Press Pass

I don't consider this blog to be journalism. What I did for many years was journalism. Of course, I never called it that. I called it reporting, photography or editing. Sometimes I called it something less polite.

But I worked to ethics, I worked to standards that today's "citizen journalists" do not. Standards and ethics I fear they don't even understand. They have limited background in research, at least the sort of intensive research we are accustomed to -- sometimes they seem to be lacking in the background in research that comes with an 8th grade theme. They often confuse a combination of listening to others (who may or may not be journalists) and inserting their own opinions with actual journalism.

This isn't a matter of being annoyed that any Tom, Dick or Harriet can post when they haven't paid their dues. Although that is a problem because, as with any profession, there is a reason for working one's way up. The learning curve is necessary. There is so much more than sitting at a computer and typing. There is so much more than stating an opinion, especially the kind of uninformed opinion you so often see these days. Hint, never, never, never, get all your information from just one source.

It seems strange to an old newspaper lady like me that people would write about things they are not expert in expect anyone to read it.

It amazes me even more than anyone would actually read that stuff.

professionals put a good deal of time and effort into learning a trade. "Citizen journalists" are probably well-trained in something. Just not in journalism.