A "Journalist" is......

[soreback]

(or can be) ANYONE who enters a radio station, television station or newspaper who can steam up a mirror. No matter what Degree you have, no matter what your profession has been, no matter whether you've been in prison for the last 20yrs you are now a "Journalist" once you walk through the doors of a media company and write something down. In other words, this profession, as it is today, is no more important than the wrapping cellophane around pizzas at Red Baron. A majority of people in this "Profession" either don't know what the hell they're doing or don't care...or the people who hire them don't care. I don't know how many times I've heard college kids in a journalism program interviewed and the first they say is they "want to be journalists in order to change the world". What the hell? If that's why you're here you're totally messed up. If you want to change the world you need to look for the Sociology Dept or become a Priest or a Nun. To allow anyone and everyone to do this job creates a "Value" of ZERO to the profession. Then again, look at the state of the profession and the media today and tell me I'm wrong. Should we license Journalists? Maybe that's not a bad idea. It would surely shrink the ranks by 85%. Just think of the value of those who are true "Journalists" after such a house cleaning. Just because I've tended to a couple sick dogs in my life doesn't make me a vet. Just because I can type doesn't make me a "Journalist". Then again, the business as we know it really isn't "Journalism" any more.

[adam & doctor drew]

this must've been really important if you had to post it twice.
:whistle:

[Sultanosurf]

...somebody who uses a paragraph or two to break up thoughts...

I'm not a big fan of the 'licensing journalists' idea, since then we'd have to wear more noisy tags, get shots, and risk getting "put down" if the masters get tired of us. But the nun idea could have merit...

http://www.adultcostumeshop.com.au/contents/media/l_83127-nun-costume.jpg

[Lazlo Toth]

... someone who got out of college and thought real work sounded boring.

[Diggin' Bear]

...an out of work reporter.

[Banned_Forever]

Truth is the safest lie.
- Jewish Proverb

Tell the truth, but keep one foot in the stirrup.
- Arabian Proverb

I really like how those two proverbs were referenced.
It speaks volumes about Man, and Truth, and Ideology.

A Journalist is: Anyone who chooses to document the facts as they
perceive them. You would hope for the Truth, but all perception is
going to be effected by elements of Predisposition, Prejudice, Lies,
Missing Information, or Omission.
-----------------
Wanting to Change the World through Truth is not an Dishonorable
Undertaking, especially when you begin to unravel the depths of
corruption in 1000's of years of Media Manipulation.

The Truth hurts, unless you tell it from the git go! Truth is the one
commodity that doesn't lose it's value. At least until it is tainted by Man.
When was the last time your Dog lied to You?
-------------------
With the heavily skewed and manipulated Mainstream Media, as it
stands today? ...Our only Hope for Truth rest in the weary hands of the
Individual. The Internet has provided a resource for the dissemination of
free thought, and that scares the hell out of anyone that has enjoyed the
filthy indulgence of a corrupt nation.

So, Licensing of free thought and speech would be nothing more than a
continuation and reinforcement of that scourge.

And if you speak freely? They would just as soon you shut the **** up.
---------------------
If anyone Could find a Noble pursuit? Seeking out the Truth would be a
good start.

[The Fedora]

Looks like Shamrock57 from the cooler has found us here on medialine.

Go Away.

[Sultanosurf]

Ah, Hatman, what's the harm? Besides, it reminded me of Rudyard Kipling's "If," which isn't a bad touchstone for anybody...

http://www.swarthmore.edu/~apreset1/docs/if.html

[s'news]

In other words, this profession, as it is today, is no more important than the wrapping cellophane around pizzas at Red Baron.

Wait a minute. This guy says he's posting from out behind a Pizza Hut.

[Sir Dropham Pants]

...someone well versed in the use of capital and lower case letters.

[Mighty Dyckerson]

(or can be) ANYONE who enters a radio station, television station or newspaper who can steam up a mirror.

In other words, a journalist is full of hot air.