The traits of good journalism

Regardless of the news subject, news value or format and technology that delivers the information, someone must gather the facts and organize them to tell the story.

Here is a list of 10 essential characteristics shared by the former—successful, or at least respectable—journalists. Few things rival honesty as the primary characteristic of a respectable journalist.

Journalism - Facts & Directory - What Makes A Good Journalist?

Your readers and viewers must trust you, and dishonesty is the surest way to violate that trust. Luck seldom replaces tenacity. The successful journalist embraces caffeine and soldiers on until the job is done, because quitting half way or half-assing the legwork translates directly into an inferior or inaccurate story.

Fortune favors those who take risks, ask uncomfortable questions, and get down and dirty when the job demands it. If you want people to speak to you about a sensitive subject, a little courtesy—a "please" or "I'd really appreciate it"—goes miles to easing their reticence.

The world is vast and beautiful, filled with more information than we could possibly absorb in multiple lifetimes. The most memorable stories are those told in a fresh, creative fashion.

Language & Lit

The successful journo doesn't just recite what happened, they craft the story and wield their words like the tools of an artisan. Most readers and viewers know what to expect in the average story; make them blink and lean forward in their seats. Even if you're honest, you must recognize that others are not.

You will encounter sources that lie, bend the truth, or misremember. Maintaining a high level of skepticism doesn't make you a pessimist, it makes you a realist, and a better reporter. Perhaps a byproduct of writing about an endless, perpetually changing stream of subject matter, accomplished journalists often possess a wide, if shallow, breadth of knowledge.A good journalist has several characteristics that cannot be taught in school.

They are characteristics that must be part of who they are. A good journalist must be resourceful.

Who we are

Resourcefulness gives a person the ability to be able to always find a solution to difficult situations that can sometimes be at a dead end. Characteristics of Good Reporters Regardless of the news subject, news value or format and technology that delivers the information, someone must gather the facts and organize them to tell the story.

That person is called a reporter, and good reporters have some common characteristics that . Essential Qualities of a Good Journalist. No single set of rules exists to define the qualities of the ideal journalist for every publication.

With all the journalistic venues in existence -- from small town newspapers to nationally recognized news magazines, from consumer magazines about cosmetics to scholarly trade. It's Not Rocket Science: 7 Game-Changing Traits for Uncommon Success [Mary Spio] on initiativeblog.com *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers.

Rocket scientist, internet entrepreneur, and popular speaker Mary Spio presents practical advice for . After spotting this question posted by would-be journalists on the sub Reddit real journalism, I put it to senior editors on the Media Helping Media LinkedIn group and asked them what is the best degree for a career in journalism?

The following are some tips that might . Jun 28,  · If you are thinking about a journalism career, ask yourself if you have the qualities of courage, integrity and fairness.

You also need superior written, verbal and interpersonal skills to excel as a newspaper journalist.