Should Certification of Meteorologists Serve as a Model for Broadcast Journalists?

Abstract

This study explores the idea of establishing a certification process for broadcast journalists in order to distinguish themselves from the growing number of internet users posting news online. Certified broadcast meteorologists were surveyed about certification, its effect on First Amendment rights of press freedom, and whether a certification of all broadcast journalists could work to distinguish the profession as credible, competent, and professional. A vast majority of respondents felt they could be credible and professional without certification, but at the same time felt they should be certified. Most respondents said certification helped in both getting a job in the profession and in stations' promotions efforts.

A Healthy Mix

“…But of course, the First Amendment protects against abuses connected only to government's infringement of speech-not to the actions of professional and academic organizations. 42 Thus, mainstream media have long relied on the journalism degree as "a certificate of competence." 43 In a survey of editors and news directors, 85 percent of new hires by newspaper editors and 92 percent of those hired by television news directors held journalism degrees.…”

“…An index of six statements, adapted from Tuggle, 52 was used to assess attitudes toward certification (Table 3). The averaged index revealed an overall positive attitude toward certification, with students scoring slightly higher than faculty (M = 3.16 and M = 2.86, respectively).…”