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Two Types Of Journalism (Or Journalism And Its Dominant Impostor)
A profession that crushed my childhood dreams
Childhood Dream
For a significant part of my childhood, I wanted to be a journalist. I remember my grandad wasn’t too impressed. For a man who bought the newspaper religiously every morning, his opinion of journalists wasn’t at an all-time high. However, for me, journalism was about investigation and adventure, about seeking the truth despite the attempts of so many — well-intentioned or not — to hide it. While other kids wanted to be police officers or firefighters, I was determined to become an investigative journalist.
Eroded Allure
Progressively, reality eroded the allure of my vocation. At some indeterminate point, I switched my attention to history. Disillusioned by the lack of integrity in the media, I wanted to believe it would be more plausible to fight for the truth in the safety of the past. I do not remember a specific moment or occurrence that tainted my passion for journalism. I do vividly recall how disappointed I felt when I started reading the same news in different newspapers. At first, it became a source of hilarity. Eventually, I didn’t find it funny but disheartening, sometimes even depressing. I understand we all perceive reality in unique ways, but that is…