FWIW, I prefer the term "traditional" journalist compared to "real" journalist.
Nothing stays the same. Everything changes, including words.
I can remember the days when sports journalists/reporters/commentators
COULD NOT announce which teams they rooted for. Now,
EVERYBODY is so eager and willing to declare their favorite team (Skip Bayless "My Dallas Cowboys"
), and this is
ENCOURAGED by the higher ups.
I don't like it. But I (as I suspect DallasEast is) am more traditional in my approach to journalism (having been a reporter for more than 25 years). It's one of the reasons I'm no longer in the business (though I've gone back to school to get my masters/doctorate in journalism/mass media to teach young students who to write "objectively"). I don't like giving my opinions while I'm doing my job. I want to write straight news or analysis. I don't like sensational journalism.
Nevertheless, the times are changing, and I can't stop it. So I just roll with the flow and pine for the days of old. Sigh.