The making of a 'good' journalist : education or experience ?

Abstract

In Malta as elsewhere in the Mediterranean, although journalists are not as powerful as the government and non governmental pressure groups, they occupy a key position which over the years may have been used and abused to influence the political process and policy decisions of our country. Journalism is considered a story and information gathering in the public service and also as a propaganda tool. But what is good journalism and what makes good journalists? These questions have been asked even in the 70's when journalism was not as complex as it is today. The oldest publications I came across while undergoing my research for this dissertation was a publication of a conference by AZAD Centre (Frendo 1979) Frendo said Maltese journalism grew in an unnatural political climate and was more seriously conditioned by colonialism than is generally understood. Frendo spoke of the Maltese journalistic tradition which at that time he said was not as solid as it may have seemed to be, because of the inevitable consequence of the havoc caused by successive waves and patterns of assimilation. He narrates how in the last two centuries this little island changed drastically from being exclusively Italianate in education to being predominantly anglicised in outlook and how it has become more and more Maltese over the years. More than twenty six years ago Frendo spoke about the necessity of well trained staff reporters who can put in a good, properly written story that would not need to be drastically changed or rewritten. He said this would ease the editor's responsibility and time wasting activities would be reduced. He said time could be supplanted by more policy-making, long term planning and personal attention to correspondents. Frendo said that an enthusiastic reporter may easily become discouraged and demoralised in proportion to his intelligence and ability. He spoke about the structures of decision making within newspaper establishments which he said are of vital importance. Frendo said that unless the attempt at making journalism balanced, investigative and effective has the beneplacito of those at the top in the establishment the best reports will not be printed. Frendo added that a professional touch may serve only to damn the promising, enterprising journalist in the eyes of recalcitrant superiors and jealous colleagues. He said that such professional training is of course no less important for radio and television and added that alas, it is as lacking as it is needed. In his paper Frendo said that the whole field of communications has become so polluted that the attempt to make it fair and objective will immediately be interpreted as a sign of weakness. Nowadays as always, journalists face enormous daily pressures to obtain accurate and objective information while working against deadlines and editors breathing down their neck. Most of the Maltese journalist work for a triple organisational structure owned by the government, a political party, trade union or the church who envisage journalists as their loudspeakers. Today's journalists are also facing the impact of pluralism on the Maltese Media due to more pressures and competition in an over saturated market. Most of the editors interviewed for this long essay cited lack of human and financial resources as their major constraints whilst journalists speak of long unstable hours and stress. Many claim that most of the Maltese journalists are not professionals but the word professional journalism was never defined by the people who made these accusations. Some say it is because they posses no academic qualifications whilst others say journalism is learnt through experience. Most of the editors interviewed for this dissertation claim that the courses available in Malta in journalism are not preparing students well enough whilst others claim experience on the field is what makes a good journalist. Others speak about a blend of professional training and hands on experience to create the best journalists. But what makes good journalists, is it experience or higher education?