Reporter vs Journalist
The distinction between a reporter and a journalist becomes clear when you recognize that one is a sub-category of the other. When we watch news on TV, those who present news, views, and opinions about events are known as reporters. However, in a current affairs program with a panel discussing events or social issues, the main anchor often introduces panelists as journalists and reporters. This can be confusing, as people may not understand the difference between a reporter and a journalist, and sometimes use these terms interchangeably, which is not correct. This article aims to clarify the differences between a reporter and a journalist based on their functions and roles to eliminate any confusion about these professions.
Journalism is a more comprehensive term that includes everyone involved in this field, such as editors, reporters, anchors, photographers, page designers, graphic artists, and so on. Before electronic media, there was no distinction between a journalist and a reporter, as most of the functions that reporters perform today were done by a journalist. Nowadays, due to television, there is a tendency to differentiate between a journalist who writes and gathers information in print media and a reporter who does similar jobs but also appears on TV reporting the events.
Who is a Journalist?
Journalists include people engaged in the field of journalism, such as editors, reporters, anchors, photographers, page designers, graphic artists, and so on. The work carried out by journalists is called journalism, and institutes offer courses in journalism. Columnists, who are also journalists, write informative pieces, and their columns appear in newspapers regularly. Additionally, a journalist requires specific qualifications from mass media institutes, meaning not just anyone can become a journalist. Journalists are supported by education.
Who is a Reporter?
Reporters collect information about an item and write or broadcast it via TV or radio. While there are courses for journalism, there are no institutes conducting courses in reporting because reporting is a part or subset of journalism, not a separate entity. Reporters are a specific type of journalist who gather facts and information and report them on TV and radio.
A significant difference between a journalist and a reporter lies in their qualifications. Nowadays, anyone can become a reporter if they have a presentable personality and can engage the audience for an extended time. Even a regular person can be a reporter today if they have access to a video device and the internet.
What is the difference between Reporter and Journalist?
- Journalism is a broad area of study, of which reporting is just a small part.
- A journalist can be a reporter, while a reporter does not always need to be a journalist.
- A journalist gathers information, analyzes, and writes, while a reporter presents all this in electronic media and print media.
- A reporter is the person who talks on TV and radio and needs a presentable personality, whereas a journalist is often behind the scenes.
- Another significant difference between a journalist and a reporter lies in their qualifications. Anyone can be a reporter. However, to be a journalist, you need to have qualifications such as a degree or a diploma in journalism.
- All journalists are reporters, but not all reporters are journalists.
