Writing Vocations - Journalism

Who shapes your public and/or political opinions? Do you read newspapers, periodicals or online news publications? Do you have a favorite news broadcast or channel? If so, journalists are not only involved, but they are helping to shape your opinions. 

Benjamin Franklin Working a Printing Press

The Wikipedia definition of journalism is, “The investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience. Webster’s describes journalism as, “The collection and editing of news for presentation through the media, writing designed for publication in a newspaper or magazine.”

Someone in my family swears that a certain news channel is the only one she can trust. She watches the channel throughout the day. In my opinion, this borders on information overload. When I have to know the news, I prefer to get my information from several different sources. “...in the multitude of counselors, there is safety...” Proverbs 11:14 NKJV

The professional journalist gathers information through eyewitness, personal interviews and research to create a palatable story for presentation on air or in article form. Once she’s done her info gathering, a journalist creates her post or article. The good journalist will keep his or her personal opinion on the sidelines to present an unbiased story.

Journalists are often required to travel. War breaks out in Syria? An earthquake in India? Almost immediately, journalists are dispatched. They go to the heart of the action, sometimes living in extreme situations. As a writer, have you ever done this much research? 

Many writers are journalism graduates, but not all journalists end up as writers. If you include a journalist in your story or novel, I urge you to research the lives of some of our premiere journalists. I've listed a few below. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christiane_Amanpour

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Walters

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Cronkite

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/DianeSawyer/diane-sawyers-biography/story?id=9380180

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Brokaw