The fundamental characteristics of a good journalist in today’s society include; integrity, persistence and good work ethic.
It is important to have a strong moral compass and to have the confidence and self-belief to stand up for what you believe in.
As a journalism student I have already learnt how imperative the capacity to overcome a range of obstacles are. Without persistence and good work ethic, nothing worthwhile would ever be written. I mean, imagine if Wilfred Burchett actually did what he was supposed to and stayed in Tokyo after the first atomic bomb was dropped…
These values are all crucial in the ever-changing world of journalism. As technology develops journalists are expected to evolve alongside it, which is why persistence is extremely important. I’ve grown up with technology my entire life, and yet struggle to create an excel spreadsheet, so I am well aware that it’s going to take a lot of determination to meet the demands of our industry.
I recently read an article published in the New York Times last December titled “They Are Slaughtering Us Like Animals”. It epitomised everything that I believe good journalism to be. Photojournalist Daniel Berehulak combined photos, videos, and text to fully capture the barbarity of President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign in the Philippines.
Above: “A Father’s Funeral” – by Daniel Berehulak
To be able to produce a piece of work which forces an issue like this into the spotlight on an Global scale, is something to aspire to. It would require immense integrity, persistence and a very high level of work ethic, and Berehulak demonstrates the power of good journalism to create change.
