What makes a journalist different from a writer?

1. 94

   jansharesposted 10 years ago

   What makes a journalist different from a writer?
   
   Are journalists news reporters who write? Do writers focus more on the subjective than the objective? Are journalists more fact-based and writers about the art? Explain.

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2. 53

   graceinusposted 10 years ago

   A jouralist does not have the ability to tell the truth, a writer has the option.
   
   janshares have a good day.

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   1. 94

      jansharesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Ahh, thank you for answering, graceinus. You have a good one, too.

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   2. 53

      graceinusposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      janshares- My answer is meant to be a joke. however there may be some who may not take it as such. Therefore I kindly ask that you delete my answer. Again have a good day.

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      RTalloniposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Quite funny--I vote let it stand!

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   4. 94

      jansharesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I think your answer is worthy and brilliant. I'd hate to delete.

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      graceinusposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Janshares-Well, I leave it up to you.

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3. 0

   RTalloniposted 10 years ago

   The lines of demarcation between the two are more blended than ever, aren't they?  Much of each job's definition depends on exactly what kind of work is being done, but both have the ability to shape the thinking of readers.  That's why it is more important than ever for readers not to simply believe what they are offered but to prove it for themselves.  The current situation in Ukraine is an example.  We are reading a lot about what's supposedly going on there, but talking to people who are living it out is quite enlightening, and a different story than much of what we are told.

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   1. 94

      jansharesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for answering, RTalloni.

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   The Examiner-1posted 10 years ago

   A journalist basically writes non-fiction. A writer can write either. Plus a journalist is able to write, be a journalist on TV, radio, video, etc.

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   1. 94

      jansharesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, thank you for your answer.

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5. 0

   swilliamsposted 10 years ago

   Hi Janshares! Journalists conduct their work in a public forum. There are high profile news journalists such as Barbra Walters, Oprah, which started in the newsroom and evolved into successful talk show icons. Most journalist love to interview people, they enjoy taking pictures to capture their stories. Writers engage more on the subject at hand through thought.  Writes can be somewhat introverted creators of the mind which leads to fiction, or they research on topics that interest them and become nonfiction writers.

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   1. 94

      jansharesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hmm, I see. Thanks for answering, swilliams.

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6. 59

   Rebecca Furtadoposted 10 years ago

   Hi,
   My gut tells me that there are several differences, but I only have my High School Newspaper experience to rely on. First journalism is focused on current events and past events that influence current events. Writers tend to tell the stories that reflect their personal taste and interest. Writers can be fictional. Journalism is by its very nature non fictional. Writers have a huge span on length of a piece.Journalist write for a more general audience and brevity is important.

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   1. 94

      jansharesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Nice distinctions, thanks for answering, Rebecca.

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   Kathleen Cochranposted 10 years ago

   Journalists by definition do not express their own opinion.  They report facts or interview people who tell their own stories.  If (when) they make a mistake they are obligated to issue a retraction or correction.  Once they start expressing their own opinions, they are commentators and can never go back to being journalists. 
   
   Case in point:  I was a journalist for years as a newspaper reporter.  Once I became a press secretary for a congressional campaign I'd blown my cover of objectivity and never went back.  On HubPages I am definitely a commentator.  Look at my hubs - I have an opinion about everything even when I try to be objective.  But I'm not a journalist any more.
   
   That is the definition in a perfect world.  In today's reality the rules get broken constantly.  Buyer beware - have various sources and know who you are listening to or reading.

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   1. 94

      jansharesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for that answer, Kathleen. This question is becoming a lot more interesting than I thought it would.

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      Kathleen Cochranposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Good questions do that!

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   phillippeengelposted 10 years ago

   A journalist is another breed of an ordinary writer. A journalist must follow his boss' guidelines and certain standards of behavior, and he only seek the breaking news; nothing else. Sometimes he may input his own opinion, but still, the whole content he produces must be factual and informative. He must constantly be aware of the environment around him.
   
   Then for a writer, he needs a strong command of language to be eloquent in his writing. He just writes and let the words flow, without fear of purging and abridging, which may come later.

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   1. 94

      jansharesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for answering, phillippeengel. Excellent distinctions regarding the functions and motivations of both.

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9. 59

   jb-jacobsposted 6 years ago

   I have seen journal articles written in story form with all the facts and no opinions. These are great. I have also read stories with facts and no opinions.
   
   I think journalism is morphing into something that is trying to hold a readers attention in our ever increasing online presence. In some cases, they are breaking the rules to grab attention and be noticed.
   
   With the increase popularity of self publishing, more fiction is available. People can now put their thoughts on to paper quicker. Being that there is a very thin filter, art is now fact based news is more art based. But that doesn't mean that all news articles are breaking the rules.

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