What is and isn’t Journalism?

I have spent a considerable amount of time thinking about what I would and wouldn’t deem to be journalism, and in all honestly, feel this is a tougher question than I thought it would be. Journalism comes in so many styles from so many publishers now thanks to digital media, and because of this, it almost feels like you’re trying to find a needle in a haystack to find the few pieces that aren’t journalism since almost anything and everything is.

What I consider to be journalism

When thinking about what I consider to be journalism, one example is an article published by the New York Times on September 9th of this year, discussing the beginnings of a criminal investigation taking place surrounding the migrant flights that were directed to Martha’s Vineyard unbeknownst to the migrant passengers on board. 

The first reason I consider this to be journalism is because the source it comes from is well-known and well-trusted. Though in this class we have discussed that in the digital era, it’s possible for anyone to be a journalist, the American Journalism Handbook talks about how Journalism can be defined by the institutions that produce it. In this case, the New York Times is an incredibly well-established and reputable site that hundreds of thousands of people rely on as their source keeping them well-informed on what’s happening in the world.

Another reason I consider this article to be journalism is because it has been fact-checked and the events that took place have been confirmed using quotes from people directly involved in the incident and the direction it has taken. This includes Sheriff Javier Salazar of Bexar County – responsible for San Antonio, Texas – who has opened the investigation of this event, as well as Taryn Fenske, the communications director for Mr. Desantis, showing both sides of a story or multiple, fact -checked perspectives. 

Lastly, and most importantly, it provides the service of setting the value that should be associated with an issue of this magnitude. Yes, politicians used migrants as a publicity stunt, and that’s inhumane and disgusting. But this stunt will not go unpunished, and here’s what’s happening to migrants because of this and the extra obstacles that arose because of it and the efforts of trying to help these people.

What I wouldn’t consider journalism

One example of something I would not consider to be journalism is one of the many mind-numbing quizzes you can take on BuzzFeed’s website. Yes, BuzzFeed itself can be a source of journalism, but their page of trivia quizzes making predictions on your zodiac sign or what your fall esthetic is don’t offer anything substantial in the name of journalism. The one quiz I am choosing to use as an example of what is not journalism is a quiz entitled, “Play A Game of ‘This Or That’ We’ll Guess If You’re Team Instagram Or Team Twitter.”

The reason I don’t consider this online interactive article to be journalism is because of its lack of substance, among other things. There is no story being told, no information of value being provided to the public – except for the anticipation and excitement of if the quiz guessed your preferred social media platform. The truth is, you already know that information, and therefore you aren’t being told anything new. It’s not creating any greater change or impact on the community, and isn’t keeping the public informed on significant events.