Why do people criticise Journalism?

Why do people criticise a journalism degree when, realistically, they are the.exact same as a medicine or dentistry degree? They both equip the individual with the specialist skills and knowledge to break into the field, give them to opportunity to undertake relevant work experience, get contacts, everything. And after all, they both lead to a job. So, why is Journalism criticised and other degrees of the exact same nature praised? Journalists have a huge role in society- how would we know about Russia/Ukraine, or the death of Nelson Mandela, or who won at the Oscars without them?

Obnoxious comments like ‘because it’s media studies’ don’t count, the study of journalism is completely different.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 1

Nat_LPS

Original post by kpofsuburbia

They both equip the individual with the specialist skills and knowledge to break into the field, give them to opportunity to undertake relevant work experience, get contacts, everything. And after all, they both lead to a job. So, why is Journalism criticised and other degrees of the exact same nature praised? Journalists have a huge role in society- how would we know about Russia/Ukraine, or the death of Nelson Mandela, or who won at the Oscars without them?

Obnoxious comments like ‘because it’s media studies’ don’t count, the study of journalism is completely different.

Now i dont know much. But
A journalist for bbc, so the tv bit, talked to us in our tutorial, not just to media students, and when talking about a story he seemed obsessed with the idea that his team of cameras were there at a scene of a murder ot suspected assault etc before the other big news programmes, not what they did to inform anyone, not really showing respect for the family or area or anything, but just that theyre in competition with others to get there first after its all on twitter they havent got much of a job to do tbh yet that seemed like his main point of the whole talk.
For some reason I dont think I agree with the whole idea of his role in it.

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Reply 2

shawn_o1

People just can't trust the stories being written. Especially if the reporter/journalist/column writer works for a tabloid. News of the World were caught hacking phones. The Sun got away with loads of damaging and false stories because they have the money to.

Even the supposedly neutral BBC gets lots of complaints (although some of them have more to do with the complainer than the BBC itself).

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 3

TV man

Well no, a journalism degree is not "the exact same as a medicine or dentistry degree". Not by a very long piece of chalk. The former might give you a bit of familiarity with the world of journalism; the latter gives their recipients a thorough practical grounding and training in the first hand skills required to do those two specific jobs (medicine and dentistry).

There are jobs for medics and dentists, there aren't (largely speaking) for journalists. Journalists (some) may have a role in society (as do plumbers, bakers and insurance salesmen) but I would suggest it would be stretching the point to equate their significance and importance with that of doctors. Journalism is becoming increasingly less valued by society, it bears all the hallmarks of a dying profession. Embarking on a career in that field does somewhat suggests suicidal tendencies.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 4

getitoffyourches

journalist are a waste of space, they have to go to the Gov press office in order to be told what they are allowed to write about.
Not only has the freedom of the individual gone but so has the freedom of the press, and its happening all over the world at the same rate of time.
Sagarika Ghose an Indian journalist said,
"there is an evil out there, an evil that is stamping out all free speech and silencing journalists".

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Reply 5

getitoffyourches

most journalists are rubbish, its either cheque book journalism or the go to the Governments press office
and ask what they are allowed to print.
All over the world, from OZ to New zealand-to Pakistan and india, right through the eastern block countries, all of europe, and all the Americas, journalism is stifled.
Sagarika Ghose said

Reply 6

bluebeetle

People respect those doing medicine because you need to get through a rigorous application process and then get amazing grades in hard subjects (AAA inc. Chem). Getting into a journalism degree course is much easier.

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Reply 7

Rosey203

As a degree? The issue with journalism as a degree is you DON'T NEED a journalism degree to be a journalist. Indeed, if you want to get into journalism you'd be better off doing English, or another humanity or social science, which are more respected and also, you're then set up for a specialism which is really useful in journalism to have. Having a journalism degree just isn't needed. You just need to write well. I don't think a journalism graduate going for a job would have an advantage over an english graduate, and would be at even more disadvantage if going for a job at say, a history magazine against history graduates. The only thing to gain from a journalism degree is networking, and even that's questionable.

The same can't be said for medicine/dentistry can it. You need degrees in the subject to practice those things.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 8

joelster38

If you want to be a journalist, there are a few different routes. Studying journalism at uni will give you some fantastic skills such as writing in shorthand, knowing how to tell stories that are engaging enough for employers to take interest, and making contact with people integral to your work. Investigative journalism as an MA is a fantastic route also and you could pick another subject for your undergrad degree such as English, Politics, Media etc. Journalism is a profession that requires an educated mind and a natural ability to tell a great story. The job is very academic which is why I think qualifications help a lot, but you should also seek experience at local papers, via online blogs or work experience with firms.

If you are commited to becoming a journalist, you will be come one with whatever route you choose. The reason Media gets a bad name (partly) is because the grade boundaries are lower and thus loads of idiots choose it. Don't let them be a sign of your perceived intellect. You are not a lesser person because of it. You are doing something you enjoy, and there's nothing more important than getting a career you love. F*** everybody who tells you that it's a waste of time. Prove them wrong and study very hard, put blood, sweat and tears into your work and keep knocking on doors and building contact networks. That's how media jobs are found.