(continuation)
The vital cog in the community press is the community journalist. Without him or her, it’s impossible to run a newspaper. As a business enterprise, it is said that money is the hardest thing to find in run a newspaper. It’s the people who will gather news stories, process and print it—the journalist.
A community journalist wears many hats. While working full or part time, he or she is involved in other trades. Aside from writing for a community newspaper, many community journalists today works as correspondents for other newspapers or moonlights as stringers to national radio and television station, sometimes on an online publication. Thus, the moniker “one-man-news-service.”
Others take a slot in universities as instructors in journalism (the best other job for journalists), some become as consultants, others as salesmen of fire extinguisher like in Bulacan.
Looking at the educational backgrounds of community journalists, not too many were fortunate enough to go to college, few completed Journalism course and a handful made it to graduate school. This is not to require you to get more degrees, but we must realize that as a profession, journalism is extremely competitive. If you will not update your skills and knowledge all the time, chances are, you will be booted out. We must keep on reading and studying.
Physical security is one of the major concerns of community journalists today. At least 78 journalists were killed in the line of duty since 1986, mostly from the provinces. Thus, PPI, CMFR and NUJP has been advising community journalists to take extra precaution like being detached especially from petty politicians.
But like their counterparts in the national capital region, community journalists also enjoy perks of the job.
They rub elbows with the high mighty on weekdays, eat on the same restaurant with unusual personalities for dinner, and on Sunday, attend the same church with alleged gambling lords, logging bosses and the masses.
Community journalists are usually popular in their communities depending on their credibility.
Community journalists go places. We climb the highest mountains, cross rampaging rivers and untamed seas just to get stories. If you love places and a little adventure, you’ll love community journalism.
How does a community journalists work?
My daily routine revolves around the WORLD. That stands for watch, observe, read, listen, and do the story.
Before going to bed at night, I see to it that I watch television for latest news. This way, will have an idea what story to follow the next day.
I also observe people within my community. How they move, what they do and what they think.
I also made it a habit to read newspaper every morning. Not Mabuhay, but the daily newspapers. My morning is not complete without it.
I also listen to radio newscast aside from what people say about on what is happening around. This habit keeps me on top of the situation.
Before noontime, I used to have a story ready based on my interviews that were ‘tipped’ from the radio, TV or daily newspaper. After taking my lunch, I am ready to do my stories, and go home before 4PM, unless there is a breaking story.
Going around the WORLD is my habit.
Community journalist
The vital cog in the community press is the community journalist. Without him or her, it’s impossible to run a newspaper. As a business enterprise, it is said that money is the hardest thing to find in run a newspaper. It’s the people who will gather news stories, process and print it—the journalist.
A community journalist wears many hats. While working full or part time, he or she is involved in other trades. Aside from writing for a community newspaper, many community journalists today works as correspondents for other newspapers or moonlights as stringers to national radio and television station, sometimes on an online publication. Thus, the moniker “one-man-news-service.”
Others take a slot in universities as instructors in journalism (the best other job for journalists), some become as consultants, others as salesmen of fire extinguisher like in Bulacan.
Looking at the educational backgrounds of community journalists, not too many were fortunate enough to go to college, few completed Journalism course and a handful made it to graduate school. This is not to require you to get more degrees, but we must realize that as a profession, journalism is extremely competitive. If you will not update your skills and knowledge all the time, chances are, you will be booted out. We must keep on reading and studying.
Physical security is one of the major concerns of community journalists today. At least 78 journalists were killed in the line of duty since 1986, mostly from the provinces. Thus, PPI, CMFR and NUJP has been advising community journalists to take extra precaution like being detached especially from petty politicians.
But like their counterparts in the national capital region, community journalists also enjoy perks of the job.
They rub elbows with the high mighty on weekdays, eat on the same restaurant with unusual personalities for dinner, and on Sunday, attend the same church with alleged gambling lords, logging bosses and the masses.
Community journalists are usually popular in their communities depending on their credibility.
Community journalists go places. We climb the highest mountains, cross rampaging rivers and untamed seas just to get stories. If you love places and a little adventure, you’ll love community journalism.
How does a community journalists work?
My daily routine revolves around the WORLD. That stands for watch, observe, read, listen, and do the story.
Before going to bed at night, I see to it that I watch television for latest news. This way, will have an idea what story to follow the next day.
I also observe people within my community. How they move, what they do and what they think.
I also made it a habit to read newspaper every morning. Not Mabuhay, but the daily newspapers. My morning is not complete without it.
I also listen to radio newscast aside from what people say about on what is happening around. This habit keeps me on top of the situation.
Before noontime, I used to have a story ready based on my interviews that were ‘tipped’ from the radio, TV or daily newspaper. After taking my lunch, I am ready to do my stories, and go home before 4PM, unless there is a breaking story.
Going around the WORLD is my habit.
