Using a dictionary can be a fantastic tool, very informative and helpful when one uses language to discredit the position of another in an intelligent debate. Pity the practice seems to have fallen by the wayside...
Journalism:
1. The collecting, writing, editing, and presenting of news or news articles in newspapers and magazines and in radio and television broadcasts.
2. Material written for publication in a newspaper or magazine or for broadcast.
3. The style of writing characteristic of material in newspapers and magazines, consisting of direct presentation of facts or occurrences with little attempt at analysis or interpretation.
4. Newspapers and magazines.
5. An academic course training students in journalism.
6. Written material of current interest or wide popular appeal.
Newspaper:
A publication, usually issued daily or weekly, containing current news, editorials, feature articles, and usually advertising.
Publisher:
Individual or corporation responsible for the printing and distribution of digital or printed publications. Publishers also handle the marketing efforts for the publications and usually are not the creator of the material. Publishers simply serve as the intermediary between the author of the publication and the consumer market.
Editor, editor in chief:
A person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine).
The way it usually works is that something happens or is about to. Let's call that a STORY. A REPORTER is assigned to cover the STORY. The REPORTER gathers facts through RESEARCH and INTERVIEWS. RESEARCH is the process of analyzing readily available , usually PUBLIC information directly related to the event. Then INTERVIEWS of involved parties are "requested" and if permitted, the REPORTER asks pertinent questions in an attempt to add detail and clarity to the STORY.
A REPORTER cannot fabricate, assume or personally bias the facts collected in this process or the credibility comes into question and it becomes TABLOID JOURNALISM.
On the other hand, espionage:
1. the systematic use of spies to obtain secret information, (especially by governments) to discover military or political secrets
2. the act or practice of spying
How many retired FBI or CIA agents are employed at our local paper. Should the Reporters all be issued Night Vision Goggles? Are any of them skilled in clandestine tactics such as surveillance and wire-tapping? Just how do all the "Armchair Experts" expect them to aquire more information than they are LEGALLY allowed to?
I can't wait for all the "I-know-better-than-you-do" folks to run for office next time around. Should be quite interesting.
Hey, better yet maybe one of them can start another NEWSPAPER! News d'jour. Yeah, "The way I see it" journalism. That would be just SWEET! Maybe there are even some start-up funds available...
Oh yeah, almost forgot. Spell Check is your friend, especially if you want to be taken seriously when posting on a public forum... just my opinion of course, but I'm entitled to it.
