popular courses offered are:

1) Multimedia Journalism

2) Undergraduate Media Criticism

3) Mass Media Law

4) Copy Editing and Design

5) Reporting and Writing for Online Media

6) Magazine and Feature Writing

7) Public Opinion and Editorial Analysis

8) Entrepreneurial Journalism Practicum

9) Web design

10) Freelance Sport Writing

11) Science, Health and Environmental Reporting

12) Public Relations and Event Management

13) MARKETING Communication

14) Photography Medium and Journalism
(Source of the list of degrees: www.journalismdegree.com)

Making a Career

After pursuing the bachelors degree, one can go for masters in more specific area of interest
or can do a diploma too. The main focus hereafter should be on internships which build a person’s CV. One can begin with online writing or blogging with various websites and then apply for real time internships. One should start building up contacts in the industry in order to put a foot forward in this world of diplomacies. One can also work as a freelancer working for various channels/magazines.

With experience and dedication, an amateur turns into professional.

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An Overview!
Journalism and its objectivity have often been criticized for taking away the truth from news stories. The essential norm of neutrality that restricts a reporter from framing a news story in its bitter truth has often been criticized. With the emergence of the movement of ‘New Journalism’ emerged the term ‘Gonzo Journalism’ too. Gonzo Journalism essentially focuses on representing a news event or story in its originality. This kind of journalism encourages personal approach to a news story wherein the first person narrative is used. Emotions, satires, sarcasms and humor are the basic elements of gonzo journalism per se. The main motto is to provide accurate information without cutting out the essential truth.

Inception of the term-‘Gonzo’
This word was first used in 1970 by Bill Cardoso to describe an article by Hunter S. Thompson, who was a forefather of the new journalism movement. Thompson said, “If I’d written the truth I knew for the past ten years, about 600 people—including me—would be rotting in prison cells from Rio to Seattle today. Absolute truth is a very rare and dangerous commodity in the context of professional journalism.” There are various arguments as to what inspired Bill to use this word. Some trace its origin to french whereas some trace it to a hit album number back then.

Concept of ‘Gonzo’
According to Thompson, a gonzo journalist has to have “the talent of master journalist, the eye of an artist/photographer and the heavy balls of an actor”. These talents were required in order to interpret news stories in accurate ways. Gonzo journalism was more or less an off shoot of new journalism where in the traditional mainstream journalistic practices were condemned. The main aim of gonzo journalism was to represent things in the way they were seen.

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An Overview!
Sports Journalism is a growing industry. It is gaining more momentum and value as an independent genre of journalism. Various colleges and institutes are offering diploma programs on Sports journalism. Since the inset of great gaming leagues played internationally, the need to report news stories from such events came into existence. Sports journalism basically refers to news reports on anything and everything related to sports and games. With the growth of sports in terms of wealth, power and influence, sports journalism has become an important part of every media house, newspapers, broadcasters, etc. They especially have a sports section/column or show for their respective paper/channel.

As a Career
Like every other genre of journalism, sports journalism too has great competition. Journalists have to be competitive enough to gather news stories related to various events or sports jamborees. A sports journalist can either specialize in any particular sport to report about happenings of that sport from worldwide or can report about all the sports news from a particular area. She/he might work as a freelancer or with a particular sports organization or channel.
A person with passion for sports, who is otherwise unfit to play the sport, can pursue sports journalism as a career that will fuel his/her passion and also help him/her meet various sports personalities while attending worldwide sports jamborees. However, one should first establish himself in the field by building networks and contacts.

Life of a Sports Journalist
Travelling, overtime duties, weekend leisure ruled out and pressure are a few factors that describe the life of a sports journalist. However, if one is very passionate about sports and is interested in attending different sports events, enjoys free travelling and going around, loves meeting sporting divas, this shall be the perfect career option. Though a journalist has to work hard initially to establish himself in this field by proving his credibility and building a chain of networks, once he/she is established, life becomes more interesting and glamorous.

If one can meet the work pressures and carve out his/her name as a leading sports reporter or columnist, he/she can become a household name. With hard work and passion blend together, an aspiring sports journalist can reach the zenith because sports journalism is a much evolving field.

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There is a difference between news agencies and news channels which is not known to all. News Agencies are like those umbrellas or the canopies of the trees that provide shed to the person in requirement. A news agency basically gather pieces of news stories and sells them to the subscribing news channels, magazines, television broadcasters, radios, etc.  They are often called Newswires.

News Agencies can be government controlled or private. They might be independent corporations that sell news or might work with large media companies in order to share their news stories that might in turn be picked up by other news agencies for redistribution. However, news and information best work when transferred from one source to other since their essential characteristic is circulation.
There are some very important global news agencies that have their offices in most countries of the world.

1) Agence France-Presse

Though working as a government-chartered corporation, it is officially an independent business. It is somehow a descendant of Agence-Havas founded in 1835 which later came to be known as AFP in 1944.
It has its headquarters in Paris, its regional offices in more than 5 cities and its bureaus in more than 150 countries. It is the third largest global news agency and it communicates new in various languages including French, English, Arabic, Spanish, etc.

2) Associated Press

A not-for-profit news cooperative formed in 1846, with 240 news bureaus in more than 120 countries as of now. It is headquartered in New York City. AP is owned by its contributing television, radio and news channels in United States. All of these contribute news stories to AP, which is used by more than 17000 newspapers and 5000 radio/television broadcasters. Gary Pruitt is the present CEO of AP.

3) Reuters

Reuters was established in 1851 by Paul Julius Reuter. It has its headquarters in London, England, UK.
However, Reuters is no more an independent company owned by Reuters Group pIc. It was acquired in 2008 by Thomson Reuters. It transmits news in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian and various other languages. It has a great network of newspapers and broadcasters.

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Journalists are the heart of media. Journalism is not a mere profession but an important part of the societal ecosystem. They play a huge role in mobilizing views and perceptions. Journalists are the middlemen between public and news makers, thus, what they convey is really important. Their dedication to gather important pieces of news stories and unparalleled professionalism in disseminating them through print or broadcast is appreciable.
There have been various journalists in the past who have contributed their heart and soul to the profession and are thus addressed as the pillars or idols of the journalism world.

1) John Peter Zenger: He became the American hero for the freedom of press. He published the New York Weekly Journal in 1700s and wrote things that criticized the local government. He dug out the fact that people liked reading critiques about the local government and enjoyed them. But the government arrested him and sent him for trials. However, ultimately the victory lied in Zenger’s side of the court. He triggered the American Revolution and argued that press shall have freedom of expression.

2) Benjamin Franklin: Franklin is known for various inventions and various theories. But he was a great journalist too. In 1730s, with his two partners, Franklin published the Pennsylvania Chronicle, a newspaper. This newspaper was known for mobilizing people of America for The American Revolution. It contained revolutionary ideas and sentiments. Thus, Franklin used media to propagate ideas and make America the society that it is today.

3) William Randolph Hearst: I have discussed Hearst in my previous blogs where I talked about yellow Journalism. Hearst was one the beginners of sensationalism of news called yellow journalism. However, he was the one who started the biggest chain of newspapers. The chain numbered around 30 newspapers circulated in almost all peak cities of America. He influenced journalism in America to the very core.

4) Joseph Pulitzer: That’s a name heard often? Isn’t it? Well, Pulitzer prizes given to best journalists are named after Joseph Pulitzer. Pulitzer, who was engaged in the yellow journalism war with Hearst, later diverted to truth in journalism. He later ran the New York World. He also faced charge of libel upon exposing an illegal crime; however he was victorious in defending himself.

These journalists have created huge influence in media and journalism. Through their passion, they had reached the panache of their profession.

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What is Neutrality?
Media represents freedom of expression wherein one has the liberty to express what one wants to. However, what may be freedom to one can always be a hindrance to other. In such a case how does one decide what is right and what is the measure to which liberty can be exercised?
On a personal level, people may speak or tweet stuff that they think is right and inoffensive and they can easily do away with the trouble but when it comes to journalists or news agencies, they cannot run the risk of being offensive. They rather pertain to ‘Neutrality’.  As the Oxford definition goes:  “Neutrality is the state of not supporting or helping either side in a conflict, disagreement, etc.; Impartiality, Absence of decided views, expression, or strong feeling.”

Neutrality as the Ideal
‘Neutrality’ is vehemently encouraged in the newspapers and magazines. Newspapers are based on the theory that what they report is factual; therefore the news stories cannot be judgmental or opinionated. In fact, the words used in reports are carefully chosen. Words that are loaded or have pun/double-meaning attached to them are condemned in order to avoid problems. Thus, there is a separate page called ‘The Editorial’ page which consists of the opinionated or tailored news articles.
‘Neutrality’ is considered to be the most important journalistic ethic because it adds to professionalism and maintains fairness, impartiality and non-favoritism.
It also supports wide acceptability because the newspaper agency and its associates set them completely away from ambiguity and judgments.

Neutrality Guidelines by Agencies
Certain news agencies have endeavored to create a neutrality guideline for their associates and reporters in order to maintain professionalism and avoid confusion.  The International Press Institute (IPI) made its Use With Care: A Reporter’s Glossary of Loaded Language in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict available online wherein it mentioned words that should be avoided in articles and provided alternatives to those words. It condemned the reporters to use words that are loaded or pun-intended.
The Washington Post in September 25, 2009 released guidelines for its staff using social media. The excerpts from the post read as “When using these networks, nothing we do must call into question the impartiality of our news judgment. Post journalists must refrain from writing, tweeting or posting anything – including photographs or video – that could be perceived as reflecting political racial, sexist, religious or other bias or favoritism that could be used to tarnish our journalistic credibility.”

Isn’t Neutrality Debatable?
Well, is it that easy to write ‘n’ number of news stories without putting in opinions in it? If news stories are to be complete facts, how would one report cases like crime, corruption, murder, conceit? Taking away the truth from the core of the story would in fact render it as a piece of unbaked cake.
Also, another most heated issue is that if the news agencies and newspapers demand Neutrality so much, aren’t they refraining from it themselves when they take a point of view in deciding what stories are to be covered? Somehow, the notion of objectivity fails to cater to the predicament where it comes to taking sides of politicians and leading corporations, publishing news stories favorable to them.

Journalistic ‘Neutrality’ is a much debated and discussed issue in the realm of media and expression.

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Need for Investigate Journalism
Investigate Journalism is majorly concerned with investigating on a particular news story and doing an in depth reporting about it.
The very purpose of media and journalism is to bring forth the news and facts that are unknown to the general public in order to make them aware of the political, social and economical issues of domestic and global realms. It often happens that the facts to be reported are not accessible and available openly and need to be dug out. Investigation becomes a very important aspect of reporting when news stories involving scandals, corruptions, crimes or other wrongdoings are to be told. In this ever evolving society where conceit, disloyalty, crimes, betrayals, corruptions are like branches of the tree called society, there is a dire need of people who have dogged determination to make the world a fair, equal and honest place. Whether exposing a serial killer or a corrupt leader for misuse of funds, Investigate journalism has the charm to uphold the democracy.
People with such fervency employ themselves as Investigate Journalists where they find the opportunity to research and investigate such cases and write news stories about them.

Nature of Work
A good Investigate Journalist is a person who envisages to bring reforms in society and uphold the societal morals and justices. One would need a tinge of skepticism, research skills, determination, communication skills and a good appetite to face challenges. The research skill has to be put in use very meticulously, reaching out to every concealed or coveted data, collecting & analyzing the records of researched data. They should know how to reach out to contacts that can facilitate their investigation. They should preferably have
some knowledge about legal conducts and codes because often the case being investigated might involve legal actions as its repercussions. One should also learn to take advantage of the so called ‘Bible of Internet’, i.e., the social media and put in use the coveted information perhaps gained. Undoubtedly, an Investigate Journalist shall have some descendant traits of Sherlock or Watson.
Notable Investigate Journalist:
Bob Woodward

Bob Woodward is the famous writer of the book ‘All the President’s Men’ which was made into and acknowledged as one of the best movies on Journalism. Bob is an American investigative journalist and non-fiction author who worked for The Washington Post since 1971 as a reporter, and is now an associate editor of the Post. He was acknowledged for having made the greatest reporting effort of all times for his original news reporting on the Watergate Scandal in 1972. His book ‘All the President’s Men’ is semi-autobiographically based on the way he along with his team mate uses journalism and media to overthrow the most powerful man of the world. Woodward thus, is a notable example of a passionate Investigate Journalist and an inspirational icon for every aspiring journalist.

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Understanding the working of a journalist is not a child’s game. That running after the time bound reports or shoots, reaching the event spot to capture the right shots and running after those hectic interview schedules are the most challenging parts of a journalist’s work.
A movie can showcase a journalist’s life better than spoken or written words. There are several movies that have been made on lives of journalists and the nature of their work. Such movies can also help an aspiring journalist gain inspiration and experience. These are the few most acknowledged movies on journalists/journalism.

1) All the President’s Men (1976)

This movie based on a book by same name was directed by Alan J. Pakula showcased the power of journalism for checking upon free media. It starred Robert RedFort & Dustin Hoffman investigating the Watergate scandal. The movie was followed by two other sequels forming a series of trilogy. When one sees how two junior reporters bought down the most powerful man in the world, one can see the power embedded in media and its agents.

2) Almost Famous (2000)

This movie is about a teenage aspiring journalist who gets his big break when he lands up a task by The Rolling Stone Magazine to interview an upcoming famous band. His love for music takes him to interview the leads of the music band, embarking upon a new journey altogether. Director Cameron Crowe uses the semi-autobiographical element making use of his experiences as a teenage writer for Rolling Stone himself. This movie is a must watch for a struggling Journalist.

3) Anchorman (2004)
This movie directed by Adam McKay is a take on the 1970s broadcast news culture of the male-dominated world, particularly in the Action News format. Ron Burgundy, played by Will Ferrell is outshone by his new female counterpart who makes him grow jealous and take a vulgar slip on TV. This movie makes us understand the prevalent cultures in past.

4) Balibo (2009)
This film is somewhat based upon a real life incident where a group of five journalists were killed and captured during the Indonesian invasion of East Timor in 1975. The movie is loosely based on the book Cover-Up, by Jill Jolliffe. The group of the journalists called the Balibo Five who sacrifice their life while reporting and doing their job. This movie is a real inspiration and a tribute to the dedicated agents of media.

Thus, one can watch movies like these to gain knowledge about the tasks and nature of the work of a journalist.

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A Book list for an Aspiring Journalist

No wonder! We are in the advanced internet age today but the value & worth of books can never be surpassed by any advancement in technology. There are books on almost every subject. Books written by ace thinkers and professionals have a lot to offer. They carve out their deepest thoughts and profound knowledge about the subject that they write on. Thus, one should always refer to books related to their professional area in order to develop a better understanding of the profession & its objectives.
Here are some books that every aspiring Journalist should refer to:

1) London Labor and the London Poor (1840s)
By Henry Mayhew
Written in the times of Charles Dickens when England underwent a drastic industrial revolution, Henry Mayhem’s book is a series of accounts of various labors and poor of London. Mayhem set the standard of investigate journalism, the people he wrote about were interviewed by him on streets and factories. Their stories seemed to be spoken by them, appealing to the Victorian public from the pages of the book. Thus, this book is a key work in the development of investigate journalism.

2) Berlin Diary (1941)
By William Shirer
A book that defines the sheer act of journalistic witness, this book by William Shirer- an acclaimed journalist, is an eye witness account of the events leading to the World War II in Europe. Being an American journalist, he covered Germany for several years. This book is the celebration of being the right reporter at the right place at the right time.

3) The Song of the Dodo (1997)
By David Quammen
This is a book about physical & intellectual adventure. It leaves the readers filled with enthusiasm in the end. David is a wonderful reporter and story teller who has written exceptionally about the extinction of species in a devastated world. The end of the book is most important. Every aspiring journalist can learn a lot from David’s way of reporting & story- telling.

4) Prisoner Without a Name, Cell Without a Number (1981)
By Jacobo Timerman
This is one of the great works of Holocaust. Jacobo reflects on his arrest, torture & exile during the World War II. He talks about the mysteries of power and hate of the holocaust era. Jacobo was the editor of the leading newspaper, ‘The Opiniòn’. His story reveals the courage that journalists can summon and how one can retain humanity even in the face of the evil.

These are few classics that might encourage, teach and inspire the aspiring journalists.

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Careers in Journalism

Does the word ‘Journalism’ ring a bell in your ears? Does it increase your heartbeats? Do you follow Arnab Goswami or BarkhaDutt?Well, then you are at the right Blog! You have the opportunity to know what the kinds of career are that you can pursue in this field.
Journalism more or less is about collecting, editing, and coordinating the data that is to be published or broadcasted. Journalism as a career dates back to 140 years. It has gained fame and there are many institutions that offer different types of courses in Journalism. It is not just limited to editing in newspaper or reporting as a studio anchor, it has various genres which are taught by the means of various specialized courses.
Here are a few genres/careers in Journalism:

1) Broadcast journalism: News anchors, weather reporters, etc who disseminate news in front of the camera or the  anchors who resonate the public with their melodious voices on radio are all a part of broadcast journalism. If you are passionate about working in front of the camera or maybe stuff like writing, editing or managing, you can make a career in broadcast journalism. You must have a proper diction, decision-making skill, oral communication skill and a revealing tone.

2) Investigate Journalism: Walter Lippmann said, “There can be no higher law in journalism than to tell the truth and shame the devil.” Investigate journalism is surely your cup of tea if you have a dogged determination to uphold equality, truth & democracy. Investigate journalists’ research and reveal stories that are being hidden by others. They expose the political scams, murder mysteries, environmental polluters, etc. You must have a tinge of skepticism & determination in you that will do the work automatically. One can pursue this career even with a degree in law. Find out the hidden Sherlock in you!

3) Photo Journalism: Did you find yourself hidden in the Ranbir Kapoor of ‘Ye Jawaani Hai Diwani’? Do you have a penchant for capturing the world in a lens? Exploring various realities and atrocities of the world, clicking away pictures that tell stories and showing people what a situation looked like through your eyes, if that is your style, you can become a photojournalist.
You must be willing to work under pressure, risks and dead-lines.

4) Sports Journalism: Do you follow Sports like a religion? Are you captivated by the sports channels so much that you can’t let others have the remote? But, you are no P.T. Usha or Sachin! Build up the passion to become a sports journalist. You can write/edit for magazines, newspapers about sports related events. You can host radio or tv shows for sports channels. You can become commentator/announcer for sports councils. You can also become media representative for various sports teams or channels. You get your dream opportunity of meeting various sports stars too!

5) Social Media Representative: Are you an internet maniac? What if we say that you can make a career out of that? Due to infinite popularity of social media like FB, Twitter, Instagram, Linked-In, etc, companies, marketers seek people who have a proper knowledge about social media. Web-designing, digital marketing, social media management, SEO consultant, social media developer, public relation expert, etc are some careers as a social media representative. Various journalism schools offer a course in this field to teach consumer behavior, online marketing, professional networking etc.

If you are planning to pursue journalism, give it your best shot.

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