The Profession of Journalism

I think today its easy to be called a "journalist". Anyone with a blog or a twitter account could easily say that they are a journalist. But, here's my opinion. To actually be able to consider yourself a journalist, I believe you need to have credibility. You need to have some sort of a reputable past. Just because someone has a blog or a twitter account does not deem you a real-life, honest to goodness journalist. Here's why. 

Look at this blog. Its just a regular blog, talking about someone's life. Does that deem this person a journalist because they post their stories or opinions on a blog? Here's a secret. It's my personal blog. By looking at it, would you consider me a journalist? No. There is nothing on there to make anyone consider what I had to write about the day of "journalistic value". 

This blog, however, talks about journalism and opinions. Does that make this author a journalist? In my opinion no, and here's why. 

I think just because someone decides to create a twitter account or a blog with their opinions, does not make them an actual journalist. My views may be skewed because I am actually getting a degree in journalism. I'm working hard and paying money to get a degree so I can call myself a journalist. I don't believe people with blogs like this one, really are true journalists. Yes, their opinions are discussable, and even valid. But if thats the case, there are thousands of journalists in the world. Thousands. Then why on earth am I going to school for journalism? 

I think its important to recognize that journalism is an expounding market. There are things like blogs and twitter and the internet that people have never been able to truly access before. This makes getting facts and opinions out quicker than ever, making journalism a fast paced, competitive market. But again, I feel like just because those options are out there does not make the authors of them, journalists. 

This blog, for example, is a perfect example of a journalist as an author. Credible source, journalism background, and reliable information. 

Lets say Kobe Bryant made a blog. He is a big name. He is someone who is marketable. If he writes on his blog, does that make him a journalist? No, that makes him an athlete with a blog. Does what i'm saying make sense here? He has a twitter. Does that make him a journalist now? 

I guess I maybe feel differently than everyone else. But I feel like with how unreliable some outlets of media are today, its better to trust reliable sources with reliable journalists rather than just random people with opinions and facts. A journalist's job is to report information. Excuse me if I decide not to listen to you if you don't have a reputable past and organization with work experience behind you. 

-kim