Journalist facts for kids
A journalist is a person whose job is to find and report the news. They work in a field called journalism. Journalists might work for themselves (this is called "freelance") or for a newspaper, a radio station, or a television programme. There are many different types of journalists.
A reporter is a common type of journalist. Reporters find, write, and share information. For example, newspaper reporters write articles and stories for newspapers. They do this by interviewing people, asking questions, and doing lots of research.
It is very important for reporters to tell the truth in their stories. Being truthful is a key part of all journalism jobs. If journalists do not tell the truth, they can face serious consequences. They might be suspended from work for a short time or even lose their jobs.
Sometimes, news reports might show bias instead of being completely fair and balanced. Being fair and balanced is called objectivity.
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Dangers for Journalists
Journalists sometimes face danger when doing their job. This is especially true when they report from areas with armed conflict or places where the freedom of the press is not respected. This means they might not be allowed to report freely.
Organizations like Reporters Without Borders create reports about how free the press is around the world. They also work to protect press freedom. The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that as of December 13, 2022, 363 journalists were imprisoned for reporting the news. The number is even higher now.
The countries with the most journalists in prison include China, Iran, Myanmar, Turkey, Vietnam, Belarus, Eritrea, Bahrain, and India. In the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, at least 30 journalists were killed while covering the events.
Different Journalism Jobs
There are many different types of jobs within journalism.
Columnist
A columnist writes their own opinions and viewpoints for a newspaper or magazine. Their articles often share their personal thoughts on a topic.
Correspondent
A correspondent is a journalist who reports from a faraway place. They send their reports back to a newspaper, radio, or television station that is based somewhere else. A foreign correspondent reports news from another country.
Fact Checker
A fact checker has a very important job. They check that all the facts written in news reports are correct and true.
Copy Editor
A copy editor checks for mistakes in spelling and grammar. They make sure the articles are well-written and easy to read.
News Presenter or Anchor
A news presenter, also known as an anchor, is the person who presents the news during a news program on TV or radio.
Photojournalist
A photojournalist is a journalist who takes photographs to tell a news story. Their pictures help people understand what happened.
Political Commentator
A political commentator is a journalist who shares their non-objective (not completely neutral) viewpoint in a discussion about politics.
Images for kids
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A program director sets the task for TV journalists, 1998.
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Journalist interviews a cosplayer, 2012.
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Official tastes the water of a new well in front of journalists in Mogadishu, Somalia, 2014.
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Cameraman and journalist who interviews a person in Austria.
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Related pages
See also
In Spanish: Periodista para niños
