Journalism as a CareerJournalism as a Career

Lecture TwoLecture Two

Nowadays some reporters ,especially those in Nowadays some reporters ,especially those in major TV network may become more famous major TV network may become more famous than many of the men and women they than many of the men and women they cover .But most never become quite so famouscover .But most never become quite so famous

Yet they play important roles in their Yet they play important roles in their communities and enjoy exciting and rewarding communities and enjoy exciting and rewarding careers careers

There is far more hard work than glory involved There is far more hard work than glory involved in being a journalist ,even those who gain some in being a journalist ,even those who gain some measure of fame and fortune do so because of measure of fame and fortune do so because of their talent and hard work their talent and hard work

In a democracy ,information is vital ,and in In a democracy ,information is vital ,and in information explosion that we witnessing the role information explosion that we witnessing the role of reporting is not only to report the of reporting is not only to report the information ,but also to analyze and interpret it information ,but also to analyze and interpret it to the public to the public

This is called management of news This is called management of news Through mass media the public gain most of the Through mass media the public gain most of the

information that has an impact on their daily lives information that has an impact on their daily lives That makes journalism a vital factor in the That makes journalism a vital factor in the

democratic societies democratic societies

A writer on current EventsA writer on current Events

Journalists are writers who deal mainly Journalists are writers who deal mainly with current events .with current events .

As contrasted with other some other types As contrasted with other some other types of writers who employ imagination in their of writers who employ imagination in their search for reader appeal ,reporters must search for reader appeal ,reporters must deal with facts deal with facts

Their major role is to record what has Their major role is to record what has happened and sometimes to interpret what happened and sometimes to interpret what has happened or might happen has happened or might happen

Occasionally ,reporters give their opinions on Occasionally ,reporters give their opinions on events they have reported ,but opinion events they have reported ,but opinion traditionally is not included in news stories traditionally is not included in news stories Opinions are expressed on the editorial pages Opinions are expressed on the editorial pages

The two distinctive functions of journalists are The two distinctive functions of journalists are gathering facts –more information than can be gathering facts –more information than can be used –and composing accurate and interesting used –and composing accurate and interesting stories with that informationstories with that information

Thus vitality ,motivation ,passion for facts and Thus vitality ,motivation ,passion for facts and ability to write is main characteristics for ability to write is main characteristics for journalists journalists

Newspapers and other media Newspapers and other media

The term ‘journalist ‘ as used above is The term ‘journalist ‘ as used above is interchangeable with ‘the newspaper reporting interchangeable with ‘the newspaper reporting ‘for reporting the news is fundamental to virtually ‘for reporting the news is fundamental to virtually all journalistic occupations all journalistic occupations

Despite the rapidly changing technology in the Despite the rapidly changing technology in the field of electronic communication and data banks field of electronic communication and data banks and other information storage systems and other information storage systems newspapers remain the chief permanent record newspapers remain the chief permanent record of current events of current events

This doesn’t imply ,however ,that careers in This doesn’t imply ,however ,that careers in journalism are largely limited to reporting and journalism are largely limited to reporting and editing editing

Many journalism school graduates find Many journalism school graduates find successful and fulfilling careers in newspaper successful and fulfilling careers in newspaper design and production as well as various design and production as well as various business functions in advertising and circulation business functions in advertising and circulation departments of newspapers departments of newspapers

Other media offer as many or more journalistic Other media offer as many or more journalistic opportunities ,but historically ,newspaper opportunities ,but historically ,newspaper reporting is the grandfather of all modern reporting is the grandfather of all modern journalistic careers journalistic careers

Reporting as a doorway to many Reporting as a doorway to many vocationsvocations

Experience as a newspaper reporter often Experience as a newspaper reporter often is the foundation for a variety of other is the foundation for a variety of other careers.careers.

A hurried check of the background of A hurried check of the background of public persons both living and dead will public persons both living and dead will produce an impressive list of former produce an impressive list of former newspaper reporters who became newspaper reporters who became ministers, ambassadors, actors, college ministers, ambassadors, actors, college professors, and even a president. professors, and even a president.

The history of Egyptian literature, for The history of Egyptian literature, for example, is laced with names of authors example, is laced with names of authors who were former newspaper reporters.who were former newspaper reporters.

In their list of former newspaper reporters In their list of former newspaper reporters who become ministers, ambassadors, who become ministers, ambassadors, actors, college professors, and even a actors, college professors, and even a president.president.

The history of Egyptian literature, for The history of Egyptian literature, for example, is laced with names of authors example, is laced with names of authors who were former newspaper reporter.who were former newspaper reporter.

In their long and illustrious life, Akhbar In their long and illustrious life, Akhbar Elyom and Alahram newspapers were the Elyom and Alahram newspapers were the training ground for poets, novelists, training ground for poets, novelists, screenwriters, critics and historians.screenwriters, critics and historians.

Intangible BenefitsIntangible Benefits::

The common reward for all newspaper The common reward for all newspaper men and women is being where the action men and women is being where the action is. They have a front seat at most public is. They have a front seat at most public events.events.

Even beginning reporters carry with them Even beginning reporters carry with them the influence of the newspaper, and doors the influence of the newspaper, and doors are opened that often remain closed to are opened that often remain closed to person in other professions. Reporters person in other professions. Reporters observe events in the making. observe events in the making.

Practical experience develop a reporter's Practical experience develop a reporter's character as perhaps no other schooling character as perhaps no other schooling can.can.

Reporters soon learn that not everyone Reporters soon learn that not everyone loves newspapers and that people-often loves newspapers and that people-often those in high places-will try to use those in high places-will try to use newspapers for their own gain. newspapers for their own gain.

They also learn quickly that not everyone They also learn quickly that not everyone in cooperative and some are hostile, if not in cooperative and some are hostile, if not violent, when reporters arrive.violent, when reporters arrive.

Nevertheless, the devoted reporter never Nevertheless, the devoted reporter never stops growing as a reporter, a writer and a stops growing as a reporter, a writer and a judge of others.judge of others.

And through it all, the serious reporter will And through it all, the serious reporter will develop and maintain a sense of personal develop and maintain a sense of personal and professional integrity.and professional integrity.

But some reporters lack manners, morals But some reporters lack manners, morals and integrity.and integrity.

Some, in fact, abuse their rights and Some, in fact, abuse their rights and morals and integrity. morals and integrity.

But most reporters, like other But most reporters, like other professionals with jobs to do, develop a professionals with jobs to do, develop a code of conduct and personal integrity in code of conduct and personal integrity in keeping with the responsible positions keeping with the responsible positions they hold in the community.they hold in the community.

Opportunities on newspapersOpportunities on newspapers

The future of most reporters in not limited, The future of most reporters in not limited, specially who have talents and ambition.specially who have talents and ambition.

A talented, self-disciplined ambitions A talented, self-disciplined ambitions reporter can become a big name news reporter can become a big name news writer whose by-line is readily recognized writer whose by-line is readily recognized and respected or columnist or and respected or columnist or commentator who analyzes current commentator who analyzes current events.events.

News writing opportunities are available News writing opportunities are available on many daily and weekly newspaper or on many daily and weekly newspaper or with partisan newspaper or with with partisan newspaper or with independent newspaper and a variety of independent newspaper and a variety of other organizations dealing in news.other organizations dealing in news.

Another newspaper career open to the Another newspaper career open to the reporter is the field of editing. reporter is the field of editing.

In general, editors supervise the news-gathering In general, editors supervise the news-gathering activities of reporters, review and copy read their activities of reporters, review and copy read their stories, write headlines and plan the design of stories, write headlines and plan the design of the pages using their stories, write pictures.the pages using their stories, write pictures.

These responsibilities generally do not include These responsibilities generally do not include gathering and writing news, but some persons gathering and writing news, but some persons carrying the title of editor may have fewer or carrying the title of editor may have fewer or more duties than those mentioned here. more duties than those mentioned here.

The sciences editor, sports editor, education The sciences editor, sports editor, education editor, and other staff members with similar titles editor, and other staff members with similar titles are generally be-lined reporters who specialized are generally be-lined reporters who specialized in one area of journalism, but some of these in one area of journalism, but some of these editors may also edit copy and headlines.editors may also edit copy and headlines.

The editor of a small daily or weekly newspaper The editor of a small daily or weekly newspaper usually combines news writing and editing and usually combines news writing and editing and sometimes is responsible for business sometimes is responsible for business management as well. management as well.

The duties of the principle editor of a daily The duties of the principle editor of a daily newspaper may be limited to writing newspaper may be limited to writing editorials, supervising the entire staff and editorials, supervising the entire staff and making policy decisions.making policy decisions.

The publisher is the chief officer of the The publisher is the chief officer of the news paper, responsible for its entire news paper, responsible for its entire operation, business, and mechanical. operation, business, and mechanical.

Opportunities in other field:Opportunities in other field:

Although the editorial departments of Although the editorial departments of newspapers do not like to be considered newspapers do not like to be considered as training grounds for other professionals, as training grounds for other professionals, the truth is that some reporters leave after the truth is that some reporters leave after several years of experience to take several years of experience to take positions in variety other fields.positions in variety other fields.

Reporting is an valuable introduction to life Reporting is an valuable introduction to life at many points.at many points.

Because reporters go everywhere and Because reporters go everywhere and meet hundreds of people, they can make meet hundreds of people, they can make excellent contacts and learn of other excellent contacts and learn of other opportunities that might be available to opportunities that might be available to them. them.

Often the skills develop in gathering facts,, Often the skills develop in gathering facts,, interviewing people and writing news will interviewing people and writing news will increase a reporter’s chances for success.increase a reporter’s chances for success.

The world of business and public service The world of business and public service are well populated with men and women are well populated with men and women who their start on newspapers. who their start on newspapers.

But by far most of the reporters leaving But by far most of the reporters leaving newspapers work, find employment in related newspapers work, find employment in related journalistic areas-press associations; general journalistic areas-press associations; general circulation magazines; trade journals and circulation magazines; trade journals and industrial publication; radio an associations.industrial publication; radio an associations.

Ad. Is another large field that frequently absorbs Ad. Is another large field that frequently absorbs individuals with newspaper experience, for individuals with newspaper experience, for journalistic techniques are applied in its various journalistic techniques are applied in its various communications efforts.communications efforts.

Finally, the newspaper is a splendid training Finally, the newspaper is a splendid training ground for creative writers.ground for creative writers.

Many successful authors and playwrights of Many successful authors and playwrights of yesterday and today acquired their basic training yesterday and today acquired their basic training as newspaper writers.as newspaper writers.

The varied experience and constant practice in The varied experience and constant practice in the careful and precise use of the language the careful and precise use of the language provide an excellent basis for literary provide an excellent basis for literary achievement. achievement.

Qualifications of reporter Qualifications of reporter

What makes a good reporter? There What makes a good reporter? There probably are as many answer to that probably are as many answer to that question as there are reports, for few question as there are reports, for few agree completely on what makes a good agree completely on what makes a good reporter.reporter.

How, most do acknowledge that, although How, most do acknowledge that, although some persons are better fitted than others some persons are better fitted than others to become reporters, it is not true that to become reporters, it is not true that reporters are born and not made. reporters are born and not made.

Given reasonable intelligence, most of the Given reasonable intelligence, most of the attributes of a successful reporter are acquired, attributes of a successful reporter are acquired, not inherited.not inherited.

Perhaps the best qualification for a reporter are Perhaps the best qualification for a reporter are curiosity, a flexible, and social personality, a curiosity, a flexible, and social personality, a nature that rely on a variety of experiences, work nature that rely on a variety of experiences, work under the pressure of deadlines and a tolerance under the pressure of deadlines and a tolerance permitting objective observation, drive, permitting objective observation, drive, determination and, most certainly, self-discipline.determination and, most certainly, self-discipline.

The professional journalists need to be a The professional journalists need to be a self-operating, productive, caring, self-operating, productive, caring, supportive, visionary, sensitive confident, supportive, visionary, sensitive confident, responsible, active, distinctive, finally, responsible, active, distinctive, finally, impelled “ if you wake up writing try a impelled “ if you wake up writing try a different trade”. different trade”.

ThanksThanks