Imagine a world without journalism. Just imagine a democracy without its fourth pillar.
Journalism is an art of anticipation of events. Everyone has a different explanation for journalism. Mahatma Gandhi the father of the nation was the editor of three newspapers Indian opinion, young India, and Harijan. He attributed three objectives for journalism;
1. To understand popular feelings and give them expression.
2. To arouse among people certain desirable sentiments.
3. To fearlessly expose popular defects.
To be in a profession like journalism you should have enough guts, above average writing skills, and especially you should know the power of the pen, paper, and voice. Journalism is merely history’s first draft.
If you want to enter a field like journalism?
As journalism is getting modernized everyone wants to contribute to this field. It’s really a good thing but, before entering this field everyone should know the basic types of journalism. Journalism is having myriads of types and has a vast scope for each of them. Mainly, journalism has nine types ;
such as 1. Investigative journalism, 2. Watchdog journalism 3. Online journalism, 4. broadcasting journalism, 5. Opinion, 6. Sports journalism, 7. Trade, 8. Entertainment journalism, and 9. Political journalism.
Each and every type is unique and ethical in its own way.
1. Investigative journalism:- This field is known for its risk. The word itself says the investigation, the crime reporter has to go to the field and he may ask the eyewitnesses, victims, and criminals, too. It is one of the riskiest fields because you have to sacrifice your life while you are on the field. You need to go to the crime scenes, national borders, etc. This field either can be in print or broadcasting. Even in broadcasting, you can be on the field or off the field. Sometimes you even have to investigate some crimes, search operations, and do sting operations. It's never going to be easy in this field until and unless you are courageous. Be bold to join this.
2. Watchdog:- This field can also be in print media and broadcast media. You have to keep an eye on the social issues going on around. And make sure that they are getting solved by the authorities. In this field, it's important for you to raise your voice in a positive way.
3. Online journalism:- In this busy world everyone wants to be updated about the world but, they don't have time to go through the newspapers and news channels. Everyone prefers social media news. This is the most modern and highly technical field. It has different branches in itself such as sports, entertainment, science, and many more. You can sit at a particular place and operate your website by uploading daily news. This field is also off-field and on-field. You can either go and collect the news from outside or you can sit and edit the news and upload it.
4. Broadcasting journalism:- You all must be thinking this is all about tv shows and radio right? Yes, you all are right but it's much more than that. Even in this field, you can be offscreen and onscreen. Off-screen in the sense of editing, technology, sound, etc, and onscreen is the anchor. This is one of the most common fields and unique, you may be judged by your personality and your work. This includes radio jockey, anchor, broadcasting, and podcasting too.
5. Opinion journalism:- This is all about your views and opinions on the topic, a type of debate. In a country kike India you are free to give your opinion on any topic. Hence, all the experts are called and they are asked to give their opinion on different topics. This is also broadcasting and print media. There is a separate page in newspapers where the experts give their opinion.
6. Sports journalism:- It's one of the most interesting fields to explore. This also includes print media and broadcasting and online media too. You usually get a chance to meet the sports personality and ask questions to them, and you also get a chance to be a cameraman in the field. You have to go for the tours and keep updating the sports news. The sports field is widely explorable. Before joining this you must have knowledge about sports.
7. Trade journalism:- This is all about business and economics. This shows the economy and business of all countries. The newspaper has a separate section for this. This is also broadcasting and print media. Trading companies may hire you for advertising and all.
8. Entertainment journalism:- Here everyone likes movies, shows, web series, and all. There is much more to explore in this field, you have to be very updated for this. This is also broadcasting and print media. You get a chance to have shown to actors and filmmakers. You have to print in the magazines. You have to interview the personalities and gather all the information.
9. Political journalism:- Last but not the least type. This is one of the most important fields. Before exploring you must have above-average general knowledge, you must know about politics, schemes, and everything going on around you. Again it's also broadcasting and print media. But it doesn't end here. You have to go and report everything going on. You must know about the election and Lok sabha.
The function of good journalism is to take information and add value to it. This field doesn't end here. Many more to be explored. Be bold and courageous enough. Remember journalism is not a profession but, a mission.
Journalism can never be silent, that is its greatest virtue and its greatest fault.
