Writer, reporter, journalist or hack?

WHICH do you prefer?

When I was asked if I'd like to join the ranks of the freelancers profiled in the features pages of Journobiz, one of the questions was 'what makes a good journalist'?

Here's my answer:

For me, despite saying how much I love writing, it’s about the reporting skills. You have to be able to win people round to talking to you over other people, treading a fine line between keeping them on side and your editor happy.

You need nerves of steel and a strong work ethic, being able to think on your feet and not let go until you have the best story you can get – however tough the questions may be. I by far prefer the term ‘reporter’ to describe most of what I’ve done throughout my career. It winds me up that so many people seem to call themselves a ‘journalist’ when they have no concept of the way newspapers or magazines work. And as for “writer,” don’t get me started!

I look at that now and can see that my words could be misconstrued.

What I meant was that personally, when asked what I do, I would never answer "writer" as I have always considered this more fitting of authors of works of fiction or respected wordsmiths whose glowing prose lights up the pages of our more upmarket newspapers.

Which term best describes what you do?

[Linda]

Here's my answer:

For me, despite saying how much I love writing, it’s about the reporting skills. You have to be able to win people round to talking to you over other people, treading a fine line between keeping them on side and your editor happy.

You need nerves of steel and a strong work ethic, being able to think on your feet and not let go until you have the best story you can get – however tough the questions may be. I by far prefer the term ‘reporter’ to describe most of what I’ve done throughout my career. It winds me up that so many people seem to call themselves a ‘journalist’ when they have no concept of the way newspapers or magazines work. And as for “writer,” don’t get me started!

I look at that now and can see that my words could be misconstrued.

What I meant was that personally, when asked what I do, I would never answer "writer" as I have always considered this more fitting of authors of works of fiction or respected wordsmiths whose glowing prose lights up the pages of our more upmarket newspapers.

Which term best describes what you do?

Comments

[Clare Lynch]

Great site! I will definitely put you on the goodcopybadcopy blog roll.

I've often struggled how to describe myself and, I'll be honest, I use the 'w' word. Why? Because I feel it's sufficiently broad to encompass what I do - from advertising copy to interviews with CEOs for staff magazines.

"Journalist" or "reporter" seem misleading because there's usually a PR element to my work, yet "copywriter", aside from having a whiff of tautology about it, doesn't convey the amount of research I have to do.

Perhaps I should be using "hack"?

[Dave Lee]

I like writer. Not entirely sure why, I think it just gives a greater emphasis on the skill involved. A reporter, to me, sounds like a cog in the machine.

[Sally]

Note from Linda: This comment was left on an earlier version of this piece - but it's so good I'm adding it:

My working definitions based on good old fashioned prejudice, i'm sure....

Writer: JD Salinger. Or a journalist who sincerely believes that good journalism is somehow all about crafting words, each one a golden nugget. Until he meets his first real sub.

Hack: A tabloid journalist who has apparently confused his job with that of crime-fighting sidekick. 'Hack' smacks of someone who spits in the eye of authority and who would shaft his grandma for a page lead.

Journo: Someone who wishes journalism was a bit more like PR where they all have fun nicknames.

Reporter: Kate Adie. John Simpson. Someone who goes out and reports on actual events that are newsworthy and interesting.

Journalist: the rest of us who realise most of what we do just fills up the pages between the ads and if we're lucky, our mates or our next boss might read it.