It’s Not Easy to Be ‘Ashamed to be a Journalist’
What I learned from the media frenzy surrounding my recent column.
November 9, 2008 - 12:00 am
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My suggestion: call yourself a reporter or commentator, not a journalist. It may seem silly, but “reporter” describes someone who reports, i.e. relates facts completely and clearly. Commentator describes someone who comments. What does “journalist” describe? Someone who keeps a journal which is a fancy name for a diary. “Journalist” is a highfalutin term that demeans those he is supposed to serve.
I remember the late Mike Kelly saying that he preferred “reporter” and he didn’t think of being in a press a “profession” because professions require some sort of entrance exam and enforceable rules of ethics. A real reporter has nothing to be ashamed of, but one who disguises commentary as reporting should be ashamed.