I am writing this because I have a strong aspiration to become a journalist. Media is often referred to as the fourth pillar of democracy, and I aspire to be a foundational part of that pillar. My objective is to actively contribute to the preservation and strengthening of our democracy. The press plays a crucial role as a bridge between citizens and those in positions of authority. My aim is to reinforce this bridge, fostering a more resilient connection between the general public and the government. My ultimate desire is to actively contribute to the development of a stronger, transparent, and mutually beneficial relationship between these two pivotal components of society.
Aiming for this requires vision, but achieving it demands courage. Finding one’s genuine purpose in life typically unfolds when they are presented with the opportunity to make their own choices and decisions. It is during these moments of self-determination and free will that individuals often gain clarity about what truly resonates with them and what direction they wish to pursue in their journey. I chose journalism as my passion, my aim, and my love. In this field, I discovered all three, and it takes a tremendous amount of courage to become and remain a journalist. Journalists engage with prominent leaders and celebrities, earning respect from all corners. To be honest, I’m addressing the disruptive influence of media on both the general public and those in authority. I’m discussing how authorities engage in unlawful activities, albeit within certain boundaries because they are aware that, aside from God, there are people monitoring their actions—people we call journalists. Now, let’s consider the potential, capability, and maturity a journalist should possess.
Journalists lead life filled with adventure, action, and constant events. Their path is different from that of a teacher in a classroom or a doctor in a hospital as this profession comes with its own risks. Choosing one side may inadvertently make an adversary of the other. Thus, a journalist must exercise the same restraint over his words as a skilled swordsman does over his blade. Impartiality is paramount; a journalist should not show bias towards any side.
I’m writing this because I’ve witnessed my soul, my passion, and my dreams wounded by the state of what we consider the fourth pillar of democracy. In earlier times, we eagerly awaited the sight of a journalist because, second only to God, they were our trusted sources. Through a reporter, our voice would reach the government. It was a field coveted by those with official degrees and profound knowledge about the profession. But today, the field of journalism has been infiltrated by individuals lacking the requisite degrees and a genuine passion for journalism. They enter solely to amass a fan following and some bucks of money. Sadly, these new journalists often disregard the fundamental principle of journalism, which is impartiality.
Once, this field was the domain of mature individuals. Now, it has been taken over by Tik Tokers and social media influencers. They adorn themselves with the logos of news channels while simultaneously posting dance videos on their official social media accounts. Everywhere you look, you’ll find 17 to 18-year-old journalists chasing meager sums for their work. Due to the lack of any discernible order in the journalism field, individuals who barely comprehend the essence of journalism join without understanding its true meaning. They affiliate themselves with any news channel, adopt its logo, and roam the streets aimlessly.
During my internship I met with many other journalists, some of whom had been working in the field for years, while others had joined just months or days before. During my conversations with those journalists, I often asked them about their educational backgrounds and where from they have pursued their degrees. Their responses left me feeling a mix of emotions – anger, sadness, and confusion. This was because some of them revealed that they didn’t possess journalism degrees at all. Instead, they have studied subjects like Political Science, English, Urdu etc. while some had no formal degrees at all. After several days of working as an intern, a girl joined the same company where I was interning. She was pursuing a Master’s degree in Journalism and was actively working as a journalist. Her doing masters in journalism provided some comfort to my poor nerves. We developed a good friendship. While sharing her experiences with me I got to know from her about a guy who sells tempered glasses and occasionally would be seen posing himself as a journalists. This should give us a clear understanding of poor state of affairs in the field of journalism.
It’s disheartening to see many journalist organizations or bodies are falling short in safeguarding the integrity of journalism in the country. The field lacks a structured hiring process, leaving the doors open for anyone to present themselves as journalists. Just as the Bar Council or medical council maintains a structured framework for lawyers and doctors respectively, the journalism field could benefit from a stronger organization that establishes clear boundaries for journalists. Similar to how lawyers or doctors require professional identification through there degrees, it should be made compulsory for someone who wishes to pursue a career in journalism to have a proper degree. This would ensure that individuals entering in the field are professionally trained and knowledgeable.
The field of journalism is undeniably challenging, and the proliferation of pseudo-journalists only exacerbates these challenges. Establishing recognized journalism degrees and regulating bodies can play a pivotal role in preserving the integrity and credibility of journalism. Such measures would create an environment more conducive for genuine journalists to effectively carry out their professional work, ensuring that the public receives accurate and reliable information.
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