Everyday news, newsworkers, and professional journalism

Journalists have no monopoly on gathering and reporting new information; we all do so every day as we report our latest news to family members, friends, coworkers, and others. Such everyday news probably constitutes an overwhelming majority of the news we receive from day to day, and the everyday newsworkers who supply it play vital roles in society. Comparing them with professional journalists suggests some similarities and even more differences, offers some lessons for professional journalism, and represents a fascinating research site for students of the news media.