Journalists underestimate the knowledge base of the general public.
This argument is often made because news stories are presented in the simplest way possible. This statement is not so much of a misconception but most people do not understand the reasoning behind why it has to be accurate.
Journalism experts are constantly researching the general public and have repeatedly found that, in fact, the vast majority of the general public do have a poor knowledge base. Stories became shorter and simpler in order to maintain an audience. In an ideal world, the public might be willing to sit down and really delve into the news, but that is simply not the case in reality
Journalists are rich and famous.
The idea that journalists are rich and famous is a dream yet to be achieved by many. If the public could follow an average radio or television reporter around for a week they would realize that, while it does have its rewards, journalism is generally a hard, 'thankless job'.
Reporters are intrusive
This may seem like an exaggeration, but these adjectives are truly attributed to journalists. Much of this idea rises out of the fact that reporters are often seen interviewing the relatives of crime victims or doing investigations. Many reporters are hard-headed; it is simply something that happens after years of reporting. However, the stories that are the most painful or uncomfortable to report are often the ones that the public needs to know about most. Journalists covering these stories assume the risk of being labeled as intrusive and hope that the outcome of their actions will redeem.
