What is news? Introduction to unit ATS1328 – Lecture 1 What is news? Introduction to unit Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Today What is news Course structure Unit requirements Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

What is news? London G-20 protests 2009 …and the Ian Tomlinson affair http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYM3KOByTDw News is, firstly, THE TRUTH. You can’t make it up. We don’t want your opinion. Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

News vs opinion Journalists write for their readership and audiences – never themselves Comment and opinion are NOT news Journalists must distinguish between news, comment and opinion Mixing them has legal implications People do not like being told what to think! Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

What is news? London G-20 protests 2009 …and the Ian Tomlinson affair News is, firstly, THE TRUTH. You can’t make it up. We don’t want your opinion. You must get the facts right. Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

What is news? Masterton’s “essential” news values: interest timeliness clarity Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

What is news? Masterton’s “big six” news values (in order): Significance/impact Proximity Conflict Human interest Novelty – rare or unusual Prominence Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Definitions of news Anything that makes a reader say ‘Gee whiz!’ (Arthur MacEwen 1971) News is information about a break from the normal flow of events, an interruption in the expected News is information people need to make sound decisions about their lives (Melvin Mencher 1997) Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Definitions of news The first rough draft of history (Philip Graham, former publisher Washington Post) News is what somebody somewhere wants to suppress; all the rest is advertising. 
(Lord Northcliffe, publisher 1865-1922) Journalism is literature in a hurry. (Matthew Arnold, British poet and critic) Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Definitions of news The real news is bad news. (Marshall Mcluhan, communications theorist) Journalism consists largely in saying Lord Jones died to people who never knew Lord Jones was alive. (G.K. Chesterton, British writer) People may expect too much of journalism. Not only do they expect it to be entertaining, they expect it to be true. (Lewis H.Lapham, American publisher and editor, b. 1935) Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Who decides? News-making decision maker (“gatekeepers”): – Editors – Chiefs-of-staff – News producers: broadcast, online and radio The public: – readers, listeners, viewers The new world of “citizen journalism” Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

How do they decide? Instinct – they understand their audience Big stories are obvious, eg natural disasters, terrorist attacks Response to market research and focus groups An interesting photo, sound grab or video Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Context of news Influenced by: political orientation culture religious orientation climate sex beliefs education level Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

The media’s role The functions of news media are to: Inform Educate Entertain Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

The media’s role “Fourth Estate” role Help keep governments honest Help us view our world in context Warn of dangers and deceptions Help right injustices Expose hypocrisy Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

The media’s role Other roles Promote health and safety Help us make informed choices Allow us to express our opinions and feelings Draw communities together in times of trouble Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Two types of reporting Reactive: comes from a newsworthy event – something happens, a journalist reports the story Proactive: comes from an idea, research, tip or discovery – includes investigative articles, exposes and exclusive interviews Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Unit requirements Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

The course Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Unit guide Read it! Learning objectives(p.1) Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Schedule: “print” Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Schedule: radio Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Attendance Minimum requirements Penalties for non-compliance – possible failure of unit (Unit guide p. 6) Weekly readings – essential Tutor and Unit Coordinator contact details (front page of guide) Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Assessments Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Essential texts Lamble, S., 2011, News As It Happens, OUP, South Melbourne Phillips, G., Lindgren, M., 2006, Australian Broadcast Journalism, 2nd edition, OUP, South Melbourne Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Weekly reading See Unit schedule Weekly readings – essential Tutor and Unit Coordinator contact details (front page of guide) Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Contacts See Unit guide Robert Carey – Phone: 9903 4093 – robert.carey@monash.edu – Room B4.36 Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.