Journalists and… reporters

June 20, 2023, 1:30 PM

Recently, two friends of mine debated the difference between the terms "journalist" and "reporter." Friend A insisted that a journalist is a reporter, while Friend B argued that a reporter isn't necessarily a journalist. Actually, I've heard this debate many times before. On the occasion of the anniversary of Vietnam's Revolutionary Press Day, I'd like to share a little about this terminology.

According to Mr. A's explanation, the reason he insists that journalists are reporters is because journalists are people who write news articles. And if they write news articles, then they are clearly reporters, aren't they?

Mr. B, on the other hand, argues that a reporter is not necessarily a journalist. Theoretically, according to him, the 2016 Press Law stipulates that "a journalist is a person engaged in journalistic activities who has been issued a journalist's card." However, in reality, media organizations recruit reporters; they clearly engage in journalistic activities, and no one denies that they are reporters, but they cannot yet be called journalists because they have not been issued a journalist's card.

The debate was endless, as everyone had arguments to defend their point of view. However, considering that Mr. B cited legal regulations, anyone listening would find his argument more reasonable.

According to Article 25 of the 2016 Press Law, a journalist is defined as a person engaged in journalistic activities who has been issued a journalist's card.

According to Articles 26 and 27 of the 2016 Press Law, to be considered for a journalist's card, reporters must meet the following conditions and standards: They must work for a press or news agency; be a Vietnamese citizen with a permanent residence in Vietnam; hold a university degree or higher; and in the case of ethnic minority individuals producing print publications, radio or television programs, or online news sections in ethnic minority languages, they must hold a college degree or higher.

Reporters at work . Photo: SC

For first-time press card applications, reporters must have worked continuously at the requesting media agency for at least two years up to the time of application (excluding editors-in-chief of scientific journals and other cases as stipulated by law); and must be recommended for a press card by their media agency or employing organization.

Therefore, according to the law, what Mr. B said: "A reporter is not necessarily a journalist" is completely correct. Because if a reporter is hired to work at a press or news agency but does not meet the conditions and standards for being granted a journalist's card as stipulated by law, then they clearly cannot be called a journalist.

Regarding Mr. A's statement that "a journalist is a reporter" because "a journalist is someone who writes news," how should this be interpreted?

In fact, quite a few people have the same understanding of "journalist" as Mr. A. And clearly, this is a misunderstanding.

Actually, in the past, the definition of a journalist was simply understood as: a person who writes for newspapers (Thanh Nghi's Vietnamese Dictionary (Thoi The Publishing House, 1958)) or "a person who specializes in writing for newspapers" (Vietnamese Dictionary edited by Hoang Phe, Da Nang Publishing House, 2003). However, with the 2016 Press Law now in effect, to have an accurate definition of a journalist, we should refer to the Law, as Mr. B has stated.

Therefore, being called a journalist naturally means that person must be issued a press card. As for who is eligible to be issued a press card, Article 26 of the 2016 Press Law clearly stipulates this. Those eligible for a press card include: General Director, Deputy General Director, Director, Deputy Director, Editor-in-Chief, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of press and news agencies; Heads (or Deputy Heads) of press and news agency departments; Reporters and editors of press and news agencies; Cameramen and directors of radio and television programs (excluding feature films) of units licensed to operate in the fields of radio, television, and documentary film production by the State; Reporters, editors, and those in charge of reporter and editor work at district-level and equivalent radio and television stations.

Individuals who have been issued a journalist's card but are transferred to other work may continue to have their journalistic works used and confirmed by the media agency. They may be considered for a new journalist's card in specific cases such as: being transferred to units not directly involved in journalistic work within the media agency; being transferred to teach journalism at higher education institutions as stipulated by the Law on Higher Education; or being transferred to work as a full-time officer at journalists' associations at all levels, directly involved in state management of journalism.

That being said, "journalist" is a general term for all those working in the field of journalism; while "reporter" is a job title, referring to someone who directly writes news articles. And of course, if someone is called a journalist, they must obviously have a press card, and they may not be a reporter, but could hold another position, such as editor.

As for the reporter, that person may not yet be a journalist because they haven't been issued a press card (due to not meeting the requirements for a press card as stipulated in the 2016 Press Law); or they may be a journalist (if they meet the requirements for a press card as stipulated in the 2016 Press Law).

On Vietnamese Journalists' Day, I'd like to share some information about how to refer to this profession. Hopefully, this article will help reduce confusion in the terminology and understanding of journalists and reporters.

Con River

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