journalistikk

Journalistikk is the practice and study of gathering, assessing, and presenting news and information to the public. It encompasses reporting, editing, and production across print, broadcast, and online media, and includes investigative and data journalism.

The term is Norwegian and derives from journalist and journal, indicating the organized production and dissemination of news. It intersects with media law, ethics, and the evolving technologies that shape how information is collected and shared.

Historically, journalism emerged with the rise of periodicals in the early modern era and expanded through radio, television, and digital media. Its watchdog role and commitment to public information have been central to liberal democracies. The line between journalism and public relations or entertainment has at times been debated.

Core principles include accuracy, verification, independence, fairness, and accountability. In Norway and many other countries, professional ethics are guided by codes such as the Vær varsom-plakaten, which addresses sources, privacy, conflicts of interest, and harm minimization.

Practices vary by platform but share common methods: reporting, interviewing, document analysis, and fact-checking; editorial review; and increasingly, data journalism, multimedia storytelling, and audience engagement.

Today journalistikk faces challenges from misinformation, platform algorithms, and economic pressures on newsrooms, even as digital tools expand access to information. The field remains central to informed citizenship and public accountability, with ongoing education and professional associations supporting standards and development.