Journalism for a young journalist

by Justice Abu Sayeed Ahammed

A young person, man or woman may feel interested to come into journalism, which is both a science and an art. Journalism is a science because the news, which is to be reported, should be correct, fair and accurate and modern machineries and equipment are used in the process and no annexation or self-addition can be made.

It is an art because a young journalist should know rather he should learn how to report a fact or news in such a manner, which will attract the interest and passion of the readers.

A young journalist should remember that the media is a message. He must work within the limitation of the freedom of press, freedom of expression, freedom of speech and within the national security as guaranteed by the Constitution and other laws, of the relevant country, to whom the journalist belongs.

Young journalist also should learn the news technology, which is very wide. It may be technical journalism, magazine journalism, picture journalism, house journalism, radio and television, freelancing on the fringe etc. Kinds of news may be on politics, finance, local authorities, industrial, medical science, space exploration, entertainment, motoring, travel on holidays, leadership, sports reporting, foreign news reporting, fashion reporting and on cinema and television productions and on many other subjects.

The problem of access to the media is a real one. But seriousness can help one to overcome the same. A journalist has a duty to exercise his power with restraint and responsibility with checks and balances in as much as he must try to know which is what. It is generally said that power of the press is unlimited. But in fact, it is not.

The limitation varies from country to country. Journalism is a profession of honour. But not free from joys and agonies of the people at large. Press also may be different. It is sometimes open and sometime underground. While reporting news it must be reported with full concept and ideas.

Persistence is a necessary quality for a good journalist. Good journalism consists of the intelligent expression of the assembly of reliable facts. A journalist must try to know who is who, that is who is the author of the news, before reporting anything about any person. A journalist must have a mental make-up and image of what he is looking for.

There may be deduction of a report or news through investigation. A reporter must remain ready to report all kinds of news, good or bad, if correct. A young journalist must carry a notebook and more than one-ball pen, telephone card and he must have press card to identify himself to the police or other authorities. If working overseas he will also carry a cable card authorising him to use cable facilities on press rate.

A young journalist also should know that good shorthand never goes un-rewarded or wasted, particularly nowadays after development of so much of global science. The art of interviewing of a particular person is also to be learnt carefully. There are certain skills for it which also should be studied.

One should not enter into an interview "hot" if a journalist can help it. Nothing is more annoying than a reporter who asks obvious questions the answers to which are readily available in a reference book prepared for an interview as far as possible.

A young journalist may have ambition to become a specialist. It requires intensive care and devotion. As society is constantly changing so also specialisation is constantly changing. A young journalist may get his field to work either in the city or in Parliament or in rural areas. Whatever may be the field of work the report must be correct, fair and accurate and the reporter as journalist must be honest and thorough.

Profession of journalism for youngsters need training. Training for journalism in Britain was first organised by the National Council for Training of Journalists shortly called NCTJ which was set up as a result of the recommendation of Royal Commission on the Press in 1949. In our country some universities have opened courses on journalism.

Government has established Press Institute of Bangladesh shortly called 'PIB' for training of the journalists and young journalists also can get training through workshops and short training courses, which are arranged by the Bangladesh Press Council as well as Press Institute of Bangladesh. To know clear and accurate typing is also a necessary quality for journalists specially for the young ones. An increasing number of journalists nowadays use the tape recorder for the purpose.

Microphone and camera techniques, computer techniques are required to be learnt by the beginners. Young journalism also can be called student journalism. Local Newspapers serve as the training grounds for the young journalists.

Young journalist also can have higher education and training abroad. Many countries now-a-days hold educational courses for home and foreign journalists, students and trainees.

Learning as to photography is also necessary because photographs are part and parcel of journalism. One reason why journalism used to appeal so much to young people as a career, is that it does not seem to need a long and boring period of study.

A subjective matter pending in the courts, which may affect the results of the investigation and decision, should not be reported. A journalist is legally empowered not to disclose the source of the information on the news to be reported. Technique of telex also can be made useful for journalism.

A 'beginner journalist should avoid becoming a critic.

A new journalist should prove to be a very friendly man . The opening sentence of a news story must be short and should contain the main fact.

(The writer is the Chairman, Bangladesh Press Council.) (Courtesy-The New Nation)