so...i'm trying to figure out if my definition of a journalist has actually changed...i mean...we've talked about SO much in relation to who they are, what they do, how they do it, why they are motivated to find and cover the breaking stories...but you know...my opinion hasnt really changed that much. in fact, i would have to say that it has actually been...fortified, for lack of a better word.
i look around me, and all i see are journalists. in fact, sitting down here in Legends Grille, a girl just ran over to her friend and started telling her a story about some boy that she saw a few hours before. she just HAD to tell her! i remember at one point we had a big discussion about the words that people use when they are reporting on a story and how it can totally change the meaning and the context...so i suppose after some serious thought, calling everyone (including that twitterpated girl) a journalist, just isnt fair. i guess we should classify those people as...well...kibbitzers and gossipers. (kibbitzer-one who passes on unsolicited information and advice).
the journalist has responsibility. the other two clearly dont. they only have to worry about what their friends will think...but a journalist has to think about the serious repercussions that could take place because of a story being aired or written. their stories will be (ideally) read by hundreds, even thousands. they are turning people into public figures, at times.
journalists have power. your every day gossiper has self proclaimed power. and i think that's what ultimately separates the journalist from the...person. journalists have responsibility. they have a job. their job is to get the story. their job is to find out the information. they do these things and they get paid for it. but the regular person doesnt have this incentive...they only have their self indulgence and ego to worry about.
but the best part, one is incomplete without the other. i feel like if we only had professional journalists, lots of stories wouldnt get covered. because the CITIZEN journalist is very very important. because, once again, they arent paid. they arent contracted out and they have no loyalties to anyone except the other citizens...who are the people that they care most about. but citizen journalists cant do everything either...because there is only so much motivation, and only so many resources available to them...what a sick sick circle.
