What is journalism? And who is a journalist?

I will be writing this blog for my principles of journalism 239 class. I'm mainly supposed to discuss current issues and developments in the media, along with analyzing a hometown newspaper.

So what is journalism? I believe people tend to put journalists and journalism into a small category or a box. Limited to that box is newspapers, writing, and current events. In reality, there are many more aspects to journalism.

Journalism can simply be recording the events of one's day in a diary. It can be reporting, editing, gathering, interviewing. And while there is a sufficient amount of writing, journalism has creative parts. Photography. Layout design. One can participate in journalism in high school, collegiate, and the professional levels. Mediums vary from the typical newspaper or radio station to which journalism was once confined to. Technology is changing the face of journalism. While there is broadcast, there are newsletters, blogs, and countless web pages. Journalism is becoming personal on a new level.

Because journalism is becoming more individualized and open to everyone, it is possible for anyone to be a journalist. The Internet makes this possible. One can publish and post their own thoughts on any subject. News websites now make it possible for users to submit feedback to online articles instantly. I think there is danger though, in making journalism open for anyone and everyone. Facts and opinions become interchangeable. The truth is more difficult to find among the loads of garbage.