--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The hired journalist, I thought, ought to…" description: "\"The hired journalist, I thought, ought to realize that he is partly in the entertainment business and partly in the advertising business - advertising ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d50/claud-cockburn-32837_advertising_the-hired-journalist-i-thought-ought-to_2297194.png" --- # The hired journalist, I thought, ought to realize that he… ![“The hired journalist, I thought, ought to realize that he is partly in the entertainment business and partly in the advertising business - advertising either goods, or a cause, or a government. He just has to make up his mind whom he wants to entertain, and what he wants to advertise.” quote by Claud Cockburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d50/claud-cockburn-32837_advertising_the-hired-journalist-i-thought-ought-to_2297194.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d50/claud-cockburn-32837_advertising_the-hired-journalist-i-thought-ought-to_2297194.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d50/claud-cockburn-32837_advertising_the-hired-journalist-i-thought-ought-to_2297194.png) > “The hired journalist, I thought, ought to realize that he is partly in the entertainment business and partly in the advertising business - advertising either goods, or a cause, or a government. He just has to make up his mind whom he wants to entertain, and what he wants to advertise.” [Claud Cockburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claud-cockburn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Journalists must recognize their dual role as entertainers and advertisers, choosing whether to inform or persuade. **In simple terms:** Reporters are both entertainers and advertisers, deciding their purpose. Key Takeaway Clarify your intent before shaping a story. Themes media ethics advertising entertainment responsibility Mood critical thoughtful concerned Type analytical ethical When to use this quote - news reporting - political campaigns - corporate messaging Key Concepts propaganda public influence journalistic integrity Questions to Reflect On - Do you prioritize truth or profit in communication? - How can you maintain integrity while engaging audiences? A Different Perspective Balancing truth with commercial interests can compromise credibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advertising](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advertising/) [Advertising business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advertising-business/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Entertainment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entertainment/) [Entertainment business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entertainment-business/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Journalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journalism/) [Journalist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journalist/) [Marketing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marketing/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) ## Related quotes > [I wanted to be a journalist, I thought it was glamorous and that I'd meet beautiful women in the rain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-nighy/i-wanted-to-be-a-journalist-i-thought-it-was-glamorous-and-that-i-d/) [Bill Nighy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-nighy/) > [When I was a kid growing up, I always thought I would be a journalist, and I thought, you know, I'd cover stories about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamron-hall/when-i-was-a-kid-growing-up-i-always-thought-i-would-be-a-journalist/) [Tamron Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamron-hall/) > [...I gave up on being a journalist - I thought having a point of view was more important than being objective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leibovitz/i-gave-up-on-being-a-journalist-i-thought-having-a-point-of-view-was/) [Annie Leibovitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leibovitz/) > [It's very possible that advertising business models will simply never do as well on mobile devices as those oriented around transactions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-collison/it-s-very-possible-that-advertising-business-models-will-simply-never/) [Patrick Collison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-collison/) > [In the advertising business, a good idea can inspire a great commercial. 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