The Social-Professional Portrait of Romanian Journalists

This article represents one of the chapters of the qualitative study “The Professional Culture of the Romanian Journalists”. It was implemented on a sample of fifty one Romanian practitioners from forty mass media institutions, from February until April 2009. The research conclusions consist in the fact that journalists from Romania are still in a process of assimilation of the Western professional norms. Although the journalists consider themselves as watchdogs, teachers who educate the public, opinion makers and defenders of the rights and freedoms of the individuals, and appreciate professional values like objectivity, correctness, impartiality, honesty and professionalism, journalists occasionally use dubious work methods and, often break ethical principles. The results of the research prove that the present generation is heterogeneous, mobile, pragmatic, professionally un-associated, represented also by many unqualified individuals, who try to promote Western press values, and detach themselves from any involvement or political affiliation.