What are the 7 types of journalism?

There are many types of journalism, but seven common types of journalism are the following: 1. News Journalism – Reports current events and important information in a clear, factual, and timely manner. Example: Reporting on elections, accidents, or government announcements. 2. Investigative Journalism – Involves in-depth research to uncover hidden information, corruption, fraud, or wrongdoing. Example: Investigating misuse of public funds. 3. Feature Journalism – Focuses on detailed, engaging stories about people, places, events, and social issues. Example: Writing a story about a community that helps homeless families. 4. Opinion Journalism – Presents a writer’s views, arguments, or analysis about an issue. Example: An opinion article discussing whether social media benefits students. 5. Broadcast Journalism – Delivers news through television, radio, and other audio or video platforms. Example: A television news report about a major political event. 6. Photojournalism – Uses photographs to tell news stories and document real-life events. Example: Photographing the effects of a flood on a community. 7. Online or Digital Journalism – Publishes news and stories through websites, digital newspapers, social media, and other online platforms. Example: Publishing a breaking-news article on a news website. These categories are widely used, although journalism has no single universally accepted list of exactly seven types. Other common forms include sports, political, business, and data journalism. [What are the Different Types of Journalism?](https://learn.org/articles/what-are-the-different-types-of-journalism)[7.1: Types of Journalism](https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Courses/HACC_Central_Pennsylvania%27s_Community_College/COMM_130_Journalism_OER_Textbook_for_HACC/07%3A_The_News_Process/7.01%3A_Types_of_Journalism)[What types of journalism are there? | School of Journalism and Mass Communication - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences](https://journalism.uiowa.edu/explore/what-types-of-journalism-are-there)

**The seven commonly recognized types of journalism are: investigative, watchdog, online/digital, opinion, feature, sports, and business journalism.** These categories represent different approaches and purposes within the profession, ranging from uncovering hidden truths to providing analysis or entertainment.[The 9 Types of Journalism Explained](https://journalismonline.com/9-types-of-journalism-explained/)[Types of Journalism (With Tips) | Indeed.com Canada](https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/types-of-journalism) ## 📰 The 7 Types of Journalism Type| Focus| Example ---|---|--- **Investigative Journalism**| Deep research to uncover hidden truths, corruption, or wrongdoing.| Watergate scandal reporting.[The 9 Types of Journalism Explained](https://journalismonline.com/9-types-of-journalism-explained/) **Watchdog Journalism**| Holding those in power accountable by exposing misconduct.| Coverage of political scandals or corporate fraud.[The 9 Types of Journalism Explained](https://journalismonline.com/9-types-of-journalism-explained/) **Online/Digital Journalism**| Fast, web-based reporting via blogs, social media, and digital outlets.| Live updates on Twitter or news websites.[The 9 Types of Journalism Explained](https://journalismonline.com/9-types-of-journalism-explained/) **Opinion Journalism**| Subjective commentary, editorials, or columns reflecting personal or organizational views.| Op-eds in newspapers.[The 9 Types of Journalism Explained](https://journalismonline.com/9-types-of-journalism-explained/) **Feature Journalism**| Human-interest stories, lifestyle, culture, or in-depth profiles.| Magazine features on community issues.[9 Types of Journalism to Explore - The Edvocate](https://www.theedadvocate.org/9-types-of-journalism-to-explore/) **Sports Journalism**| Coverage of sporting events, athletes, and analysis.| ESPN reporting on the Olympics.[Types of Journalism (With Tips) | Indeed.com Canada](https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/types-of-journalism) **Business Journalism**| Reporting on economics, finance, and corporate affairs.| Wall Street Journal coverage of stock markets.[Types of Journalism (With Tips) | Indeed.com Canada](https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/types-of-journalism) ## 🔎 Key Considerations * **Overlap exists**: For example, investigative journalism can be applied to sports or business reporting. * **Medium matters**: Journalism can be delivered via print, broadcast, or digital platforms, shaping its style and reach.[Types of Journalism – Introduction to Media and Society](https://unr.pressbooks.pub/intromediasociety/chapter/types-of-journalism/) * **Purpose differs**: Some types aim to inform objectively (hard news), while others aim to persuade or entertain (opinion, features).[Top 10 Types of News in Journalism Every Reader Should Know](https://www.apeejay.edu/aimc/blogs/types-of-news-in-journalism/) ## ⚠️ Risks & Challenges * **Credibility** : Online journalism spreads quickly but can suffer from misinformation. * **Bias** : Opinion journalism must be clearly distinguished from factual reporting to avoid misleading audiences. * **Resource intensity**: Investigative journalism requires time, funding, and legal safeguards, making it harder to sustain. Would you like me to also explain **hard news vs. soft news**, since those are often considered foundational categories alongside these seven types? That would give you a fuller picture of how journalism is structured.

While different media organizations and textbooks categorize journalism in various ways, the field is most commonly broken down into **7 primary types** based on format, purpose, and subject matter: [What types of journalism are there?](https://journalism.uiowa.edu/explore/what-types-of-journalism-are-there) ### 1\. Investigative Journalism * **What it is:** In-depth, exhaustive reporting that often takes months or even years to uncover hidden truths. Investigative journalists dig deep into corruption, legal violations, corporate malfeasance, or systemic societal failures. [Types of Journalism | Study.com](https://study.com/academy/lesson/introduction-to-journalism-types-history.html#:~:text='Most%20of%20the%20clubs%20are%20started%2C%20run%2C,different%20points%20of%20view%20and%20different%20opinions.)[The 10 Types of Journalism: How to Choose the Best Fit for Your](https://thewordling.com/types-of-journalism/#:~:text=What%20it%20is%3A%20Investigative%20journalism%20focuses%20on,of%20hard%20news%20that%20makes%20waves%E2%80%94and%20change.) * **Goal:** To hold powerful people, organizations, and governments accountable (often referred to as **watchdog journalism**). ### 2\. Broadcast Journalism * **What it is:** News reporting delivered via television, radio, or digital podcasts rather than through the printed word. [What types of journalism are there?](https://journalism.uiowa.edu/explore/what-types-of-journalism-are-there#:~:text=If%20you%20enjoy%20storytelling%20but%20prefer%20to,creativity%20and%20delving%20deeper%20into%20a%20topic.) * **Goal:** To deliver news dynamically and in real time using audio, video, interviews, and live on-the-scene reporting to engage audiences directly. ### 3\. Feature Journalism * **What it is:** Narrative-driven, human-interest storytelling that goes beyond standard, fast-turnaround breaking news. Instead of just answering the basic _who, what, when,_ and _where_ , features explore the _why_ and _how_. [The 10 Types of Journalism: How to Choose the Best Fit for Your](https://thewordling.com/types-of-journalism/#:~:text=6.%20Entertainment%20and%20arts%20journalism%3A%20Reporting%20on,and%20watchdog%20journalism%3A%20Journalism%20with%20a%20mission.) * **Goal:** To offer a deeper, more creative, and often emotional look at trends, unique individuals, cultural shifts, or historical events. [What types of journalism are there?](https://journalism.uiowa.edu/explore/what-types-of-journalism-are-there#:~:text=If%20you%20enjoy%20storytelling%20but%20prefer%20to,creativity%20and%20delving%20deeper%20into%20a%20topic.) ### 4\. Opinion Journalism (Editorials and Columns) * **What it is:** Content that explicitly offers a personal perspective, commentary, or critique rather than just objective reporting. This includes op-eds, signed columns, reviews (of film, food, or art), and editorial board stances. [Types of Journalism | Study.com](https://study.com/academy/lesson/introduction-to-journalism-types-history.html#:~:text=Reviews%20contain%20information%20and%20a%20certain%20amount,to%20the%20parent%20of%20the%20opposite%20sex.)[Types of Journalism | Study.com](https://study.com/academy/lesson/introduction-to-journalism-types-history.html#:~:text=If%20you%20were%20writing%20an%20editorial%2C%20you,a%20product%2C%20book%2C%20movie%2C%20or%20current%20event.) * **Goal:** To interpret current events, spark public debate, and persuade audiences to consider specific viewpoints. [The 10 Types of Journalism: How to Choose the Best Fit for Your](https://thewordling.com/types-of-journalism/#:~:text=6.%20Entertainment%20and%20arts%20journalism%3A%20Reporting%20on,and%20watchdog%20journalism%3A%20Journalism%20with%20a%20mission.) ### 5\. Sports Journalism * **What it is:** Reporting on athletic events, team updates, athlete profiles, and the broader business and cultural impact of the sports industry. * **Goal:** To inform fans, analyze game strategies, and uncover the human stories behind athletes and organizations. ### 6\. Business and Financial Journalism * **What it is:** Specialized reporting that tracks the economy, stock markets, corporate mergers, personal finance, startups, and global trade. [The 10 Types of Journalism: How to Choose the Best Fit for Your](https://thewordling.com/types-of-journalism/#:~:text=*%20Investigative%20journalism%3A%20Digging%20deeper%20into%20the,Sports%20journalism%3A%20Covering%20the%20games%20that%20matter.) * **Goal:** To break down complex economic data and market trends so that everyday consumers, investors, and business leaders can make informed financial decisions. [Types of Journalism: What Is the Right Specialty for You?](https://www.wgu.edu/blog/types-journalism-what-Is-the-right-specialty-for-you2407.html#:~:text=Whatever%20the%20format%2C%20most%20business%20journalists%20dissect,like%20startups%2C%20industry%20innovations%2C%20and%20consumer%20behavior.) ### 7\. Photojournalism * **What it is:** Telling news and human stories primarily through photographs (and video), accompanied by minimal text or captions. [What types of journalism are there?](https://journalism.uiowa.edu/explore/what-types-of-journalism-are-there#:~:text=*%20Political%20media.%20The%20free%20flow%20of,written%20component%20or%20stand%20on%20their%20own.) * **Goal:** To capture raw, unedited visual evidence of historical events, conflicts, humanitarian crises, and cultural moments with the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words."

The most widely recognized core types or specialties of journalism encompass a diverse range of reporting focuses and distribution methods: [What types of journalism are there?](https://journalism.uiowa.edu/explore/what-types-of-journalism-are-there)[10 Most Popular Types of Journalism Careers To Explore | Indeed.com](https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/types-of-journalism) * * **Investigative Journalism** : Focuses on in-depth, prolonged research to expose corruption, criminal behavior, or corporate and political wrongdoing. [Types of Journalism: What Is the Right Specialty for You?](https://www.wgu.edu/blog/types-journalism-what-Is-the-right-specialty-for-you2407.html) * **Watchdog Journalism** : Acts as a supervisor of government, institutions, and powerful entities to hold them accountable to the public. [Indeed] * **Broadcast Journalism** : Delivers news electronically via television, radio, or digital video/audio streams rather than through traditional print. [Indeed] * **Online/Digital Journalism** : Publishes and distributes editorial content via internet-based technologies, websites, and social media platforms using multimedia and interactive formats. [Indeed] * **Opinion Journalism** : Features columns, editorials, and commentaries that express subjective viewpoints and personal perspectives on current events. [Indeed] * **Sports Journalism** : Reports on athletic events, player profiles, team stats, and the broader culture of sports. [The University of Iowa +1] * **Photojournalism** : Tells stories and documents news events primarily through powerful still photographs or video imagery rather than heavy text. [Western Governors University] * If you'd like, I can dive deeper into **the skills required** for one of these specific fields or explore **how digital trends are changing** modern newsrooms.

There isn’t one universally accepted list of exactly seven; common types include news, feature, investigative, opinion/editorial, broadcast, photojournalism, and data journalism.([journalism.uiowa.edu][1]) [1]: https://journalism.uiowa.edu/explore/what-types-of-journalism-are-there "What types of journalism are there?"