Changing forms of storytelling
Journalism is storytelling with a purpose. As a student of
journalism, we are often confronted with
issues regarding the morality and ethics associated with the profession.
Even though ethics and morals are areas
which changes from person to person, organization to organization. A persons
value may not be shared by the other person. Certain allegation are constantly
raised against the media such as sensationalizing events, neglecting certain
sections of the society, stereotyping or being disproportionately negative in
certain cases. So can there be some standards or principles which should govern
the field of journalism. Issues regarding Principles and ethics have been
raised time and again. Tom Rosential and and Bill Kovach in their book “ The
elements of journalism” examines the character of journalism at the end of the
twentieth century. It discusses the principles that underlie journalism. According
to the authors there must be a balance about what the reader knows and what
they want and also give what they need but cannot anticipate.
New forms of storytelling have emerged in the field of
journalism. Some suggest that the definition of journalism has exploded with by
technology as anybody with a modem and a computer can claim to be a journalist.
Technology is transforming citizens from passive consumers of news produced by
professionals into active participants who can assemble their own journalism. With
new technologies and new efficiencies entering newsrooms there is a change in
the dynamics between the consumers and information providers and the line
between news and opinion can easily be blurred
which might imperil the credibility of the practitioners and their
organization. So certain principles must be imposed by the journalists on
themselves. Certain things must always be clear regarding the moral issues of
journalism such as the journalist’s loyalty with the citizens, a tendency for
verifying information or cross checking, and provision for public criticism and
compromise and the professions obligation to truth.
Deepmoni Gogoi
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