Req 3c — Profile a Journalist
This option lets you learn journalism by studying someone who practiced it at a high level. An autobiography can show not only what a journalist accomplished, but also how they made decisions, handled pressure, and thought about truth, fairness, and risk.
What to Look for While You Read
Do not only collect dates and achievements. Pay attention to turning points.
- What drew this person into journalism?
- What obstacles did they face?
- How did they build trust with sources or audiences?
- What kind of stories became their specialty?
- How did they influence journalism itself?
A journalist’s contribution might come from investigative work, war reporting, sports writing, photojournalism, broadcast innovation, magazine writing, or ethical leadership.
Build More Than a Summary
Your article should answer two big questions:
- What did this person’s life teach you about journalism?
- Why does this person’s work matter to the field?
That means your article should not read like a book report. It should connect the person’s experiences to the larger craft of journalism.
What to Include in Your Article
Turn your reading into a strong profile
- A clear introduction: Who is the journalist and why did you choose them?
- Important life events: The moments that shaped their career
- Key contributions: Investigations, books, reporting style, or public impact
- What you learned: One or two lessons about journalism from their story
- A conclusion: Why this journalist still matters
This option connects nicely to Req 1. As you read, notice where ethical decisions, fairness, privacy, or courage shaped the journalist’s work.
Next, the final option in this group asks you to cover a real Scouting event and submit your work for consideration.