Specialist Journalism, by Tim Hannigan
Academic Source: Book
Chapter: Specialist Journalism
In Text Reference: (Hannigan 2013) / Hannigan (2013) has argued…
Full Reference: HANNIGAN, T., 2013. Specialist Journalism. New York: Routledge
Travel Journalism FMP Analytical Report Both
What is it that defines a ‘specialist’ reporter from a ‘general’ reporter? Common
sense dictates that specialist skills are derived from either educational study
(such as knowledge of the law) or from first-hand experience (for example
‘coalface’ politics). A reporter is unlikely to be regarded as an expert on a
discipline by token of his/her academic qualifications. Is a ‘general’ reporter
(including general sports reporters) in-expert? Surely not.
A news writer is a man without virtue who writes lies at home for his own profit.
To these compositions is required neither genius nor knowledge, neither industry
nor sprightliness, but contempt of shame and indifference to the truth are
absolutely necessary.
What is specialist journalism? Why is it in a reporter’s interests to develop
expertise in a particular field? How is it done? These are some of the practical
questions this book sets out to address. Contributing authors also pose some
critical and ethical questions. Is a specialist reporter to be trusted, simply
because he or she knows more about the topic than a colleague? Is he or she
siding with the public, the advertiser or the people in the hierarchy of the
particular field (what the Sir Humphrey Appleby’s of the world term ‘going
native’)? What does recent history tell us about the relationship between the
journalist and his or her quarry, such as the police, the travel industry, or
celebrities and sports stars? So, this is a practical guide aimed at both journalism
Academic Source: Book
Chapter: Specialist Journalism
In Text Reference: (Hannigan 2013) / Hannigan (2013) has argued…
Full Reference: HANNIGAN, T., 2013. Specialist Journalism. New York: Routledge
Travel Journalism FMP Analytical Report Both
What is it that defines a ‘specialist’ reporter from a ‘general’ reporter? Common
sense dictates that specialist skills are derived from either educational study
(such as knowledge of the law) or from first-hand experience (for example
‘coalface’ politics). A reporter is unlikely to be regarded as an expert on a
discipline by token of his/her academic qualifications. Is a ‘general’ reporter
(including general sports reporters) in-expert? Surely not.
A news writer is a man without virtue who writes lies at home for his own profit.
To these compositions is required neither genius nor knowledge, neither industry
nor sprightliness, but contempt of shame and indifference to the truth are
absolutely necessary.
What is specialist journalism? Why is it in a reporter’s interests to develop
expertise in a particular field? How is it done? These are some of the practical
questions this book sets out to address. Contributing authors also pose some
critical and ethical questions. Is a specialist reporter to be trusted, simply
because he or she knows more about the topic than a colleague? Is he or she
siding with the public, the advertiser or the people in the hierarchy of the
particular field (what the Sir Humphrey Appleby’s of the world term ‘going
native’)? What does recent history tell us about the relationship between the
journalist and his or her quarry, such as the police, the travel industry, or
celebrities and sports stars? So, this is a practical guide aimed at both journalism
