Journalism in more than a job. Nobody becomes a journalist because they need a job, there are far easier and less stressful jobs out there. Is it really more than a job and more of a calling?
Kenneth Harwood seems to have a romanticised view of journalism in this piece. It seems that journalism cannot be taught or learnt and it is only possible to nurture skills that are already present. Journalists can be considered watchdogs for society and uphold their duty to the masses by reporting events and scandals as they happen. A journalist, in its purest form, does not work for personal gain and only reports the truth. Every code of journalistic ethics speaks of honesty in reporting. It is possible to see journalists who go that extra mile in order to report what needs to be reported. For example, journalists in war zones are putting themselves in highly dangerous situation everyday in order for the masses to know of what is going on. This does not seem like the kind of job that someone does simply because they can, they have to have a love for their job and a love for journalism in order to place themselves in this position.
An enquiring mind and a hunger for news and truth are all important elements for a journalist. Blogger, Lianne McKoewn, disagress with this in part and says that journalists have to have an initial talent but its a career that is part nature and part nuture. She states that potential cannot be realised until they are brought out in the person with additional training.
