:: suzanne yada ::

My last post took very wide liberties with the definition of journalism (and thanks, Eshu, for the link). Sure, this is a classic example of low redefinition, and sure, it was to prove a point, to bring the idea of “journalism” out of the newspapers and into everyday lives. I mean, really, what use is it to pretend your 3-year-old is practicing journalism? Not much, other than to paint a mental image of the craft being practiced without any intention of it.

But the real question is, in practicality, when does it stop being called communication and starts deserving the term journalism?

Merriam-Webster says journalism is “the collection and editing of news for presentation through the media.” OK, so what’s news? Is “Mommy, my diaper needs changing” news? (And does it qualify for the “hyperlocal” definition?) Is screaming “a medium” with which to broadcast to the entire goddamn supermarket? Technically speaking, yes. Practically speaking, no.

Does that make other screaming 3-year-olds such as Bill O’Reilly and Michael Moore journalists? Only by the most basic definition, but they’re using a particular kind of journalism that isn’t looked upon too kindly by others in the business. It’s called “crap,” and it definitely requires a whole ‘nuther blog post to explain.

But back to this. That Merriam-Webster also mentions “editing” in its definition, which has in itself shifted workable definitions with the coming of the journo-bloggers. You don’t have to pass your content through an “editor” anymore, but in a way you’re still editing by simply selecting what to post and what not to, what deserves a one-sentence blurb and what needs a full write-up. But I speak from experience that it is nigh impossible to truly edit your own work. And editing by a second pair of eyes is unfortunately no longer a true prerequisite of journalism.

In fact, being READ by a second pair of eyes is no longer a true prerequisite, either. You can have an audience of zero and still do quality journalism. (If a journalist blogs in the forest and no one is around to hear it, is it still news?)

If that’s not enough to make your head spin, let me ask this question: How does journalism differ from, say, PR and advertising, which are subjects usually taught in the same school at many universities? You’re communicating, sometimes even communicating news, for presentation in the media.

Ah, but that discussion, too, will have to be saved for another post. I’m antsy to get deeper with this, to inform my journo readers with things they didn’t already hear in j-school, as well as my non-journo friends with creative uses for everyday journalism skills. I’m also always open to your feedback and ideas, because I’ll be damned to hell if I know everything about this stuff.

But these are thoughts to keep tumbling in your mind as 1) a news consumer and 2) a news creator. Is Merriam-Webster’s definition enough? When is it journalism, when is it PR and advertising, and when is it just a toddler with a temper tantrum in aisle 3?