journalistiikan

Journalistiikka refers to the field that studies and practices journalism as a social institution and professional activity. It covers the production of news and information across traditional and digital media, as well as the analysis of journalism’s role in society. The discipline combines practical training in reporting, editing, photo and video production, and multimedia storytelling with scholarly inquiry into journalism ethics, media law, economics, management, and audience research.

Scholars and practitioners examine newsroom routines, professional standards, editorial decision-making, and newsroom management; they study investigative and data journalism, fact-checking, and the use of digital platforms and social media for reporting and distribution. The field also encompasses media psychology, audience research, and the examination of how information is consumed and trusted in different contexts.

In Finland and elsewhere, journalistiikka is taught at universities and universities of applied sciences. Programs typically lead to bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism or related fields, preparing graduates for work in newspapers, broadcasters, online outlets, and public information services. The curriculum often blends practical training with research methods, encouraging students to analyze contemporary media environments and to develop evidence-based reporting skills.

Ethical and legal dimensions are central to the discipline. Codes of professional conduct emphasize accuracy, independence, fairness, transparency, and accountability, while legal topics include freedom of expression, privacy, defamation, and copyright.

Among contemporary concerns are misinformation, algorithmic curation, audience fragmentation, and the sustainability of journalistic business models. Journalistiikka also emphasizes journalism’s role in democratic society as a watchdog function, a source of public accountability, and a means of informing citizens.