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J 101 FRU
Journalism cannot be boxed by any single definition that encompasses all and the
same goes with traits that a journalist must possess. As with every concept, there is always a
contestation amongst people who see, and define the world they live in differently. However,
I am going to discuss journalism in three concepts - truth, people and power and discuss the
First, journalism is about seeking for the truth, investigating the truth and reporting
the truth. But the question is, what is the truth? Is it relative, is it multiple or is there one
single truth? Merriam Webster defines truth as “the property (as of a statement) of being in
accord with fact or reality.” Another definition from philosophy says that truth is “the
property of sentences, assertions, beliefs, thoughts, or propositions that are said, in ordinary
discourse, to agree with the facts or to state what is the case (Blackburn, 2009).” I believe that
though every issue and story contains multiple sides, there is only one truth and journalism
always adheres with discovering that single truth. As media shapes the reality of people in
many ways, the more that the truth must always be the one being pursued and delivered to the
public.
Second, journalism is about the people - what interests, concerns and affects the
people. It is people-driven and people-centered. It's for the people, meaning journalism
pursues public interest more than anything else. True ethical journalism that gains credibility
is one that is motivated by the public's interest and not a company's, a politician's or a
journalist's personal interest. Moreover, discussed in class was Helen Sissons' idea that
journalism is about telling real life stories. It is about conveying human experience in such a
way that convinces people to open their minds, think, and understand the different
Third and last, journalism is power because it creates and shapes public opinion that
influences government policies and private institutions. Learning from my elective in speech
last midyear that public opinion is power, I think as a shaper of reality, journalism shows that
it has great power to influence. As public opinion deals with the minds of the people, so it
also deals with the decisions of the people and with it comes an effect towards other
institutions in society especially the government and private businesses. Public opinion can
affect bills being passed into laws. Public opinion can shape the decisions of public officials.
Public opinion is powerful. And journalism is a very powerful tool to shape public opinion
for the good. It can propagate change as it influences minds of the people. That is why
everything in a story matters - framing, angle and content because every story holds power in
it.
The same contestation can be said regarding the characteristics a journalist must
embody. However, there are cardinal traits that I think he/she must have, and these are
embodied in 4 C's.
The first C is curious. A journalist must always be curious for things that are unusual
and worth noticing. As was discussed in class and as I often hear from different media
practitioners, having a nose for news is very important. Big stories with revelations come
from small unusual things a journalist digs into it until something gets exposed. Without
curiosity, a journalist will settle for “pwede na ‘yan,” or “siguro wala lang ‘yun” instead of
asking questions that will reveal important answers. As Prof. Ordinario said - and this is
something I will never forget - ‘do not be afraid to pose stupid questions.’ Those stupid
questions may lead to the biggest news stories but who will know it until we ask it. A
thinking — about any subject, content, or problem — in which the thinker improves the
journalist will not settle for anything less in writing and reporting stories. As the meaning
says, there is reconstruction happening when critical thinking is present and that is the
information being improved and stories getting a deeper substance to which journalists must
always persevere in doing. Moreover, a journalist must also be critical in trusting because not
all sources of information are reliable and accurate. As Prof. Ordinario said, be suspicious of
all sources. A journalist is one who carefully weighs things including the sources of his/ her
news stories.
The third C is courageous because journalists must not be afraid to go on exposing the
truth and seeking it. There may be risks on the way as people will be stepped on just to report
the truth but a journalist bravely seeks the truth even in circumstances that newsgathering
becomes dangerous. Journalists, despite uncertainties and dangers, still go on pursuing and
exposing truth courageously. And despite all odds, they scrutinize the government and the
people in power for they know that this is what starts change in the nation.
The last C that I will use to describe a journalist is credible because a journalist must
always uphold ethical standards that will make the readers and viewers deem them
trustworthy and reliable. I believe that there is no sense in making news reports or stories if
no one will read or watch it. And the best way to be credible is to be ethical, fair, and honest
as a journalist pursues no one else’s interest other than the public’s interest or good.
With the complexity of defining journalism and describing a good journalist, it is
impossible to put it all in a single definition or trait but even if this is the case, journalism
must always possess the core of seeking the truth, centering it on people’s interest and
knowing and using its power for the good. And this will all be done and prioritized by good
https://www.britannica.com/topic/truth-philosophy-and-logic
http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/our-conception-of-critical-thinking/411
https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=SYsRAgAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&sour
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