Non-journalist

A non-journalist is an individual who does not work professionally in the field of journalism. This encompasses a broad spectrum of professions and vocations, including but not limited to doctors, teachers, engineers, artists, scientists, business professionals, and homemakers. Essentially, anyone who does not gather, write, edit, or disseminate news reports or journalistic content falls under this categorization. This also includes people working in related fields like public relations, if their primary role does not involve independent reporting and news gathering. The role of non-journalist contrasts with those actively engaged in the practice of journalism, where objectivity, fact-checking, and ethical reporting are paramount.

Non-journalist meaning with examples

• As a software engineer, Sarah is a non-journalist. Her daily tasks involve coding and problem-solving, not researching or writing news articles. Her expertise lies in technology, and she has no professional involvement in reporting or news dissemination, differentiating her clearly from the journalistic field. She's focused on coding.
• The local bakery owner, being a non-journalist, has no experience writing news stories; their primary focus is on baking pastries. They would not write about the political changes in the country or the events of the town. They wouldn't even know the ethical and journalistic rules. They were making cakes and cookies
• Dr. Ramirez, the town's physician, is a non-journalist. Her work involves treating patients, not investigating current events or writing articles. While she often provides information to the public during her medical services, she doesn't have a role in delivering objective news coverage. She does the work of a doctor.
• The painter, a renowned artist, can certainly express his views and feelings on the news, but he would never report it as a non-journalist. He's a painter. He is an expert with paint and has no reporting skills; in fact, he has no reporting skills or news gathering skills. He paints on canvas, not for newspapers or the public.
• The accountant helping the town officials is a non-journalist and will never go out and cover the town council's meeting, because this is not what they are required to do; their expertise is in crunching numbers. Journalism's ethical standards, such as objectivity, do not apply to the work he does or is expected to do.