Thursday, February 27, 2014

Journalism Vs. journalism

Over the past few months, I've been thinking about whether or not I can, in good conscience, refer to myself as a Journalist. And if so, does my title really deserve a capital J?

Probably not.

Right now I work for a potpourri of technology websites, writing news and reviewing product. But as much as I would like to pretend that my paycheck revolves around journalistic integrity and hard-hitting stories, I mostly get paid to make fart jokes. Perhaps the bigger question is whether this should bother me more than it does.

Here's the problem: I really love my job. There are weeks when I spend all of my office hours playing video games and watching television. In any other profession, this would probably get me fired, but a check magically appears in my mailbox at the end of every month.

However, the tech industry has a reputation for holding lax journalistic standards, and that reputation is well-deserved. So, my head is a loop of cognitive dissonance. Should I participate because I dig the industry, or should I leave because I dislike the system?

Either way, I think I'll stick with a lower case J for the time being. Just to be safe.

3 comments:

  1. This must be the week of the fart reference. Not everyone writes hard hitting news for the Boston Globe like Angus and Jeremy, or Don. Clair, I believe, is a foreign correspondent stationed in the US. I can attest to the fact, that Clair is one amazing editor and writer. I think people should quit worrying. Que Sera, Sera. And, a little planning doesn't hurt. You have lots of years ahead of you.

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  2. I would like to echo Diane's statement here. It sounds like you are fairly early on in your career and have many many years to switch topical focus or transfer to another industry sector. I for one, work as a Public Relations Director and I happen to write news blurbs for the website -- this does not make me an editor. Rather, it makes me a PR pro that writes for the editorial team. My goal, and my hope, is to become a writer and eventually have my own column about xyz topic. We all have goals, I am trying to learn that if you simply hone in on the now, you can be a lot happier! :) It is hard, but doable.

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  3. I have been working for a technology magazine for...10 years now. I can totally relate to your comment I feel the same way

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