There’s a common romantic myth about journalism, which seems to be particularly relevant when discussing how it will evolve in the face of that ‘internet’ thing which seems to be catching on.
It’s understandable that the popular image of a journalist would be someone hunched over a typewriter or laptop, frantically typing in copy for a deadline just seconds away. It could be in a packed newsroom, or in the middle of a warzone, and there may or may not be a bottle of whiskey beside them. They finish their copy, and it goes straight into a famous publication.
That myth paints the journalist as a writer – which just isn’t true for most journalists.
The process most often seen is:
- Journalist gets a tip or story from contact.
- Submits story idea to Section Editor
- Investigates story
- Finished copy goes to Section Editor
- Section Editor makes changes as necessary
- Copy goes to Sub Editor
- Sub Editor makes changes in conjunction with design
- Approval from Editor/Deputy Editor
- Gets published.
As you can see, writing skills are useful, but not essential. It’s the managing of contacts and finding the story which is the most important skill for any journalist. And I’ve known quite a few great journalists who still struggle to master the full stop, let alone an apostrophe!
And that’s also why I think there will always be a career for full-time, professional journalists (and sub-editors). It takes a huge amount of time and effort to maintain an effective contacts list, and maintain a decent flow of stories. And that’s as true for bloggers as anyone else. The most popular blogs are all able to access information from sources or contacts which aren’t as available to the general population.
And that’s always where the line will blur. The top journalists/bloggers will be working across print/digital, will be able to work across titles/companies, and will be able to command the same pay and respect as at any time before them.
The only reasons to fear the change if you’re a journalist is if you only copy publicly available press releases, or if you really fear the digital world.
(Incidentally, if you fancy reading more about the changing role of journalists, I’d recommend taking a look at HowardOwens and The Journalism Iconoclast – and despite sharing a surname, the Iconoclast isn’t a distant relative, as far as I’m aware!)