If you do what a journalist does, you might be a journalist

Best Lois Lane, hands down

The Alberta NDP proved this week that they’re sloppy-drunk with power to think they can dictate who is and isn’t a journalist. I’m guessing they reserve the title for any left-leaning person who nods and claps approvingly whenever they speak.

To review, Rebel journalists were banned from three events. 

When they asked why, they received a letter from the Alberta Ministry of Justice saying, “Our client’s position remains that your client (The Rebel) and those who identify as being connected to your client (The Rebel) are not journalists and are not entitled to access media lock-ups or other such events.”

Sneering that they're not journalists makes me wonder if they’ve been sheltered too long from criticism or if they have a warped and romantic view of the job.  

First let’s dispel the romanticism. Journalists report on fender-benders and give you tips on how to avoid the intersection. When a journalist writes persuasive, intelligent commentary, someone will read only the headline and call him a jackass. Also, real-life journalists report on heavy stuff like the merits of gluten-free diets, Kanye West’s Twitter feed, and with surprising regularity, they cover adorable puppy-befriends-pig stories.  

Don’t get me wrong, we need to know everything Kanye says, and in all seriousness, I respect many journalists and I’m grateful for their reporting. I’m a freelancer myself, so of course I find writing worthwhile.

But while there’s prestige in the position, for the government to imply that there’s a purity and exclusivity in the role is silly.

Being a journalist isn't the highest calling. You don’t need to go to J-school, and given the job market, it shouldn’t be your major. It’s great to have a post secondary education, but again, it’s not necessary.

Journalism is a craft—and I mean this in a practical way, not affectedly. If you write well, you’ll do well. Just as a painter can be magnificent without four years of life drawing or art history.

The government doesn’t get to decide who will report on them. But here’s a good test of journalism credentials:  If you work for a news source, report on news, and get turned away from an event because they’re intimidated by your political persuasion and critical eye then - Baam! - you’re a journalist!