Journalism for Kids : Chapter 5 : Duties of Journalism
So far, you have read about newspapers and how news is gathered and printed. This gathering and printing of news for sending it out in newspapers, magazines or on radio or TV is best described by a single word – Journalism. In other words, journalism means gathering, writing, editing and printing news. Journalists are reporters who gather information for their newspaper.
Journalism is one of the most important professions today. It keeps people all over the world informed about whatever is happening around the world. Journalists use several means of communication, called news media, to inform people about current affairs. In several democratic countries, people depend on the media to get a fair and truthful account of events taking place. In these countries, the media, or press, has the freedom to publish the truth about all events taking place in the country and abroad. These nations grant the press the freedom to report news without any interference from the government. Freedom of press does not exist in all countries.
The duties of journalism are many in a democratic country. These duties include informing the public, protecting public interest, influencing public opinion, and entertaining the public.
Informing the public is the main duty of journalism.
People need correct information about events happening around the world and so, it is extremely necessary for a journalist to tell all sides of a story. Journalists also have to decide which events have enough importance or news value to be reported.
Another important duty of journalism is protecting public interest. Many news organizations feel that it is their duty to inform the public about any dishonesty in the government of that country, improper management of public money, or some corrupt business practices and so on. Some newspapers handle complaints from citizens. These complaints could be regarding bad roads, water or electricity shortage, poor repair work etc.
Many news organizations encourage certain actions that they think will benefit the society. For example, an editorial might encourage people to approve of a certain candidate for elections. This is called influencing public opinion.
Radio and television are the main entertainment media. Serials, films, shows, concerts, and a host of other entertainment programs are relayed on TV and broadcast on the radio. Newspapers and newsmagazines contain crosswords, comic strips, travel sections, hobbies, reviews of books, and a lot more.
Written by admin on May 14th, 2007 with no comments.
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