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

It’s possible that CBS will calm down, and that Bilton will prove himself to be an independent editor able to attract talent and cultivate great journalism.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described him as "a true giant in journalism" who is now "helping others feel less alone and raising awareness of a condition that affects so many families".

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

“There is no question that the CBS News brand is severely damaged right now,” said Michael Socolow, a former television journalist who is now a communication and journalism professor at the University of Maine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

For geeks, both politics and journalism represent—in Jesse’s words—“an insane and useless” system that has little bearing on their lives.

From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz