Journalism is not a profession – Journalism is a ‘unique vocation’ to serve the truth and hold a mirror to the contemporary happenings in a society
Journalism has always been looked upon as a mission to serve people —Primarily, it is a public service.
Journalism has always been looked upon as a mission to serve people—Primarily, it is a public service. Journalism is ultimately a ‘unique vocation’ to serve the truth and hold a mirror to the contemporary happenings in a society. The press has been described as the ‘Fourth Pillar’ and ‘Watchdog of Democracy’ because of the critical role it can play in protecting the interests of the people and moulding public opinion.
The critical role journalism plays in protecting democracy and in serving the larger good of the society, the profession must maintain highest ethical, moral and reporting standards.
Journalism has always been looked upon as a mission to serve people—Primarily, it is a public service. Journalism is ultimately a ‘unique vocation’ to serve the truth and hold a mirror to the contemporary happenings in a society. The press has been described as the ‘Fourth Pillar’ and ‘Watchdog of Democracy’ because of the critical role it can play in protecting the interests of the people and moulding public opinion.
The critical role journalism plays in protecting democracy and in serving the larger good of the society, the profession must maintain highest ethical, moral and reporting standards.
10 qualities to the journalists to be successful in JOURNALISM. They are:
- Be Joyful
- Be Objective
- Be Unbiased
- Be Responsible
- Be a Nationalist
- Be Artistic
- Be a Lifelong Learner
- Be Inquisitive
- Be Strong
- Be Mindful
Journalists enjoy certain privileges
While the press and journalists enjoy certain privileges like easy access to the corridors of power, these privileges reciprocally demand responsibilities from the Press and the journalists. They may make constructive criticism of the governmental policies, but at the same time they are morally and constitutionally obliged to strengthen the democratic institutions and respect the socio-cultural ethos. It should be remembered that the Freedom of Speech and Expression enshrined in our constitution is not absolute, but bound by reasonable restrictions.
Over the years, the media has grown and the present media landscape is full of varieties and driven by market, competition and technology. In this new ‘smart media environment’ with unprecedented flood of information, we need to be ‘smart media consumers’!
Over the years, the media has grown and the present media landscape is full of varieties and driven by market, competition and technology. In this new ‘smart media environment’ with unprecedented flood of information, we need to be ‘smart media consumers’!
In view of the critical role journalism plays in protecting democracy and in serving the larger good of the society, the profession must maintain highest ethical, moral and reporting standards. Journalists must never shirk from the core principles of journalism like independence and objectivity and shun unhealthy practices such as sensationalism.
Of late, the undesirable practices of mixing news with views, partisan reportage and paid news have crept into journalism. The sooner such practices are eliminated the better it would be for journalists and the society at large. There should not be any compromise on the core values of journalism and practitioners of this profession must carry out their duties without fear or favour.
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