Today at a
film festival in Glasgow (which will remain anonymous) I encountered an
organiser who thought it was laughable that I considered myself a journalist
when I am “just a blogger” and only write for “a student magazine and radio
station.” This got me wondering why students and bloggers are not considered “real”
journalists by some members of the industry.
“Just a Blogger?”
“Blogs compete with mainstream media
every day. In some cases, they have become more trustworthy as sources of
information than some old school practitioners.” - Ellyn Angelotti, The Poynter Institute (The New York Times)
In the current internet-age most professionals seem to agree that
online writing is going to play a huge part in the media’s future. People with
blogs should be taken seriously. Their writing is usually high quality, and,
they spread the word. Fast. In fact some bloggers have become so successful
they make their living from it. Heather Armstrong has been writing online since
2001 and advertising from her blog, “Dooce”, has been her household income
since 2005. She is one of the best-known personal bloggers of the 21st
century. Kottke, also, has had great success from blogging. (The Guardian) His
blog about breaking news and trends often reaching the public before other
organisations have released it.
People have to start taking bloggers seriously.
The Student Journalist – Myth or Reality?
The views on whether you can be considered a journalist when you are a student vary among professionals and students themselves. But, there have been examples of successful student journalists. Student, Annie Reed, requested an interview with Eminem, who barely speaks to the press, for her student paper. The rapper himself called her back allowing her a ten minute interview with him, proving one of the most notable moments in student journalism. (http://www.onlinecollegecourses.com) But the bigger problem with this is that organisations should be allowing for giving opportunities to future journalists to let them be the best that they can.
Ellyn Angelotti, The Poynter Institute, said: “Instead of focusing on who is doing the publishing, it is more important than ever to look at how they are doing it.”(The New York Times)
I believe this to be true and that
there are little gems of stories to be found in some of the most unlikely
places. Being a “real” journalist depends not on whom you are writing for, but
what you are writing and the quality that it is.
Leave your comment on whether you believe a student or blogger can be a
real journalist below.
Sources:
