A Journalist's ever evolving roles

Howard Owens certainly enjoys making lists and over the weekend his excellent blog gives the six roles of the modern journalist.


He says that

As “audience” transmutes to “community,” and the level of communication and information increases exponentially, as news becomes less ecclesiastical and more egalitarian, the role of the professional journalist is changing

These according to Howard are:

1.The ethical role
2.The filter role
3.The understanding and context role
4.The conversation leader role
5.The aggregator role
6.The straight news role.

I believe that he has hit the nail on the head there.To be a journalist in this ever changing media is a continously evolving job.Lets not though lose sight of the sixth point,the importance of actually reporting news