Peirspictiochtai Ar An Saol
Zero-Based News
Part Two
This news series continues by detailing additional types of journalists, with each type having a different function.
An archivist is someone who gathers information and places it in one depository. An archivist does not typically pick and choose what to gather, but gathers everything possible within their responsibilities. In many cases, an archivist is not considered a journalist. However, the depositories created and maintained by archivists are critical to providing information that can be utilized by journalists as additional news content is created.
An assignment desk representative is someone who determines what will be the news content for that specific news organization. This individual typically assigns other individuals to prepare news content. An assignment desk representative may be the one making initial contact with potential news sources as well as gathering background information. The individual may also be the one who receives tips from sources about potential news content.
A blogger is someone who prepares news content that may include objective news content, their point of view on a subject, or a mixture of the two. Typically, a blogger is using the written word in their blog on the internet.
A comic strip creator is someone who may take news content and put it in a visual format to make a statement about a subject. This individual may also focus on a slice of life and poke fun at that activity or subject.
A curator searches out news content that they determine would be of interest for a specific purpose. That purpose could be news content focused on a specific issue with that news content coming from a variety of sources. Rather than a reader, viewer, or listener having to go to many different sources, the curator brings together news content of interest to a specific audience.
A digital content creator is similar to a blogger in that this individual may create news content that includes objective news content, their point of view on a subject, or a mixture of the two. The difference is that a digital content creator usually includes a variety of audio, video, and written content to create their overall news content.
A documentarian is someone who creates a record detailing a subject. This individual documents the words, the actions, and other activities to provide a detailed account of a specific subject.
An editor reviews news content created by others. The individual then edits the news content for specific purposes. These could include clarity, adherence to specific standards, language, or a wide variety of other priorities of the specific editor and/or the specific news organization.
An editorial writer creates news content that represents the viewpoint of a specific news organization. This individual may utilize objective news content as a foundation to then present the point of view of the specific news organization. An editorial writer makes the argument for or against a subject as determined by a specific news organization. While an editorial writer may or may not agree with the point of view of an editorial they prepare, an editorial writer is not presenting their personal point of view. Instead, they are presenting the point of view of the news organization.
In this way, an editorial writer can be seen as being similar to an attorney where an attorney is hired to represent the interests of a client. An attorney may or may not agree with the viewpoints or actions of their client, but an attorney will strive to present the best possible case on behalf of their client. A good editorial writer is able to make an argument that presents the best possible case for a point of view of the specific news organization.
The next news column in this series will focus on additional types of journalists.
Peirspictiochtai Ar An Saol – Gaelic – Irish – for "Perspectives On Life" is a column focused on aspects of accountability and responsibility as well as ways people look at life.
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