"What is journalism?" A live discussion with CAJ report author Patrick Brethour
On Thursday, July 19 we held an online talk about the CAJ Ethics Comittee's latest report: What is Journalism?
The report identified three criteria that must be met in order for something to be considered journalism: A combination of evidence-based research with storytelling to inform communities about issues they value; An element of original production and; a conscious decision to provide clear and accurate facts, opinion and debate within a situation.
These criteria are just a jumping off point, though; the report's authors want it to serve as part of the conversation about the role our profession plays in a rapidly-evolving media environment.
Report author Patrick Brethour will be answering your questions and engaging in discussion about what journalism is. The live chat will be moderated by J-Source ethics editor Romayne Smith Fullerton.
Read the transcript of the chat here or search the hashtag #WhatIsJournalism on Twitter to see what was said.
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Comments
During the live chat today, there were a number of questions we were not able to address due to time constraints. I'd like to post them here, in an effort to continue the conversation. Please add to it as you see fit.
"I wondered about this point in your brief: "An honest representation of intent to sources." Would that interfere with undercover reporting?" — Penney
"I do like the points in #3, which describe best practices in journalism, especially your decision to eschew "balance" as a goal. I'm having heated discussions right now because some colleagues omitted your second point, about offering opportunity for rebuttal. But I wonder if there is reason to acknowledge specifically that most stories have more than *two* sides." — Penney
Re: The question about compensation. "It's not WHAT you're paid, but WHETHER you're paid. If you aren't paid to practice journalism, then I argue you aren't a journalist." — Joe Banks
"Why should journalists be defining journalism? What is the role of others -- readers, for example -- in this discussion?" — Mark Hamilton
And from Twitter, via the #WhatIsJournalism hashtag:
"How does the Climate Change eg hold up against earlier comment re: political reporting vs propaganda & Nabbous" — Alexis Beckett (@whenshesaid)
"Should a journalist also lead an upstanding and ethical life or just write about it?" — Agota Szabo Artist (@ASzaboArtist)
A few comments.
1) "Its central purpose is to inform communities about topics or issues that they value." Journalists do not always know what will or will not be valued. In some cases, and I am thinking of science writing, the value of the story may not be readily apparent, nor identified. In many cases that is the purpose of writing the story - to bring facts into awareness and followed by debate and discussion.
2) Story telling today can include graphics. Maps, augmented reality, simulations and illustrations are all part of the media toolbox for conveying stories. Organisations like the International Cartographic Association, 3D.org and national spatial information agencies are now engaged in formal discussion about what constitutes accurate graphics. The author Mark Monmonier, for example, wrote a book long ago on 'How to Lie With Maps'. In the 3D realm there are discussions on representing 3D scenes truthfully.
3) Most of my experience has been in delivering global online magazines. I find that the role for journalist is shifting and stories are often generated by many people in a interactive, participatory way. Many tools are in place for making this happen now, but a principle point few people pursue relates to what does the information mean? Journalists act as conduits between information-knowledge. How do we identify journalists who weave these fabrics of technology with humans and what boundaries are there?
Keep up the good work.
Jeff