Journalism
is the investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad
audience for different purpose. Journalism’s role at the time was to act as a
mediator or translator between the public and policy making leaders. The
journalist became the middleman. When elites spoke, journalists listened and
recorded the information, purified it, and passed it on to the public for their
consumption.
Journalists
have many roles to play commonly as; watchdogs, investigators, moderators,
entertainers, analysts, informers, editors, commentators, and advertisers. They
are community activists, agenda-setters, and voices for the voiceless. They are
public servants, keepers of public record, protectors of democracy, and
promoters of public dialogue. Thanks to these responsibilities media is
playing, it has earned the recognition of fourth estate.
The
importance of journalism comes from the people’s right to opinion and
expression. Since right to opinion and expression would not be a reality
without the press. People today depend greatly on the press for being informed.
Journalism is taken as inseparable part of any democratic system. The Press
plays a vital role in democratic society. It is an institution in its own
right. The Press has earned the recognition of ‘Fourth state’. Journalism is
the ‘voice of the voiceless’ and it plays the role of ‘watch-dog’ in our
society. It is strong bridge between concerning authorities and the people. It
handles all public issues. In fact, press is the people’s open forum. Press
makes such an environment where people get information and be prepared to take
part in democracy. People’s participation is the foundation of democracy. Press
is the pillar of democracy.
Likewise,
the main principles of journalism are; Accuracy, Balance and Credibility. One
of the important responsibilities of journalist is to maintain their principles
in their reporting. The information should be based on truth and facts which
provides accurate news. Separately from that, journalist is responsible for
giving space to every one without biasness. While reporting one should be
balance. If we compare the same news from two or three different newspapers, we
find distinction in terms of how much one reporter is leaned towards certain
groups or political parties. In the other hand, citizens/ audiences should have
some sort of faith over media. Without credible information, there would be no
trust PRESS and could have no strength. Thus maintaining accuracy and balance
provides credible information.
