journalism
JUR-nuh-liz-um
/ˈdʒɜːrnəlɪzəm/
The activity or profession of gathering, assessing, creating, and presenting news and information.
Focuses on the public institutional practice and ethical standards of news reporting.
The story behind the word. Rooted in the Latin 'diurnalis' (daily), which evolved into Old French 'journal' (daily record). With the addition of the Greek-derived suffix '-ism', the term emerged in the early 19th century to describe the systematic practice and industry of news reporting.
Word relationships
- reporting: Reporting is the act of relaying facts, while journalism encompasses the full institution and editorial process.
- press: The press refers collectively to news organizations, whereas journalism is the trade or practice.
- propaganda: Propaganda serves to manipulate opinion, whereas journalism aims to inform objectively.
Commonly confused with
- journaling: Journaling is personal reflective writing; journalism is public news reporting.
Word family
- journalist (noun): A person who writes for news publications.
- journalistic (adjective): Relating to journalism or reporters.
Collocations
- investigative journalism
- gonzo journalism
- broadcast journalism
- ethics in journalism
Idioms & expressions
- fourth estate
Example sentences
- "Investigative journalism plays a crucial role in holding public officials accountable." Media ethics
- "Digital media has fundamentally altered the economics of modern journalism." Industry changes
Memory hook
JOURNAL (daily record) + ISM (profession/practice) = the business of daily reporting. Daily truth-seeking.
When not to use
Do not confuse with personal diary writing, which is journaling.
Fun facts
- The word 'journal' shares a root with the French word 'jour' (day).
Related words
Explore more words
editorial, credibility, journal, exposé, investigative, editorialize
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