Becoming a journalist
One isn't born a journalist, but may become one. There are many ways available for any upcoming journalist to choose from, and every single one seems to be valid as long as it is successful. However, there's no objective method of measuring success - especially in journalism. Hence the most important thing is the satisfaction and fulfilment we gain from our work.
Uncommon journalism definition
Journalism is a very generalised term. It means both newscasters and publicists but also interviewers and anchormen. It is very important to realise that joutnalism isn't just one the professions. It's the way of life.
According to encyclopedias journalism is either related to politics or relevant to the public issues. None of those seems to be fully satisfying though. Writing as a way of life approach is way more sophisticated. It contains such forms as sports-, science-, investigative-, news-, ambush or agressive journalism.
It is often said that the main element of writing is the obligation to the truth. Not necessarily. Let's imagine nowadays's media without a single lie. It does not exist and it cannot exist to be honest. As a matter of fact lie has been identified with mass media for some time now. It doesn't mean one should lie to become journalist but it certainly means writing doesn't require the truth.
On the whole journalism is the form of creating public opinion. Furthermore it is also the way of bringing entertainment to people so to speak.
Entertainment in journalism
Once media used to bring news and facts the melancholy way. All the obituaries, starvation, hunger and wars mashed together combining this devastating reality. Needless to say people felt overwhelmed with grief. Media needed changes. Not by revolution but by evolution.
Evolution came with the whole new attitude. Media started showing happy, reach and healthy people with no issues whatsoever. News weren't that sad anymore and people died once in a blue moon. This is when lie entered the world of nowadays's journalism. This is also when most of people started living in the surreal world.
With reference to the said evolution media figured that people were basically tired of the omnipresented issues and needed even some more entertainment. This trend of pretending that everything is just fine continues today.
It really shouldn't bother anybody. These days everybody gets something for him in media. Both in TV and in newspapers there are broadcasts and sections for people who need „bona fide" information and for those who really need to relax and have a little fun.
However this entertainment trend in media has gone too far. Today all we get is this mumbo jumbo bereft of anything solemnity related. Amid those entertainment shows there is rarely one people with IQ higher than 70 can enjoy. Isn't it sad that those „journalists" in TV do their best to make fun whilst newscasting?
Becoming of journalist
People learn journalism with its very specific features all life long by expending their horizons and knowledge. Particular studies in journalism place emphasis on the writing ability which is in my opinion the most bogus thing to learn during the education process. Instead of this people should learn how to write in practice not in theory or even better to formulate their thoughts and cogitations verbally. This is what probations and seniorities are for. Studies, however, should focus more on the overall knowledge of everybody who's worth one's salt.
To be able to move mountains one should be posh in everything and top out either in every aspect of journalism or just in one detailed field of knowledge thus people interested in the foreign affairs should dig deep in the sands of history and so on.
Becoming a journalist is all about assigning priorities to this profession soon enough to take the proper actions such as taking parts in seniorities and attending faculties. There's really no particular moment in which one becomes journalist. It's the whole process of becoming and learning.
During the process of learning people easily exclude things they don't want to be involved in which is why studies are that important. They show people their interests by narrowing their focus on specific things.
My very own way to journalism
I started when I was about 12. I felt like I wanted to be a part of something bigger than me. I figured I create and distribute a magazin about a developement i used to live in. It contained a massive amount of articles, computer games reviews, jokes, interviews with inhabitants of my community and more. Little did I know many years later the knowledge I possesed back then turned out to come in handy while organising journalism workshops on my University. Publishing the magazine tought me not only the basics of marketing but more important it showed me how to cope with stress and irons in the fire. I also gained organising abilities which are an invaluable skill.
In highschool I wrote a lot. Mainly for myself just to practice and increase my own workshop. I used blogging as a possibility to exchange ideas and points of view on numerous things but also to make contacts with other young people focused on politics and writing. Obviously journalism doesn't go with politics from definition but I choosed my own way regardless of being also into sport. Growing up wasn't easy for me. I had too many ideas of how to build myself up and I studied a few majors. After two years of studing law I picked psychology for another year when I finally realised that journalism is what I see myself in.
I don't remember the exact time when I got myself into the idea of becoming a journalist but I surely remember why I did so. The other day I found an increadibly interesting book written by Jerzy Pilch, polish esseyist and novel writer, which totally enthralled me. I was so mesmerised by the style and lightness of his writing I decided I want to write likewise only not in books but in articles. With my eyes glazed I started writing more and more but none of what I wrote reminded Pilch's style. After hundreds of hours I spent on increasing my writing skills I brought the bacon home. I come into a conclusion I don't write anything like Jerzy Pilch did which surpisingly didn't make me sad. On the contrary it made me realise I had my very own style of writing.
I never was the sedulous kind of pupil. I was way too lazy. But taking part in some projects and attending lectures entrenched the curiosity in me. I started to learn more and more digging deeper every day. After a year I was one of the best students out there with knowledge that coused envy among my peer group. Not only because I wanted to but also because I tried. I did my best by reading a different sources of news, books, articles, esseys and opinions from esteemed role models and whilst still studying I did some work experience i.e. 'Gazeta Wyborcza' the most respectable newspaper in Poland and the symbol of antycomunism. Still I'm to participate in a few radio probations and I'm also willing to write for some foreing agency or magazine about social and political issues. The world is still ahead of me.
Helpful attitude
I have to admit I'm a typical, ordinary guy. My secret is I found my thing, the one I really can do and which makes me happy. Creating public opinion it is. Making people to think. Focusing people's attention on social issues around the world. Pointing out diversities between people of all races and beliefs but not to sever or devide but to merge and connect despite of all the differences. I stand for the idea of mental unification over the borders but with a forfend of our national identity. This is what defines my writing. This is what I see myself doing in a few years.
It's important to set a goal and chase it. Me, myself, I don't have such a goal. I can still do many things. But I do have a dream. One day I'd like to roll out first think tank in Poland. We are used to the fact the media create our political awarness which is not always good as media are in private hands being prone to the investors and owners opinion or adherence. In the USA for examle there are many think tanks bunching all the professors and other wise men to create public opinion on many things that are currently on the agenda. This is my dream that I want to transfer to the polish reality one day. Finally this is a dream I'm pursuing for a few years now and I will not stop till I reach it.
