What command would you use to view system logs stored in the journal?

The command used to view system logs stored in the journal is journalctl. This command is specifically designed for querying and displaying messages from the journal, which is the systemd logging framework. It allows users to access logs from the current boot, previous boot sessions, and filter logs based on various criteria, such as time, service, and priority.

The journal provides a unified way to access logs unlike traditional methods that might involve sifting through various files in the /var/log directory. By using journalctl, users can take advantage of features like structured logging, which organizes log data to be more easily parsed and queried.

Other options do not serve the same purpose. For instance, syslog refers to a logging framework but is not a command used to view the systemd journal. Logwatch is more of a summary reporting tool rather than a direct viewer for logs. Dmesg, while it shows kernel-related messages and boot logs, does not provide access to the broader range of logs managed by the journal. Therefore, journalctl is the appropriate and specifically tailored command for working with system logs stored in the journal.