Hem Bishwakarma

What is Journalism?

Journalism is the practice of gathering, reporting, and writing about current events and breaking news. It entails researching and verifying information, presenting the information in a clear and accurate manner, and disseminating the information through media such as print, television, radio, or online platforms.

Journalists uncover and report on important events and issues that affect society, and they frequently work under tight deadlines and in difficult conditions. They may cover a wide range of subjects, such as politics, economics, science, sports, arts, and culture. Journalism’s goal is to inform the public about important events and issues while also providing a forum for public discussion and debate.

Types of Journalism

There are numerous types of journalism, and journalists may choose to specialize in one or more of them. Some examples of common types of journalism are:

  1. New Journalism: News journalism is concerned with reporting current events and news stories. News journalists can work for newspapers, television news programs, or online news outlets, and they can cover a variety of topics such as politics, economics, sports, and entertainment.
  2. Investigative Journalism: Investigative journalists work to uncover and report on significant stories that are not widely known or understood. This type of journalism frequently entails extensive research and fact-checking, as well as the investigation of corruption, wrongdoing, or other forms of misconduct.
  3. Opinion journalism: Opinion journalism expresses the journalist’s or media outlet’s views and opinions. Editorials, columns, and op-eds are examples of this, and they frequently involve the analysis and interpretation of events and issues.
  4. Opinion journalism: Opinion journalism expresses the journalist’s or media outlet’s views and opinions. Editorials, columns, and op-eds are examples of this, and they frequently involve the analysis and interpretation of events and issues.
  5. Feature Journalism: It is a type of journalism that focuses on long-form, in-depth stories about people, places, or events. These stories may be more narrative in nature, with personal anecdotes or historical context.
  6. Sports journalism: It covers sports events and news, and it may include game results reporting, interviews with players and coaches, and trend and strategy analysis.
  7. Business journalism: It is concerned with the economy and financial markets, and it may include coverage of companies, industries, and economic trends.
  8. Science journalism: Science journalism covers scientific research and discoveries, and it may include reporting on medical, technological, and environmental breakthroughs.
  9. Arts and culture journalism: This type of journalism covers events and trends in the arts and culture, and it may include reporting on concerts, theater performances, and art exhibitions.

What is Yellow Journalism?

The Spanish-American War is known as the first “media war.” During the 1890s, sensationalized—and sometimes even manufactured—dramatic events were a powerful force that propelled the United States into war with Spain. Journalism in the 1890s, led by newspaper owners William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, used melodrama, romance, and hyperbole to sell millions of newspapers—a style known as yellow journalism.

Pulitzer responded by commissioning another cartoonist to create a second yellow kid. Soon, the 1890s sensationalist press became a competition between the “yellow kids,” and the journalistic style was dubbed “yellow journalism.”

The term “yellow journalism” was derived from a popular New York World comic book called “Hogan’s Alley,” which featured a yellow-dressed character known as “the yellow kid.” Determined to compete in every way with Pulitzer’s World, rival New York Journal owner William Randolph Hearst copied Pulitzer’s sensationalist style and even hired “Hogan’s Alley” artist R.F. Are often away from the World.

Pulitzer responded by commissioning another cartoonist to create a second yellow kid. Soon, the 1890s sensationalist press became a competition between the “yellow kids,” and the journalistic style was dubbed “yellow journalism.”

To sell newspapers, yellow journals such as the New York Journal and the New York World relied on sensationalist headlines. William Randolph Hearst recognized that a war with Cuba would not only sell his papers, but would also propel him to national prominence. From Cuba, Hearst’s star reporters wrote stories intended to touch Americans’ hearts. Horrible stories filled the newspapers about the situation in Cuba—female prisoners, executions, valiant rebels fighting, and starving women and children.

It is true that the press fueled the public’s desire for war. The mood for Cuban intervention could have been very different if there had not been sensational headlines and stories about Cuban affairs

The sinking of the battleship Maine in Havana Harbor, however, provided Hearst with his big story—war. With no evidence, the Hearst newspapers blamed the Spanish for the sinking of the Maine, and public opinion in the United States quickly demanded intervention.

Historians consider the Spanish-American War to be the first press-driven war. Although claiming that Hearst and the other yellow journalists started the war is an exaggeration, it is true that the press fueled the public’s desire for war. The mood for Cuban intervention could have been very different if there had not been sensational headlines and stories about Cuban affairs. The United States emerged as a world power at the turn of the twentieth century, and the American press demonstrated its power.

Elements of Journalism

The elements of journalism are the basic principles that guide journalists’ work. These elements, known as the “journalistic code of ethics,” include the following:

  • Truth and Accuracy: Journalists have a responsibility to report the truth in an accurate and fair manner. This includes checking sources and verifying facts before publishing or broadcasting a story.
  • Independence: Journalists must be independent and free of any outside influence or bias.
  • Fairness: Journalists should present all sides of a story and report in a fair and balanced manner.
  • Impartiality: Journalists should avoid taking sides or expressing personal opinions in their reporting.
  • Humanity: Humanity requires journalists to respect the dignity and rights of others, particularly those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged.
  • Accountability: Journalists must accept responsibility for their actions and the accuracy and fairness of their reporting.

These elements help to ensure that the information presented to the public is trustworthy and reliable. They also contribute to the integrity of the journalism profession by holding journalists to high ethical standards.

Who is a Journalist?

A journalist is someone who gathers, writes, and reports on news and information for the general public. Writing articles for newspapers, magazines, or websites; producing news programs for television or radio; or reporting on events and issues for social media or other platforms are all examples of this.

Journalists can work for news organizations such as media outlets or as independent contractors. They may also focus on a specific area of reporting, such as politics, sports, or arts and culture.

Journalists must conduct research, gather and verify information, and write and present it in a clear and concise manner. They may also help with the production and distribution of their work, such as editing, layout, and design.

To be considered a journalist, a person must typically adhere to journalistic principles such as truth, accuracy, fairness, and impartiality. They should also be able to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to responsibly and ethically gather and report on news and information.

Types of Journalists

  • Print journalists are those who write for newspapers, magazines, or other printed publications.
  • Broadcast journalists are those who cover news and events for television or radio.
  • Online journalists are journalists who cover news and events for websites, blogs, and social media platforms.
  • Multimedia journalists are journalists who use text, audio, video, and other digital media to report on news and events.
  • Specialized journalists are those journalists who specialize in a specific area of reporting, such as politics, sports, business, or arts and culture, are examples of specialized journalists.
  • Freelance journalists are journalists who work on their own and are not affiliated with any news organization. They may write articles or create other forms of media for a variety of outlets.

 

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