journalism

American  

[jur-nl-iz-uhm] / ˈdʒɜr nlˌɪz əm /

noun

1. the occupation of reporting, writing, editing, photographing, or broadcasting news or of conducting any news organization as a business.

2. press.

3. a course of study preparing students for careers in reporting, writing, and editing for newspapers and magazines.

4. writing that reflects superficial thought and research, a popular slant, and hurried composition, conceived of as exemplifying topical newspaper or popular magazine writing as distinguished from scholarly writing.

   He calls himself a historian, but his books are mere journalism.

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journalism British  

/ ˈdʒɜːnəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the profession or practice of reporting about, photographing, or editing news stories for one of the mass media

2. newspapers and magazines collectively; the press

3. the material published in a newspaper, magazine, etc

   this is badly written journalism

4. news reports presented factually without analysis

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Etymology

Origin of journalism

From the French word journalisme, dating back to 1825–35. See journal, -ism

Explanation

If your dream job includes writing for a newspaper or interviewing famous people for a magazine, you hope to someday work in the field of journalism. Working for a radio or TV news show, a magazine, a newspaper, or a news-related website would all be considered journalism. Those jobs might include reporting, writing, editing, photography, or documentary film making. An individual newspaper or magazine is sometimes called a "journal," and the category of these publications is also called journalism. The first newspaper ever published was a German journal printed in Strassburg in 1605, called "Relation aller Fürnemmen und gedenckwürdigen Historien."

Example Sentences

But they also issued an ultimatum: “If we can continue doing the work that made this show what it is—committing acts of independent, fearless journalism and storytelling—we’re here for it. If not, we leave.”

From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026

And then there’s the world that “60 Minutes” has managed to carve out for itself over nearly six decades, one that combines outstanding journalism and massive numbers.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

At the time of her appointment, Weiss said she and Paramount CEO David Ellison were aligned in their desire for “news that reflects reality” and journalism that “doesn’t seek to demonize, but seeks to understand.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

"That was a computer which was used in journalism, and there are protections for journalistic material," McGuinness said.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

By combining journalism with anthropology, I’ve tried in previous writings not simply to observe but to participate in the lives of railroad tramps, illegal Mexican immigrants, Kenyan truckers, and even the elite of Aspen, Colorado.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover