The term 'professionalization' arouses controversies in academic discussion, let alone the issue of professionalization of journalism. Journalism considerably departs from the ideal model of professionalization. There is no structured knowledge that directly applies to journalists, although we can talk about defined skills and the practical principles of the journalist's profession. Considering the process of the professionalization of journalism, we can indicate three significant determinants, namely professional autonomy, separate professional standards (self-regulation principles) and serving the public interest. However, it is particularly important to ask about the condition of the journalist's profession nowadays. The ongoing technological revolution on the one hand, and the political and legal transformations accompanied by market trends, such as the tabloidization of the media (so-called infotainment) first and foremost, and citizen journalism on the other, have all generated great doubts about the status of journalists. This calls for a redefinition of the professional position and role of journalists in modern societies. All these transformations may pose a serious threat to the model of traditional journalism and the social and professional position of journalists. The book introduced here consists of four parts, presenting various aspects of professionalization of journalism. The first part treats of diverse topics concerning the essence of this issue, as well as the legal status of journalist's profession. The second part, features texts devoted to the issues of digital media. Part three deals with the disturbing phenomenon of hate speech. The main theme of the last part of the book concerns the issue of lobbying in the process of establishing intellectual property rights. The texts presented here have been written by scholars in the fields of law, media studies and political science on the one hand and practitioners (journalists) fromseveral countries of Europe on the other. The editors hope that the publication will contribute to the ongoing discussion concerning both the journalists' and journalism status, in the era of dynamic technological transformation.
