Journalism comes in many forms such as newspapers, magazines, television, wire services, computer networks and photographs. The word journal comes from the Latin word diurnus, meaning belonging to the day. A journalist then would mean the person who reports news day to day. The journalist could be a reporter, writer, editor, photographer, commentator or the person who keeps a journal or diary of the days events. Many people depend on journalists either the electronic or written word to keep up to date on their local, community, state and country or worldly events.

Stories usually happen very quickly around the world, like NATO in Kosovo or severe weather. Modern methods of getting the news out usually come from the broadcast media, that is, the television, radio, satellite, or wire service. Broadcasts can interrupt the regular scheduled programming to give news or weather updates as the event is actually happening.

The news mediums use sound and pictures on a television broadcast that leave us with a lasting impression. Documentaries from past historical events that carry actual footage of the events can leave us with a permanent memory such as a nuclear explosion, the shuttle exploding or scenes of atrocities from around the world. The local news can have crews on location within minutes broadcasting live events while they are actually happening such as hostage situations, robberies or fires.

The print media can give perhaps the greatest in depth without actually seeing the event. Newspapers and other printed media, including books, can give information background because there is more time and space to give descriptions and meanings. Some printed material such as magazines are designed for certain topics such as sports, food, clothes, men, women, teens, children, gardening, building, and many numerous topics. Usually you can purchase these at newsstands or can order a subscription by mail.

One of the primary roles of the journalist is to give fair, accurate and unbiased opinions of the events as they unfold. Many times the only way something is brought to the attention of the public is through investigative reporting or actual on the scene reporting. Journalists are often referred to as the eyes and ears of the citizens. Often, the journalist is called upon to interpret the news as it is happening such as a news conference, public event or a court proceeding. The downfall of President Nixon by reporters who investigated the Watergate break-in is an example of the power of the press.

Another role of the journalist is to give us humor or entertain us. Political cartoons with the satires, human-interest stories, commentaries with witty statements on the subject being written about, can amuse us as we read the paper in the morning. The comics in the paper have quite a following. Crossword puzzles and other daily articles are the main reasons some people keep reading the papers.

Freedom of the press is a basic liberty in America. Most democratic governments allow journalists the right to express themselves. With a privilege, comes responsibility of these rights. Controversy in writing such as what is found in tabloids (sensationalism in a small form of a newspaper). How far should a journalist go to get a story, without infringing or invading the privacy and rights of others? Who decides what is printable or appropriate to go to press? Lawsuits against these types of tabloids are becoming common place.

Problems in freedom of information can make it difficult to give an accurate reporting of stories. A woman is raped, a juvenile because of his age does not have his name given, or the source of an investigation doesn't want to be identified. Protecting the sources is a duty of the journalist. Witnesses in crime would be in harms way if their identities were revealed. Some reporters have gone to jail, rather then reveal their sources. The right of the press to be present has been upheld in court cases. The press has even gotten to invasions such as Somali, as the invasion was starting to take place. The television and photographers in the courtroom is still a controversial issue.

The future of journalism is limitless because of the rapid advances in technology. Hopefully the print media, such as newspapers and books, will continue to be used. These are cheap and easy to carry with a person. The electronic medium like CD Roms, is an increasing avenue to the information age. The multimedia technologies, blending text, sound, and images could possibly be the wave of the future.