| Being a journalist or a newspaper reporter is a | | | | cost a reporter’s credibility… and job. |
| career not many kids aspire to achieve. The | | | | • Liability and Responsibility – In case a |
| generation today would rather write on their blogs | | | | detail in a story is wrong, the reporter should |
| about their latest adventure than search for news | | | | correct it. An “erratum” for the next |
| and write about it. Students majoring in Journalism | | | | issue should be printed so that the readers are |
| are very few in number, and not all of them end | | | | not misled. The journalist should claim responsibility |
| up having a career related to news writing. | | | | for his wrongdoing. |
| However, there are still people who end up | | | | • Knowledge and Analysis – An |
| getting a job as a writer even if they do not | | | | effective writer is a wide reader. A journalist |
| have a formal education on journalism. Notice that | | | | should be informed about history and current |
| the staff box for a university publication or | | | | events. Broad knowledge of things can also help in |
| newsletter are not filled with Journalism majors, | | | | analyzing questionable sources. |
| and other colleges who do not even have a | | | | • Reference – When writing news, |
| connection with writing have their own | | | | proper reference should be observed. A journalist |
| newsletters (e.g. Accountancy). This proves that | | | | must know how to acknowledge his/her sources |
| people who do not hold a degree in Journalism can | | | | of information on the articles. |
| still become an effective news writer, just as long | | | | Students who aspire to become a journalist |
| as he/she has these characteristics: | | | | should learn to adapt these traits, along with the |
| • Objectivity – A journalist cannot side | | | | knowledge of correct grammar and spelling. |
| with anyone on an issue. The aim is clear: report | | | | Printing the guidelines for a good journalist through |
| the news, nothing more, nothing less. Columnists | | | | catalog printing can help remind a student-writer |
| are the only ones allowed to give their own (not | | | | and a journalist of their responsibilities to the |
| the publication’s) opinion on certain issues. | | | | public. School should continue to print catalogs and |
| • Accuracy and Clarity – Like | | | | newsletters to help the students become a |
| mentioned above, the news should be straight. | | | | full-fledged journalist, even without the degree. |
| Also, never make up stories. False stories can | | | | |