journalism
B2Formal/Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The activity or profession of writing, editing, and publishing news and articles for newspapers, magazines, television, radio, or online media.
The style, content, and practices associated with the news media, often implying a set of professional standards and ethics. It can also refer to academic study of media and reporting, or, informally, to any kind of regular, factual reporting on a specific subject.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a mass noun, it denotes the activity, product, or profession as a whole. When referring to a specific piece, 'journalistic piece', 'article', or 'report' is used.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. Spelling conventions (e.g., 'centre' vs. 'center') apply in related compounds. The concept and professional standards are largely shared.
Connotations
In both dialects, it carries connotations of investigation, public service, and ethical responsibility. Can also have negative connotations related to sensationalism ('tabloid journalism'), which is equally applicable.
Frequency
Equally common and fundamental in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
She studied journalism at university.His journalism on the corruption scandal won a prize.There has been a decline in local journalism.The book is a masterpiece of narrative journalism.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Gotcha journalism”
- “Checkbook journalism”
- “Churnalism”
- “Journalism of attachment”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the media industry sector, e.g., 'The company invests in digital journalism ventures.'
Academic
Refers to the field of study and its theories, e.g., 'She lectures on the history of journalism.'
Everyday
Used when discussing news sources or careers, e.g., 'I don't trust the journalism in that paper.'
Technical
In media studies, refers to specific methodologies, genres, or ethics, e.g., 'Data journalism requires new skill sets.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He journalised the proceedings for The Times. (archaic/rare)
- The event was well journalised in the local press. (archaic/rare)
American English
- She journalized the expedition. (archaic/rare)
- The scandal was journalized across the nation. (archaic/rare)
adverb
British English
- The piece was written journalistically, with a focus on verified facts. (rare)
- He approached the topic journalistically. (rare)
American English
- She reported the story journalistically, adhering to ethical codes. (rare)
- The blog operates journalistically despite not being a formal outlet. (rare)
adjective
British English
- He took a journalistic approach to the biography.
- The programme had great journalistic integrity.
American English
- She has strong journalistic instincts.
- The project required journalistic rigor.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My brother wants to study journalism.
- We read about it in the newspaper – that's journalism.
- Good journalism helps people understand the world.
- She got a job in journalism after finishing university.
- Investigative journalism often reveals corruption that authorities miss.
- The decline of local journalism has left many communities without reliable news.
- His trenchant journalism on the climate crisis has influenced policy debates.
- The proliferation of citizen journalism has fundamentally disrupted traditional media gatekeeping.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a JOURNAL (daily record) written about ISMs (ideologies, events) = JOURNALISM. It's the daily recording of current events.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOURNALISM IS A WATCHDOG (monitoring power). JOURNALISM IS A MIRROR (reflecting society). JOURNALISM IS A CONVERSATION (facilitating public discourse).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'журналистика' (correct) and 'журнал' (a magazine). 'Журнализм' is an archaic/rare calque. The profession is 'журналист', not 'журналистик'. The Russian word covers both the activity and the academic field, just like English.
Common Mistakes
- Using as a countable noun (e.g., 'He wrote a journalism' - INCORRECT; correct: 'He wrote a journalistic piece/article').
- Confusing 'journalism' (activity/profession) with 'journal' (a diary or academic publication).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes 'checkbook journalism'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Journalism' is the broader profession and field, encompassing ethics, editing, and publishing. 'Reporting' is a core activity within journalism, specifically the gathering and presenting of facts and news.
Primarily, but it extends to feature writing, commentary, reviews, and in-depth analysis. 'Narrative journalism' or 'literary journalism' blends factual reporting with storytelling techniques.
Almost never. It is a mass noun. To refer to a single instance, use 'a piece of journalism', 'an article', or 'a report'.
It's a metaphorical term for the press, seen as a fourth branch of government (alongside legislature, executive, judiciary) that holds power accountable through publicity and scrutiny.
Collections
Part of a collection
Media Analysis
B2 · 49 words · Critically analyzing media and information.