On the Issue of Finding the Image of the “Ideal Journalist”

The article provides a brief description of the history of the search for the image of the “ideal journalist”. It is noted that researchers record the list of competencies necessary for the successful professionalization and socialization of a university graduate, a novice journalist in different ways. The lack of unity of views on the problem raises the question of which journalist should be trained by modern universities, taking into account the new social demand. The purpose of the article is to determine the basic characteristics of the image of the "ideal journalist", taking into account the latest socio-cultural transformations and changes in journalism. As a rule, scientists start from the imperative of I. Kant about the moral ideal. However, modern socio-cultural changes force us to expand the list of necessary qualities, to reconsider traditional views on the "exemplary", that is, the "ideal" journalist, which, in turn, requires a certain revision of the concept of modern media education. Based on the data obtained within the framework of a moderation seminar held within the walls of SurGPU and a survey of 375 respondents (students, media educators and practicing journalists), the authors identified a number of contradictions in the vision of the ideal image by journalists themselves and social demand (in the context of digitalization of the media field). Journalism students, as well as media professionals, do not attach much importance to the threats posed by digitalization of the media, and often ignore the advantages that it provides (using digital tools when working with Big Data, in the process of preparing media products and their targeted broadcast to recipients). We believe that focusing the attention of media educators on the existing contradictions in the perception of the ideal image of a modern journalist will allow us to adjust the modern media educational model, take into account the latest socio-cultural transformations.