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Manichaean journalism

Sad but true: Practice doesn’t make perfect in journalism

Journalism in Hong Kong, as in the rest of the world, has taken on a Manichaean character. The good coexists with the evil. In Hong Kong, the evil is excessive sensational news.

Some of our less than happy experience tells us that journalism is a profession that is always misunderstood, and journalists receive very little respect. We often are the cause of raised eyebrows. We often are scolded simply for trying to take photos in public areas.

We believe that this is a result of some Hong Kong journalists’ tenacity — some are too keen to search for dirt, and they sometimes find it where it does not exist. In many eyes, reporting means making too much fuss about nothing — or everything.

As budding journalists, we are saddened by the poor practices of some media practitioners.

Given the time constraints and the nature of journalism, it is sad but true in this industry that practice does not make perfect. In a society where the end counts more than the means, there is little wonder why the work of journalists is much overlooked. Generally underpaid, having low status, under too much work and pressure, we are sometimes scared off by the poor working conditions of journalists. We cannot help but ask, Why carry on? Why not opt for better jobs?

We believe the very reason for their staying put in this industry is a sense of mission. Without the journalist’s dedication and tenacity, much of society’s unfairness would be kept in the dark. Journalists deserve the public’s respect not only because they respect their own profession, but also their professionalism.

Although perfection almost does not exist in this industry, it is through constant practice that lessons are learned and sophistication is achieved. And this is what this practicum magazine is for — to allow us to have some experience of what reporting and editing are about. In the process, we understand how easy it is for the evil side to override the dignified side in journalism. Having said that, however, our being a practicum magazine is not a prerogative for us to be careless or unethical in our reporting and editing. If for whatever reasons our staffers are under par, we cannot and will not absolve ourselves by saying that we are merely journalism students.

We have put eight issues to bed this academic year. Having a tight schedule and other classes, it is common for our staffers to stay up until wee hours at night. Although the magazine is not without flaws, we forget our tears and sweat when we hear little compliments from our readers at the end of the day. May I take this opportunity to thank all our readers and also our publisher, Bryce McIntyre, for his support of Varsity and the reporting and editing classes. But for his advice, Varsity would not have run so smoothly. As this academic year ends, the editors will leave Varsity and the reporters will take over their tasks. I wish them a great success and hope that they adhere to what they believe is right.

Varsity will see you again in October.

Louisa Yan
Editor-in-Chief

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