by Ronnie Dauber

Created on: August 18, 2010

Whenever the word “professional” is used to describe a journalist – or anyone in almost any career for that matter - most people automatically picture someone who’s the top in their field, who knows it all and does the job perfectly, who acts, speaks and dresses with professional flare. With human resources constantly promoting the need for education and special training to earn that exclusive credential of “professionalism”, that attitude has become a subliminal message that’s been burned into the back of our thoughts.    

When it comes to jobs, there are a lot of professional journalists out there in the marketplace who are swooping in and grabbing the big stories and writing the books that are getting published.  The journalist who has the credentials and the name to go with it can flaunt their expertise and secure the job while the citizen journalist looks on with despair. And yet, there are as many qualified non-professional journalists who can acquire a story and write it with every bit the expertise and quality as the pro.  

Has the working world become so “professionally” minded that they won’t even consider citizen journalists with any hope of them being able to write an expert opinion or qualified article? Why is it that the unprofessional journalist struggles so much to get recognized and to be accepted?

What makes the pro more trustworthy?

Professional journalists begin their reputation through their qualifying credentials. They get the jobs, they write the stories and their names get the recognition as professionals who people can depend on to write qualified stories . As time goes on, their name becomes more familiar and not only does that automatically qualify them for an array of future articles by reputable companies, but it captures the reader’s willingness to trust in whatever they write. Why? Because their name precedes them.

Citizen journalists, on the other hand, may be every bit as intelligent, knowledgeable and professionally minded as the pro, but they are often considered professional wannabees or simple amateurs with a desire to write. No one trusts them and no one will support them. And sadly, much of the prejudice has been derived from those individuals who have written unjustified opinions or statements without implementing the professional ethics of tact, discernment and respect.

One rotten apple does spoil the bushel

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