ABSTRACT
The idea of sacredness as a key element in the maintenance of social cohesion has been one of the best-established fixtures of sociological thought since its introduction by Emile Durkheim. This chapter argues that the sacredness of occupations derives from a combination of sources, the most important being the mysteriousness of exclusive, but vital knowledge and the nobleness of self-sacrifice. A main objective is to clarify the position of journalism, an occupation with strongly contested claims to professional status. This will be done with reference to two other occupations with long-established professional credentials — the clergy and medicine. The democratic value of professional journalism is perhaps best exemplified under non-democratic conditions. Traditional definitions of professionalism emphasize criteria such as collective control over entry into the profession, an ethical code supported by self-policing, a special set of skills and a definable body of knowledge, as well as client relations with the public.
