When do you really need a journalist?

Sometimes I wonder if the job I’ve done as a journalist in some way can be defined as important. Sometimes I believe it, other times I doubt it heavily. And now when I study journalism, I wonder if the work I’m going to do as a journalist will be important for anybody.

Well, when I see where a lot of the media is going, I’m not sure. The Norwegian magazine for Journalists, Journalisten, brings this debate today.

A survey, made by the Norwegian Department of Education shows that people think journalism is the less important group in society. Even lawyers are more important than us, according to the survey.

But when I think about it, it might not be that surprising. I think there are  two main reasons why journalists score so low on this survey.

The first reason is that doctors, police officers, nurses and teachers are all groups most people believe are important. What to do without a doctor when you’re sick? But at the same time, as one of those who replied to the article wrote, if you’re sink is out of order, you think the plumber is the most important, or if your tooth aches, then a dentist would be your best friend.

But when do you really need a journalist?

This question leads us to the next reason. Journalists are the big protector of democracy. Those who will make the people know when authorities have misused their power. That is anyway what makes journalism sound important. But it is often not reality.

When I look at the most “important” papers in Norway, I see page after page after page with reports from reality shows, Britney Spears, or why YOU should have more sex to sleep better at night.

I think that this leads to another theory, that was mentioned under the article about the survey.

1. Important journalism is not visible.

2. Visible journalism is not important.

Which group in society do you think is the most important?

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