QUALITIES IN JOURNALISM

Journalism is the production and distribution of reports on current events based on facts and
supported with proof or evidence

Concepts of the appropriate role for journalism vary between countries. In some nations, the
news media are controlled by government intervention and are not fully independent.

In others, the news media are independent of the government but instead operate as private
industry motivated by profit. In addition to the varying nature of how media organizations are
run and funded, countries may have differing implementations of laws handling the freedom
of speech

The proliferation of the Internet and smartphones has brought significant changes to the
media landscape since the turn of the 21st century. This has created a shift in the consumption
of print media channels, as people increasingly consume news through e-readers,
smartphones, and other personal electronic devices, as opposed to the more traditional
formats of newspapers, magazines, or television news channels

PRINCIPLES OF JOURNALISM

1. Truth and Accuracy

Journalists cannot always guarantee ‘truth’, but getting the facts right is the cardinal
principle of journalism. We should always strive for accuracy; give all the relevant facts
we have and ensure that they have been checked

2. Independence

Journalists must be independent voices; we should not act, formally or informally, on

behalf of special interests whether political, corporate or cultural. We should declare to
our editors – or the audience – any of our political affiliations, financial arrangements or
other personal information that might constitute a conflict of interest.

3. Fairness and Impartiality

Most stories have at least two sides. While there is no obligation to present every side in
every piece, stories should be balanced and add context. Objectivity is not always
possible, and may not always be desirable (in the face for example of brutality or
inhumanity), but impartial reporting builds trust and confidence.
 4. Humanity

Journalists should do no harm. What we publish or broadcast may be hurtful, but we

should be aware of the impact of our words and images on the lives of others.

5. Accountability

A sure sign of professionalism and responsible journalism is the ability to hold ourselves
accountable. When we commit errors, we must correct them and our expressions of regret
must be sincere not cynical. We listen to the concerns of our audience

TOOLS

An investigative reporter may make use of one or more of these tools, among others, on a
single story:

• Documents: such as lawsuits and other legal documents, tax records, government reports,
regulatory reports, and corporate financial filings. Databases of public records.

• Investigation of technical issues, including scrutiny of government and business practices

and their effects.

• Research into social and legal issues.

• Numerous interviews with on-the-record sources as well as, in some instances, interviews
with anonymous sources (for example whistleblowers).

• Federal or state Freedom of Information Acts to obtain documents and data from
government agencies. Ex., RTI

JOURNALISM AND SOCIETY: A NOTE ON JOURNALISM IN INDIA

Journalism and society are closely related, supporting each other's growth and progress.

Journalism acts as a mirror, reflecting society's realities, challenges, and dreams. It gives a
voice to diverse individuals, sheds light on social issues, and raises awareness about
marginalised perspectives.
In India, journalism has played a vital role in addressing gender inequality, caste
discrimination and environmental concerns.

Journalism promotes democratic values by providing essential information for informed

decision-making. It enables citizens to participate in the democratic process actively, ensuring
transparency and accountability in governance. During elections in India, journalism is
crucial in informing voters about political parties, candidates, and policies.

Journalism influences public opinion and shapes social discussions. Indian media outlets have
influenced debates on sensitive issues like religious tensions, social justice, and human rights.
Journalism can sway public sentiment and drive social change through reporting, analysis,
and opinion pieces.

Changing Form of Journalism and Social Impact

Journalism in India has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, driven by the
emergence of digital platforms and a shifting media landscape. Digital journalism has
introduced new storytelling techniques, including multimedia content, interactive articles, and
data journalism. Online news outlets in India have embraced these innovative approaches,
incorporating videos, infographics, and interactive elements to enhance audience engagement
and understanding

The advent of social media has made it easier for news and information to be shared, but it
has also facilitated the spread of misinformation. Traditional news outlets have faced a
decline, resulting in a decrease in the availability of high-quality journalism. Twitter,
Facebook, and Instagram have played significant roles in disseminating news and promoting
social movements in India, showcasing the power of digital journalism in shaping public
discourse.

Additionally, the increasing threat of censorship has posed challenges for journalists in
performing their duties effectively.

The continued rise of social media will pose challenges for traditional news outlets.
Journalists must explore innovative methods to reach a broader audience and find sustainable
ways to monetise their content.

With the decline of traditional news outlets, there may be a decrease in the availability of
high-quality journalism. Consequently, supporting credible journalism becomes even more
vital for the public. The growing threat of censorship will further complicate the work of
journalists. Therefore, journalists must maintain their independence and diligently verify their
sources.

The changing form of journalism in India has had a profound social impact, empowering
marginalised communities to share their stories, raise awareness about social issues, and
mobilise for change. Online campaigns and digital journalism have played pivotal roles in
highlighting topics such as gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmental conservation.

Moreover, the accessibility of digital journalism has democratised access to information,

enabling people in remote areas of India to stay informed through digital news platforms on
their smartphones. However, challenges have emerged alongside these advancements,
including spreading misinformation, disrupting traditional business models, and concerns
over privacy and data security.

Journalists and media organisations in India face these challenges while upholding ethical
standards and preserving public trust in the digital age.

Social Responsibility of Journalism

Informing and Educating the Public: Journalists are responsible for providing accurate and
timely information to the public, enabling them to make informed decisions. During the
COVID-19 pandemic, journalists played a vital role in disseminating crucial information
about the virus, preventive measures, and vaccine updates, helping to educate the public and
curb the spread of misinformation.

Promoting Transparency and Accountability: Journalists act as watchdogs, holding those

in power accountable and exposing corruption or wrongdoing. Investigative journalists have
exposed numerous scams, such as the 2G spectrum scam and the Commonwealth Games
corruption scandal, leading to public outrage, legal actions, and calls for systemic reforms.

Giving Voice to the Marginalised: Journalists are responsible for amplifying marginalised
communities' voices, giving them a platform to share their stories and concerns. Journalists
have highlighted the struggles and discrimination faced by Dalits, tribal communities, and
other marginalised groups, bringing attention to their social issues and advocating for justice
and equality.
Raising Awareness and Advocating for Social Issues: Journalists can play an instrumental
role in raising awareness about pressing social issues, such as gender inequality,
environmental degradation, and human rights violations. The media's coverage of the
#MeToo movement in India shed light on widespread sexual harassment and assault, leading
to a national dialogue, legal action against perpetrators, and increased awareness about
workplace harassment.

Fostering Dialogue and Constructive Discourse: Journalists should facilitate meaningful

conversations on important topics, encouraging diverse perspectives and promoting tolerance
and understanding. Opinion pieces and panel discussions have provided platforms for experts
and stakeholders to discuss contentious issues like religious tensions, social justice, and
political ideologies, fostering dialogue and shaping public opinion.

QUALITIES

Capability to ‘Smell News’

To smell news means to be able to you should be able to foretell that whether a particular
information or incident has any news value or not or whether they are being concealed. This
is not a quality which can be acquired overnight. It can be developed only by working in the
field for a long time

Thorough Knowledge
For being a good journalist, you need to be aware of the current events. Read a wide range of
both print and digital medium of news sources to stay updated on the happening events. Also,
you need to have some background knowledge before you go out to cover a story and write
on it. Your ability to research to find out the important details of a story is quite helpful.

Extroverted and Sociable Nature

A professional journalist can never be an introverted writer. Generally, an unsociable person
cannot become a competent journalist. Journalists are required to meet innumerous persons
daily, win the confidence of the others and create sources. Investigative journalism is the
order of the day; people are interested in knowing about the activities going on behind the
scenes and to collect such news stories it is imperative for a journalist to be extroverted.

Investigative Skills
A journalist relies on facts and evidence, not on emotions while working on a story. An ideal
journalist should be observant and possess strong analytical skills to assess a situation if there
is something more to it. Whether it is about confirming the credibility of sources or assessing
an incident, a journalist should know how to weight a situation critically. Sound judgment to
verify the information before drafting the story is equally significant.

Effective Communication Skills

Like any other field, effective communication skills are essential for an ideal journalist. If
you know your way with people, you can understand them then you can extract relevant
information for a story. An ideal journalist should also know how to take control of a
situation if the interview goes wrong. Journalists should be proficient in English and be well-
versed to file a story that would attract the target audience.

Capability to form ‘contacts’ or ‘sources’ and maintain them

It is important that the trustworthiness of ‘contacts’ or ‘information sources’ should be
frequently appraised but, at the same discipline within a team then it would certainly prove to
be very useful for them in securing a better professional future.
Proximity - We understand news only in terms of our environment and experience. Readers
read the news report in terms of their own interest and in relation to their immediate
environment. The closer the place is geographically to the readers, the more the value of the
news item. If all things are kept common, then interest decreases as the distance increases.
Principle of proximity is important and widely evident in the local newspapers. A typical
news consumer is interested in familiar faces and familiar places. This news value has two
aspects:

Local news of national importance

National news of local importance.

Prominence - News about people or events that are widely known. All that is already
famous, or newsworthy is given due attention by the media. For example: Coverage of
Olympics, speech delivered by the Prime Minister etc.
Even if you are a fresher and in your internship phase, you should consider yourself a
professional. What professionalism means in the journalism field is meeting deadlines, ready
to take up work before regular working hours and have the courage to accept criticism from
the editors. Also, journalists should reflect confidence in order to succeed. However, you
should always be eager to learn from your limitations and enhance your skills.
Rarity - Anything unusual, odd or uncommon. It is common in journalistic parlance to say, '
if dog bites a man it is not news but if man bites dog it is news.' Anything out of ordinary has
an element of human interest and is therefore considered newsworthy. Example: A tigress
looks after three puppies in the zoo.
Human Interest - Refers to that which touches the common man and affects his emotions and
feelings. Human interest stones are off shoots of a news report. Any news report can contain
within itself a human-interest story. This is a featured piece of writing which provides some
respite in the newspaper from the serious news
Persistence and Discipline
The profession of journalism requires hard work and persistence. Sometimes you might be
chasing a story for months to get a lead and hit the newspapers. During such times, an ideal
journalist should not give up following on a story and must remain disciplined. The ultimate
motive of any journalist should be to find the truth and seek justice in all matters even if he or
she has received recognition for their efforts.

Ethics are Important Too

With so much of competition to move ahead in the race, sometimes journalists abandon their
ethics for money and fame. A good journalist should always behave ethically and never
follow illegal measures even if it helps in uncovering the secrets behind a story. Accuracy and
honest should be more important while writing a new piece.
To be able to perform under various internal and external pressures
When reporters publish or air a report which may go against the interests of certain
individuals, they try to pressurize the reporters for not publishing such reports by offering
them bribes or intimidating them with various unlawful means.
Besides, government and publicists also pressurize journalists. The pressure for withholding
news may come from the management of the newspaper, the government or from various
political parties. If publication of a report may prove detrimental to the future prospects of
any individual or organization then they may try to pressurize you by various lawful or
unlawful means.
You can be intimidated and demoralized by various threats or by violence. There can be
following three ways to counter pressure:
1. Face the pressure.
2. Cave in to the pressure and modify your story according to the requirements of the
pressure group.
3. Analyse the pressure and act accordingly

From print to electronic, from newspapers to magazines, the profession of journalism requires
some important personality traits and significant skills to succeed. If you are planning to
pursue a career in journalism, you should question yourself if you have these essential skills.