Sorry - all. I've corrected a bit of gobbledegook in my post. Correct 
version below


 >
>Interesting discussion this. Journalism has never been fully 
>professionalised, and huge numbers of journalists (like me) have no 
>journalistic qualifications (but often lots of training) and are not 
>members of a professional body. This mixed-economy has probably been a good 
>thing - making journalism more responsive to public tastes and needs, and 
>allowing people with a range of different experiences and expertise to 
>become journalists.
>
>[I’ve noticed several people on this list have had bad experiences with 
>journalists and have a low opinion of a lot of journalistic coverage of new 
>technology issues. But this isn’t really a professionalisation issue - 
>there are bad journalists with lots of qualifications and bad journalists 
>with none.]
>
>However, I don't think most journalists have taken on board how 
>far-reaching the technology-driven changes are going to be for journalism 
>as a whole. News blogging and the ‘amateurisation' of journalism is just 
>one part of this; what has changed even more critically is that the 
>consumer can pick and choose in ways they’ve never been able to before. 
>This means that the journalist will need to be more responsive to public 
>interests and needs than ever. And yes – in some cases this may mean what 
>the purists describe as dumbing-down, but it might also mean individuals 
>getting access to news and information that is more relevant and useful to 
>their lives. In the past news used to be a shared experience for 
>inhabitants of a particular geographical area and was supplied to them on a 
>take-it-or-leave-it basis. Now its becoming more of an individual 
>experience, but which might be shared with someone with common interests 
>living thousands of miles away. (Though as I mentioned in my only other 
>posting on this list some months ago, this really only works in English at 
>the moment – and the extent to which the democratisation implicit in some 
>aspects of new technology is being offset by the hegemony of the 
>English-language – would love to know what others think on this issue.)
>
>
>Sam
>
>
>
>>From: Diane M Smith <[log in to unmask]>
> >Seems there are a lot of issues here, rolled into the idea of a 
>journalist - and
>>what we expect of such a person today. Issues about the standard of 
>>writing,
>>training, credibility, access etc. Also the history of journalism and the
>>changes blogs have brought about - generally positive.
>>
>>The public expect the FT to be accurate in their reporting and check their 
>>facts
>>thoroughly. Blogs are different (unless you know/know about the author)- 
>>they do
>>expose and inform...but can also mislead/ fabricate/ libel.
>>
>>I have training, a full-time journalism MA but don't see myself as a 
>>journalist
>>as a result. This is my third career and I used the course to help me 
>>create a
>>freelance portfolio of writing and consulting - not strictly a journalism 
>>one.
>>
>>What the training gave me was an appreciation of the ethics involved in
>>journalism and law (lots of it and law exams too!). Is all this necessary 
>>to
>>produce a blog? Of course not. A talent for reporting is all that's needed 
>>but a
>>blogger can't cry 'unfair' if they want to be accepted as a credible 
>>journalist
>>but don't act like one.
>>
>>Di
>>
>>Quoting Susan Pritchard <[log in to unmask]>:
>>
>> > I'm a journo; have sold about 300 articles, mainly to The Guardian and 
>>The
>> > Stage. You can read some by putting my name "Suzi Pritchard" in The 
>>Guardian
>> > search box http://www.guardian.co.uk
>> >
>> > But I had no training..just started writing and selling articles, 
>>learning my
>> > trade and making mistakes along the way.
>> >
>> > If you have a commission or are a staffer..you get a Press Pass and 
>>invites
>> > to promotional dos with freebies or meet public figures and cebrities; 
>>but
>> > most of the time, you stay home, do endless research, treble check your 
>>facts
>> > and email the article. At some point a cheque arrives. You also get 
>>rejected,
>> > ripped offed and insulted a lot. And fired or made redundant. Except 
>>for
>> > 'stars' or those who move up the Editing tree, the life of a journalist 
>>is
>> > nasty, short and brutish.
>> >
>> > Anybody who wants to call themselves a 'journo' can. What's in a job 
>>title?
>> > Sir Peter Hall was asked how he became a Director. He said, 'I told 
>>anyone
>> > who would listen that I was a Director until someone gave me a job'.
>> >
>> > Are bloggers journalists..? DEFINITELY since the word derives from
>> > Journal..which was a diary; the very first newspapers were private 
>>journals
>> > shown to other literate members of the public.
>> >
>> >  Suzi
>> >
>> >
>> > Bob Maxey <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> >
>> > >>>Yikes! Would you have journalism be a restricted activity? Who 
>>chooses
>> > the journalists, then?>>>
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > See this is part of the problem. If, and I say if you can call anyone 
>>with a
>> > blog and a camera phone a journalist, you must grant those people the 
>>same
>> > rights other journalists enjoy. Otherwise, forget the title because you 
>>are
>> > not serious. If you are serious, then everyone who wants to, can go
>> > everywhere you members of the press go. Is this a good idea?
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > I am not suggesting anyone be banned from acting like journalists; 
>>certainly,
>> > journalism must never be restricted. What I am saying is anyone wanting 
>>to be
>> > treated like a journalist should first earn the right.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > You might say that not all blogger journalists will want the same 
>>access the
>> > press enjoys, but you must allow for the possibility they might. We 
>>(who is
>> > this we, Bob?) might allow you the title and we might recognize that 
>>title,
>> > but sorry, no access.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Countless people have suddenly decided they want to be journalists. 
>>Fine.
>> > Perhaps they should be recognized as "Citizen Journalists." Free to 
>>write and
>> > publish anything they wish, but no access to press briefings, the White
>> > House, the NFL locker room, or other press only functions. It would be 
>>a mess
>> > if everyone were allowed entry because they are bloggers.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Am I wrong? Are there any legitimate members of the press reading the 
>>list?
>> > I'll take my lumps and accept criticism of my views.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > If I had spent time earning a journalism degree, I would want the 
>>bloggers
>> > that follow me to walk the same path and certainly not be granted all 
>>access,
>> > unless they earn it.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Anyone can act like a journalist. You can write freelance articles. My
>> > problem is many that might use the title might wish to gain entry to 
>>The
>> > Harvard Club. Clearly not a good idea; they would likely hog the 
>>buffet. Sour
>> > grapes are one reason I say what I say.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > As for who chooses the journalists, why not let their degree open the 
>>door?
>> > Most trades and occupations have some required training and I see no 
>>reason
>> > why it is such a bad idea for wanna be journalists to earn the degree 
>>and
>> > find a job.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Bob
>> >
>> > …
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
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