Chapter 1, “All About News” How would you define “news”?

Some definitions of “News” Anything people don’t know Anything people don’t know Anything that’s new Anything that’s new Timely information Timely information What people want to know What people want to know What people need to know What people need to know Information that affects us Information that affects us

The importance of news The press as a “watchdog of the government” in our democracy—helps safeguard our freedom of speech constitutional right The press as a “watchdog of the government” in our democracy—helps safeguard our freedom of speech constitutional right A British politician and political thinker first called the press “the Fourth Estate” after Britain’s other three classes of society-- nobility, clergy and commoners—represented in Parliament. But in the press gallery sat a fourth estate more powerful than the other three A British politician and political thinker first called the press “the Fourth Estate” after Britain’s other three classes of society-- nobility, clergy and commoners—represented in Parliament. But in the press gallery sat a fourth estate more powerful than the other three

Categories of News Media Mainstream Media—expected to present information without a particular viewpoint—relied on to present contrasting viewpoints on issues to citizens can formulate their own opinions Mainstream Media—expected to present information without a particular viewpoint—relied on to present contrasting viewpoints on issues to citizens can formulate their own opinions Mainstream Imitators—Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly and other imitate mainstream media but really are out to present a biased viewpoint, often political Mainstream Imitators—Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly and other imitate mainstream media but really are out to present a biased viewpoint, often political Nonmainstream Media—have an agenda and are geared toward a particular, supportive audience base with a specific perspective (religious broadcasts for example) Nonmainstream Media—have an agenda and are geared toward a particular, supportive audience base with a specific perspective (religious broadcasts for example) Tabloid and Sensational Media– strive to excite and entertain readers and viewers by exaggerating, overstating and stretching the facts; stories are sensational and outlandish Tabloid and Sensational Media– strive to excite and entertain readers and viewers by exaggerating, overstating and stretching the facts; stories are sensational and outlandish

Cornerstones of Journalism (in mainstream news media) Accuracy Accuracy Objectivity and Impartiality Objectivity and Impartiality Fairness Fairness Balance Balance Perspective and Context Perspective and Context

Characteristics of News Conflict Conflict Controversy Controversy Uniqueness Uniqueness Prominence Prominence Impact Impact Relevance Relevance Location/Proximity Location/Proximity Human Interest and Emotional Impact Human Interest and Emotional Impact Compelling video and sound for TV and radio Compelling video and sound for TV and radio

Characteristics of a Good Reporter Strong sense of ethics Strong sense of ethics Curiosity Curiosity Desire to get the story right Desire to get the story right Healthy skepticism Healthy skepticism Persistence Persistence Resourcefulness Resourcefulness Organized Organized Willingness to accept criticism Willingness to accept criticism Flexibility Flexibility Enjoy being with people Enjoy being with people