Not only does journalism have to keep up to date with the latest forms of communication it also has to learn how to use new technology in a way that is beneficial to journalists and society.
The role of a journalist hasn’t changed drastically over the centuries.
Throughout history; journalists have been expected to keep the public informed with vital information, entertain and promote knowledge and thinking.
But many people in today’s time would say that journalism is dying and that to study it is useless.
This can clearly be seen in many people’s reaction, when I tell them the degree that I am studying, which is a BA Journalism, at the University of Johannesburg, with a second degree in political science.
The most common reaction from these curious individuals is often, “why are you studying that?” or “You’re wasting your time and money”, whilst another reaction is that of amazement and curiosity.
In a cosy office of the Benoni City times, sit five extremely dedicated and great journalists, who are under the command of Hilary Green who devotes her time to ensure that the calibre of the newspaper is maintained and that residents of Benoni get only the best.
The five journalists work constantly, feverishly typing away on their keyboards, filling pages and pages with information vital to every Benonian.
The Benoni City Times journalists give their time and energy, giving 110 per cent to ensure that the weekly newspaper is chockfull of high quality stories that keep the residents of Benoni informed, entertained and up to date with the latest happenings in Benoni.
My week long internship at Benoni City Times, alongside these five skilled journalists, has been a week full of new lessons and great experiences, a once in a lifetime opportunity, that I am extremely grateful for and will never forget.
When I first arrived on Monday morning at the Benoni City Times office, I was slightly unnerved by the busyness and constant movement around the office; I thought to myself as I watched journalists rush in and out of the office “what have you signed up for, this is going to be one heck of a week”.
But after observing and watching the events of the cosy office transpire, I was soon allocated a small table, piled with newspapers and reached a level of calm and focus as I adjusted to my new surroundings, and the sacred table became my little island of paradise.
Just after I had settled in found and my “island” I was given my first story to cover.
It was a moment of pure elation with a small amount of nervousness thrown in for good measure, but once I started working on the article, asking for and receiving assistance from friendly, confident voices whenever it was needed, I realised that this is what I want in my life, this is how I want to leave MY mark on history.
After finishing the article and having handed it to Kevin van der List, the assistant editor of the newspaper, I waited in anticipation, and got told the following workday, Wednesday, that my article had been published on the Benoni City Times website; happiness would be an understatement, “my first article published online!” I was living the life!
Ever since I read a book called: The Bang-Bang Club, written by Greg Marinovich and Joao Silva, I had always wanted to go into the journalism field, my dream was to be the best photojournalist, and create awareness across the world, a little naïve now that I look back at my aspiration.
The book itself focused on and told the stories of four journalists, Greg Marinovich, Joao Silva, Kevin Carter and Ken Oosterbroek during the apartheid struggles and other international assignments.
My dreams were short lived after learning at university that photojournalists were becoming dinosaurs and that print journalists had to take their own photographs.
After learning this, a new fire was ignited, a fire full of passion and desire, I would become a print journalist and take the world by storm.
The internship at Benoni City Times, has not only confirmed to me what I wanted, but also showed me the realities of being a junior journalist, “I have a long road ahead of me if I aim at being an internationally known print journalist”.
No matter the outcome of my career, I will be forever thankful to the Benoni City Times, for allowing me the opportunity to learn and experience a week in the life of a journalist.
