What Is Journalism?

I believe that “journalism” is the act of gathering and disseminating information or news that one deems important and valuable. Because of this, I think that in today’s world, anyone who uses a mass communication medium (i.e. newspapers, blogs, forums, etc.) to report on news or other issues can be regarded as a journalist. However, this doesn’t mean everyone is a professional. There have been several court cases throughout the country in recent years which stemmed from bloggers, or other amateur journalists, claiming protection under “shield laws.” These laws were instituted to protect freedom of the press, but are now under scrutiny as technology evolves. Perhaps in the next few years, courts will catch up to the rapidly changing landscape of online journalism, and extend some protection to bloggers. But at this point in time, many courts are yet to do so.

So while I believe that anyone who wishes to report on news, current events, or social issues through blogs or independent websites can be regarded, to an extent, as a “journalist,” they have to acknowledge their amateurism. Despite this, I believe it’s important to give credit to these writers, because although they may not be professionals, ordinary people can have big things to say about society. The growth of this participatory attitude in online news media is a wonderful example of democracy in action, and should be encouraged.

Demonstrating the power of technology in modern news media, this iconic picture of a Russian child riding a bike during Russia's election protests was taken on an iPhone. Called "Moscow's Tiananmen Square" by many, the photo was widely circulated on Twitter by the reporter who took the photo, New Yorker magazine correspondent Julia Ioffe.