ajakirjaniku

Ajakirjanik (Estonian for journalist) is a professional who gathers, verifies, writes, edits, and disseminates information and news to the public across different media. Ajakirjanikud work in newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and online platforms, and their work aims to provide timely, accurate, and balanced reporting that informs citizens and supports public discourse.

Typical duties include researching events, conducting interviews, fact-checking, drafting articles, and editing others' copy. Journalists may specialize by beat such as politics, economics, culture, science, or sports. Some work as reporters, correspondents, editors, producers, or photojournalists, and many now combine text with multimedia storytelling or data journalism.

Ethics: In Estonia as elsewhere, journalists follow professional codes emphasizing accuracy, fairness, independence, and accountability. Key practices include verifying facts, clearly distinguishing between news and opinion, protecting sources, avoiding conflicts of interest, and issuing corrections when errors occur. Safety and privacy considerations also shape reporting, especially in sensitive topics or public institutions.

Education and training: Ajakirjanik careers typically begin with higher education in journalism, communications, or media studies, complemented by internships and practical newsroom experience. Ongoing professional development—workshops, legal updates, digital journalism skills—helps adapt to changing media landscapes and technologies.