What makes a good Journalist?

I have been asked to write 150 words on what makes a good Journalist, and although I could write 1500 words on the subject, here is the most broad piece I could have written about it:

Journalists’ quality nowadays is typically judged by what does not make a good journalist, due to the bad reputation tagged to the word ‘Journalism’. Some may say that all Journalists are biased, bent on twisting stories to make people look terrible, and are horrific liars! They are demons!

But, if you consider the opposite definitions of the above assumptions, then we arrive at what a good journalist should be – and what most journalists are typically like. They are taught to be disinterested in their work, to avoid causing disrepute and to avoid all sorts of inaccuracy. And, of course, they are most certainly not demons.

A good journalist will convey all information in an appropriate and law-abiding manner, acting as the public’s gateway to current world and local issues, such as the Arab Spring, or even David Cameron’s conference speech. A good journalist serves the public for the public’s sake!

You may recognise some themes from the Media Law post I made a couple of weeks ago. If not, take a look! But I have found that I am becoming more and more clued up on how Journalism really is even after these few weeks, and it really shows in assessment pieces like these.

Please feel free to comment and tell me what you think makes a good Journalist.