What is news? An overview of what journalists do and why they do it

Definitions of news Timeliness

Definitions of news Timeliness Impact

Definitions of news Timeliness Impact Proximity

Definitions of news Timeliness Impact Proximity Controversy

Definitions of news Timeliness Impact Proximity Controversy Prominence

Definitions of news Timeliness Impact Proximity Controversy Prominence Currency

Definitions of news Timeliness Impact Proximity Controversy Prominence Currency Oddity

Two broad types of news Hard news

Two broad types of news Hard news –War

Two broad types of news Hard news –War –Natural disaster

Two broad types of news Hard news –War –Natural disaster –Politics

Two broad types of news Hard news –War –Natural disaster –Politics –Business

Two broad types of news Hard news –War –Natural disaster –Politics –Business –Crime

Two broad types of news Hard news Soft news –Celebrities

Two broad types of news Hard news Soft news –Celebrities –Arts and entertainment

Two broad types of news Hard news Soft news –Celebrities –Arts and entertainment –Human interest

Two broad types of news Hard news Soft news –Celebrities –Arts and entertainment –Human interest –Sports

Two broad types of news Hard news Soft news –Celebrities –Arts and entertainment –Human interest –Sports –Lifestyle

Sources of news External events

Sources of news External events –Disasters

Sources of news External events –Disasters –Accidents

Sources of news External events –Disasters –Accidents –War

Sources of news External events Planned activities

Sources of news External events Planned activities –Meetings

Sources of news External events Planned activities –Meetings –News conferences

Sources of news External events Planned activities –Meetings –News conferences –Demonstrations

Sources of news External events Planned activities Enterprise –Public records

Sources of news External events Planned activities Enterprise –Public records –Tips from sources

Sources of news External events Planned activities Enterprise –Public records –Tips from sources –Connecting the dots

Fairness and neutrality A journalist must strive to be independent

Fairness and neutrality A journalist must strive to be independent The rise of objectivity

Fairness and neutrality A journalist must strive to be independent The rise of objectivity The problem of “balance”

Fairness and neutrality A journalist must strive to be independent The rise of objectivity The problem of “balance” Opinion journalism

Fairness and neutrality A journalist must strive to be independent The rise of objectivity The problem of “balance” Opinion journalism –First obligation is to readers/viewers/listeners

Fairness and neutrality A journalist must strive to be independent The rise of objectivity The problem of “balance” Opinion journalism –First obligation is to readers/viewers/listeners –Opinionated but not partisan

Elements of a news story

Who?

Elements of a news story Who? What?

Elements of a news story Who? What? Where?

Elements of a news story Who? What? Where? When?

Elements of a news story Who? What? Where? When? Why?

Elements of a news story Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?

What is journalism for? “The primary purpose of journalism is to provide citizens with the information they need to be free and self-governing” –Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel

What is journalism for? “The primary purpose of journalism is to provide citizens with the information they need to be free and self-governing” –Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel Why such a high-minded definition?

First Amendment “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.”

First Amendment “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” Does this suggest a social obligation on the part of the press?

First Amendment “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” Does this suggest a social obligation on the part of the press? Can that obligation be enforced by the government?

Journalism as a profession Does the First Amendment allow for journalism to be considered a profession?

Journalism as a profession Does the First Amendment allow for journalism to be considered a profession? Does the First Amendment offer special protections for journalists?

Journalism as a profession Does the First Amendment allow for journalism to be considered a profession? Does the First Amendment offer special protections for journalists? Do the media have common elements?

Journalism as a profession Does the First Amendment allow for journalism to be considered a profession? Does the First Amendment offer special protections for journalists? Do the media have common elements? Can wrongdoers be sanctioned?

Jack Kelley Foreign reporter for USA Today Fabricated details of war reportage Lost his job and is out of journalism

Mike Barnicle Columnist for the Boston Globe Survived repeated instances of plagiarism and fabrication Lost job, but remains in journalism