In this article, we’re diving deep into the dynamic and sometimes blurred lines between bloggers vs journalists.
Have you ever wondered how a blogger’s personal storytelling differs from a journalist’s fact-driven reporting?
Or perhaps, where the two might overlap?
Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a curious reader, or someone navigating the vast sea of online information, this exploration into the “Blogger vs Journalist” debate is for you. In this article, you’ll be able to unravel the roles, responsibilities, and realities of bloggers and journalists in today’s digital age.
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So, let’s dive right in.
Blogger vs Journalist: Overview
When we talk about “Blogger vs Journalist”, we’re actually looking at two very different career paths you might decide to take.
First off, what is a blog and who is a blogger?
A blog is like your online diary or magazine where you, as a blogger, share your thoughts, experiences, or knowledge about anything. It’s your personal space on the internet where you’re free to express yourself.
You don’t need any special degree to create a blog of your own.
And, there are plenty of blogging platforms out there like WordPress or Blogger where you can create a blog for free.
Now, to become a journalist, it’s a bit more structured.
Journalists work for newspapers, magazines, or news websites. They report on current events and stories happening around the world. They need to stick to the facts and often have a degree in journalism. Their writing is more formal and they have to follow strict ethical rules.
Journalists also have editors who check their work, and they need to be careful about their sources to make sure they’re telling the truth.
So, what’s the main difference?
Well, as a blogger, I have the freedom to write in my own style and share my personal opinions. I might not always need to do deep research or interviews like journalists do. But that doesn’t mean I don’t care about facts! Good bloggers also do their homework, but we have more freedom.
Journalists, on the other hand, have a responsibility to give unbiased, accurate information to the public. They are trained to investigate and report on events objectively. They often have to go out into the field, gather information firsthand, and then write about it in a way that makes sense to everyone.
If you love sharing your own ideas, knowledge, experiences, and building a community around it, blogging might be better for you.
But if you’re passionate about uncovering the truth and reporting on important events, then you might want to become a journalist.
Both paths are important and valuable in their own ways.
In the end, whether you choose to create a blog or become a journalist, what matters is how you connect with your audience.
Blogger vs Journalist: Platforms
When we compare Bloggers vs Journalists, it’s super important to think about where they do their work – or in fancy words, their platforms.
As a blogger, it’s all about the digital space.
There are loads of blog hosting sites where I can set up my blog. The most popular one you might have heard of is WordPress. It’s like my online home where I invite people to read my stories or articles.
WordPress is popular, with over 500 million websites using it!
That’s huge, right?
And there are other blogging platforms too, like Blogger and Tumblr, each with its own unque features for bloggers.
Now, you might be wondering, “Is blogging worth it?”
Well, with the freedom to express myself and the potential to reach millions, I’d say yes! And, I can also make money blogging. Cool, right?
On the other side, journalists have a different scene.
They usually work for newspapers, magazines, TV channels, or news websites. Their platforms are more traditional and formal.
Think of big names like The New York Times or BBC News. These platforms have strict rules and editors checking every piece of information.
Journalists need to make sure they’re giving the most accurate news to their readers or viewers.
But, journalists are catching up in the digital world too. Many newspapers and TV channels have their own websites and even apps where they share news. So, they’re not just stuck with paper and TV; they’re online too, reaching out to people who prefer reading news on their phones or computers.
So, what’s the deal with platforms?
As a blogger, I’ve got a ton of choices for blog hosting sites. I can pick one that suits my style and start sharing my stories with the world. For journalists, their platforms might be more traditional and less about personal choice, but they’re also moving online to keep up with the digital world.
Blogger vs Journalist: Writing Style
As a blogger, my writing style is pretty chill and conversational. I’m talking to you like we’re friends chatting over lunch. I use contractions like “I’m” and “you’re” to keep things relaxed. When I write blog posts, I get to share my opinions, feelings, and experiences directly with you.
There’s also a bunch of writing tools and grammar checking apps that help me keep my posts clean and reader-friendly.
And the best part?
I can publish my articles on free blogging sites without spending a penny. This means I can focus more on what I love without rules.
Now, let’s talk about journalists.
Their writing style is more formal and super focused on facts. They’ve got to make sure everything they say is accurate and unbiased.
They don’t really throw in their personal opinions like I do. Instead, they report the who, what, when, where, and why – sticking to the details of the story.
Journalists also use writing tools, but they’re more into fact-checking tools and resources that help them get their stories straight.
They don’t use free blogging sites; instead, their work is published on official news platforms that have editors to check everything over.
Blogger vs Journalist: Education
As a blogger, you don’t have to go to a special school or get a specific degree to start sharing your content online. Anyone can start a blog.
Most bloggers, like me, are self-taught. We learn by doing, experimenting, and maybe taking some blogging courses online.
Plus, there are tons of great resources out there, including free courses on YouTube or Udemy, where you can learn everything from how to create perfect blog posts to how to grow your audience.
It’s all about being curious, learning a bit every day.
On the other hand, journalists often go through a lot more formal education and training. Many have degrees in journalism or communications from universities. They learn about ethics, how to research, interview skills, and all the nitty-gritty stuff that goes into making accurate and trustworthy news stories.
While there are some bloggers out there that also have journalism degrees, it is not as common as you would find for a journalist.
Having a degree in journalism would be unnecessary for bloggers since most blogs represent the views of the author.
However, there are some bloggers out there that take training on how to use certain platforms and how to market themselves better. But, that’s a completely personal choice and it is not compulsory to create a blog.
Blogger vs Journalist: Career
As a blogger, my career is pretty much in my own hands. I started my blog as a hobby, and it’s up to me to grow it into something more. Some bloggers turn their blogs into full-time jobs, earning money through ads, sponsorships, or selling their own products. But here’s the thing, there’s no set path.
I’ve seen some bloggers gain huge followings pretty quickly while others take a bit longer. A lot of it is about being consistent and creative.
Plus, it’s also flexible. I can blog from anywhere and choose topics that I’m passionate about. I can even become a digital nomad.
Now, let’s talk about journalists.
Their career progression is usually more structured. Many start with a degree in journalism and then land entry-level jobs at newspapers, magazines, or TV stations. Over time, they might become editors, lead reporters, or even correspondents covering big events from around the world. There are clear steps and titles that mark their progress. But it’s not all smooth sailing.
But, for a blogger, you would typically start out by working at your own blog. And, it’s not necessary to go to school full-time for a degree in journalism.
You can create your blog whenever you want.
All you need is a domain name and a web hosting account to host your website files and database. And, you’ll be good to go.
Read ➔ How to Start a Blog & Make Money Online?
Blogger vs Journalist: Publication
For a journalist, you have to apply for a press pass in order to distribute your articles through the print media channel. Once you have done this work, it often takes a few days before your articles actually get published online.
For a blogger, you get to publish your articles whenever you want.
You get to control the publishing time of your article making it easier to have a blog that releases content on a specific schedule.
It makes it more efficient than having someone go through an editorial process before they put your article up on the media.
Blogger vs Journalist: Anonymity
Journalists must protect their sources, which means the journalist cannot always reveal who they are or where they come from unless they want to risk losing their job as well as being sued for libel by the people they wrote about.
Bloggers may or may not write under their real names.
They are not required to protect the identity of their sources, which means that bloggers have more freedom in what they can write about without worrying about being sued for libel because they’re not representing themselves as a professional journalist.
Blogger vs Journalist: Compensation
For a journalist, you will get paid per article or based on your performance. You may also be commissioned with certain tasks by your editors in return for money – it’s possible to be paid this way if you are not already with an established company.
For a blogger, you have the ability to monetize your blog through ads or affiliate marketing programs. You can also sell products that you have created through your website. Making money from your blog is in your control.
Blogger vs Journalist: Ethics
Journalists are expected to follow certain ethical guidelines that are specific to the platform they are currently using.
For example, journalists who blog on a popular media website may have different rules from those of bloggers who use their own websites for publishing articles since there’s no clear editor or company owner involved.
You can decide what kind of blog posts you want to write and put them up on your website without having to worry about editorial standards.
Blogger vs Journalist: Covering Events
Journalists who work for a newspaper or magazine are often obligated to be present for events and crises because it’s their job.
Bloggers are not forced to be there but they can usually cover local news as a way to provide useful information that readers can use in order to stay safe during a crisis or know what’s going on out there.
It makes blogging more of an option than an obligation.
Blogger vs Journalist: Credibility
The industry of journalism has standards that journalists are typically measured by.
There is nothing like this for bloggers since you get to decide what kinds of blog posts you want to publish on your website.
It’s completely the blogger’s decision.
You can decide whether or not you want to be credible and accountable for your blog posts. It means that others do not hold you accountable for any misinformation you publish online. You are in complete control.
Blogger vs Journalist: Job Prospects
As a blogger, you get to make your own decisions about where you want to go with your blog or if you want to change the direction it’s going in.
You can also decide who you want to hire for your blog if you wish.
A career in blogging is self-driven.
You can decide who you want to hire and train them so they continue producing high-quality content for your website that keeps readers coming back.
As a journalist, your career prospects and job development are entirely up to the editors you work for. If you don’t like the way things are going, there is nothing much you can do since it’s not entirely in your control.
Blogger vs Journalist: Conclusion
So, finally, I believe you have found your answer.
Here are the two key differences between blogging and journalism:
The first thing is about education. Journalists typically go to school full-time and major in journalism or communications. Bloggers can get started without any education and usually go through a learning curve that involves the reading of blog posts and other related material, as well as trial and error.
The second thing is about the source of information. Journalists get their news from reputable sources such as newspapers and magazine agencies.
Bloggers can get their information from these resources or they can also conduct their own interviews and investigations with the use of social media.
Now, I should mention that there are different kinds of journalists.
For example, an investigative journalist is required to go through a lot of training and is required to hold a degree in journalism. But, in blogging, anyone can be an investigative blogger without any special degree.
So, there you go!
Now that you know the main differences between blogging and journalism, why not get started on your own blog today?
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