What Is Journalism? magazine, television, etc.
, and has come to
Journalism refers to the activity of what we know of journalism is today.
collecting, compiling, and delivering fact-based
news and other related information to the
Types of Journalism
general public in an unbiased manner. The term
1. Print Journalism
“journalism” also describes the occupation—
With Print Media being the most traditional types
more commonly known as a journalist. This
of Journalism, it is mainly concerned with the
occupation is responsible for gathering news
practice of reporting news and related content
from various sources (like media, tipsters, inside
through newspapers, magazines and
sources, and eyewitnesses) then presenting it to
periodicals. In earlier times, newspapers were
the public through a media outlet, either in print,
the most powerful medium for those wanting to
online, on television, or radio.
voice certain issues that are prevalent in society.
The purpose of journalism is to research
and report events that impact people’s lives and
2. Online Journalism
society in different ways. Different types of
Online journalism reports facts through internet
journalism cover various aspects of life that
media, such as digital newspapers, blogs or
impact society, appeal to assorted audiences
social media. All kinds of information are freely
and have varying requirements for objectively
available on the internet, but sources are not
reporting facts.
always credible. Online journalists create and
deliver content that aligns with the traditional
A Short History of Journalism
journalism practices of objectively reporting the
The earliest known journalistic product
facts of a situation or event. Online journalism
was a news sheet circulated in ancient Rome: allows reporters to quickly deliver information to
the Acta Diurna, said to date from before 59 audiences through online media without delays
BCE. The Acta Diurna recorded important daily for print layout, processing and delivery or
events such as public speeches. It was broadcast time slots.
published daily and hung in prominent places. In In the contemporary world, even the ordinary
China during the Tang dynasty, a court circular man can record a piece of any event on their
called a bao, or “report,” was issued to mobile phone with average camera quality and
government officials. This gazette appeared in post it online. There is a plethora of career
various forms and under various names more or prospects that you can avail in this emerging
less continually to the end of the Qing dynasty in specialization of Online Media/Digital Media or
1911. The first regularly published newspapers New Media are, Social Media Manager, Digital
appeared in German cities and in Antwerp about Marketing Specialist, Content Curator, Digital
1609. The first English newspaper, the Weekly Journalist, amongst others.
News, was published in 1622. One of the first 3. Tabloid Journalism
A rather exaggerated form amongst the
daily newspapers, The Daily Courant, appeared
copious types of Journalism, tabloids are mainly
in 1702.
referred to like those stories which have been
The Philippine Press: Its Initial Pages sensationalized and at times, falsified to seek
The first Philippine newspaper was established the attention of readers. Depicting more of a
in 1811. Del Superior Govierno was published gossipy version, it concerns with a celebrity-
with the Spanish Governor General himself as focused form of Journalism which stays more on
editor. Its intended readers were the local the edge of overemphasized, fabricated and
Spaniards and therefore the content was
bizarre content. In the earlier days, it was
primarily news from Spain. The first daily
newspaper, La Esperanza (1846), also catered popularized with graphic crime stories, gossips
to the Spanish elite. It dealt with non- and astrology columns targeted at those
controversial subjects such as religion, science, seeking leisure through news and it developed
and history. The best edited newspaper, Diario into full-fledged media outlets disseminating
de Manila, was suppressed by the Governor news for the sake of entertainment, concerned
General after 38 years of publication, allegedly with the celebrity world and veiled under the
for inciting the Filipinos to rebel against the
popularized notion of paparazzi.
Spaniards. Meanwhile, the first local publication
was El Ilocanowhich started in 1893 while the 4. Investigative Journalism
first publication for and by women, El Hogar was Investigative journalism involves thoroughly
published in 1893. researching a topic to expose evidence and
Over the years, news has evolved its deliver findings of figures or organizations to a
wider audience. Investigative journalists
platform to various forms such as radio,
conduct in-depth research and use various
tactics to collect information. After collecting and viewpoint. It can be important to recognize the
evaluating evidence, investigative journalists difference between opinions and facts. Opinion
write comprehensive reports to expose the journalism is useful in helping people
subject and provide evidence to support their
understand their own opinions and values as
conclusions.
This type of journalism often requires more well as to develop a fuller picture of reality when
time to plan, prepare and research, and is consuming reports from multiple perspectives.
9. Sports Journalism
typically a longer form to fully report details of
Sports journalism focuses on the subject of
research, findings and conclusions.
athletic news. Sports journalists report scores,
Investigative journalism can be both print and
standings and rankings for different teams or
broadcast media. An example of investigative
athletes in different sporting events. Sports
journalism includes researching businesses to
journalism can take the form of a specific genre
determine whether they promote fair practices.
such as investigative or opinion styles. It can be
5. Watchdog Journalism
Watchdog journalism is a genre intended to both print and broadcast media. Sports
guard society against illegal activity or commentating is a form of sports journalism in
inefficiency from societal powers, such as broadcast and online journalism
corporations and politicians. It is similar to
investigative journalism in that the intent is to 10. Trade Journalism
Trade journalism reports on a particular
uncover and expose wrongdoing. Watchdog
industry or field. Trade journalists detail
journalists monitor the activities of large
movements and developments in business that
companies and influential figures and report
impact people involved in that field. It includes
activities that may have negative impacts on
industry-specific news for products such as oil,
society. This type of journalism helps ensure
metals and agriculture as well as business
societal powers remain accountable for their
sectors, such as travel, finance and healthcare.
actions.
Trade journalists process and report on
6. Photojournalism
Rather than using words to tell a story, substantial amounts of information regarding
photojournalism is the art of taking pictures to market conditions of the trades they cover.
tell news stories—whether it’s a shot of a 11. Entertainment Journalism
Entertainment journalism relates to the
burning building, a melting glacier, or a group of
current events of popular figures and trends.
people in a warzone. Photojournalism shoots
Entertainment journalists report on the
can either be candid, heat-of-the-moment
entertainment business, including celebrities,
reporting, or can occur under calmer
movies, television, books and events.
circumstances, where the journalist documents
Entertainment journalists may cover movie
action like daily life or environmental changes.
premiers and awards ceremonies as well as
7. Broadcast Journalism
Broadcast journalism reports information to news about the entertainment industry. This
the public through media such as radio and type of journalism can take the form of different
television. Branches of broadcast journalism genres and is common in print, digital and
include sports, weather, traffic, news and broadcast media.
entertainment. Broadcast journalism can also
12. Political Journalism
take the form of investigative, watchdog and
Political journalism focuses on government,
opinion types. Broadcast journalism can include politics and political candidates. It covers
reading the report without corresponding video, different segments of political activity, such as
narrating a report with a related video playing in local, national or international news. Political
the background or conducting a report in the journalists often report on the activities of
field while capturing live video. elected officials, political processes and the
8. Opinion Journalism results of political work. It includes reporting
Opinion journalism reports on a topic using political news and conducting investigative and
subjective ideas rather than objective facts. watchdog reporting to ensure that the public has
Opinion journalists report stories from their own access to information about political activity.
perspective, including their own thoughts and Political journalists may also report news in the
biases. Opinion journalism is unique from other form of the opinion journalism genre. Political
types because the writer can include their journalism applies to print, digital and broadcast.
