The Accidental Journalist

I’m Sarah Rainey - a 22-year-old, Belfast-born postgraduate journalism student at City University, London. Having graduated with a triple First in Law at Cambridge, a year interning at a magazine in Madrid made me realize that journalism was what I wanted to do in life. Writing is my passion. Along with reading about, questioning, commenting on, and generally taking in everything I can about the world around me. I’ve spent lots of time reporting, editing, researching, interviewing and writing during the past few years – and while Law was a one-time temptation, I always knew that journalism would win in the end. For me, this is only the beginning; of being a real-life-grown-up person, with a digital presence, and hopefully some insightful things to say about the profession I’m entering into.

I hope this blog reveals a little bit more about who I am and what journalism, particularly as it pushes new digital boundaries, means to me. The aim is to focus particularly on citizen journalism – participative, interactive, and often accidental – a totally new genre which is increasingly crucial in the journalistic world. There is an interesting area to explore in relation to the overlap between this ‘accidental’ journalism and the more traditional, ‘professional’ journalism, which is increasingly complex and symbiotic. I also want to link this citizen journalism theme to what should be its logical consequence: an increased democratisation of the press through new media, online formats, and the role of ordinary people in reporting and finding news. I will question, debate and comment on this premise; analysing it through the lens of relevant developments in democracy and media matters. It’s an exciting topic, and there’s lots to say. And it affects us all, whether we interact with it or not. Accidental journalism is the future. It’s a phenomenon that will rock traditionalists’ socks off. And I hope to be at the forefront when it does.

I am the accidental journalist.