Introduction to Journalism

Why Journalism is Cool First to know the news On the scene reporting Writing for an audience Ability to influence the way people think.

Terms to Know journalism = the business of collecting, writing, and distributing news for the public. journalist = person gathering, writing, or preparing news for publication. reporter = journalist who interviews news sources or attends news events in order to obtain information and then writes a news story for publication or broadcast. editor = supervises preparation of all or part of a newspaper, news magazine, or newscast. Managing editor, sports editor, entertainment editor, etc.

Communicating in Today’s World Transferring Ideas from Sender to Receiver  sender (communicator)  receiver  message  *** In addition to the words or actions used to convey the message, there must also be an understanding that a message will be sent (otherwise the receiver may not be on the lookout and miss it)***  The sender must carefully choose words to convey the meaning he or she intends. Many words are vague in meaning (cool – is it hot or cold, or where in the middle?) Make all language as clear as possible.

Two Basic Kinds of Communication interpersonal communication = communication between two people who are on equal footing and can provide feedback to each other. Examples: conversation, letter, , telephone call, IM mass communication = communicator addresses a purposeful, organized message to a large audience with whom he or she does not interact on a personal basis. Examples: PA System, magazine, radio, newspaper, internet *** Most mass communication is devised so that even if the audience is not paying complete attention, they will still grasp the important parts of the message. (Think commercials)  medium = channel or method of communication.  mass media (media) = instruments of mass communication. Examples: television, radio, books, magazines, internet, newspaper, recordings, movies, billboards, etc.

Understanding the Purpose and Value of Mass Communication Four Principal Purposes  Provide Information  Present Opinions  Persuade People to take a certain course of action  Entertain

Exploring Newscasts Newscasts – news summaries occurring at regularly scheduled intervals. (6:00, 10:00) press associations –international groups that cover and provide news stories that are published worldwide (AP, Reutgers) commentaries – not an impartial presentation of news – designed to help listeners think for themselves. commentator - expert expressing a personal opinion documentary – essentially factual, but often one- sided approach to a current event issue. Not live coverage.

About News News has the power to have a huge emotional impact. News/information is one of the most desired commodities in the world. News is perishable – must be delivered while still fresh. Five major news media  Radio  TV  Magazines  Newspapers  Internet

Inspecting News Magazines Think Time, Newsweek, US News and World Reports, Sports Illustrated, Business Week. Photojournalism = a story in picture format (a series of pictures with captions or brief explanatory paragraphs)

Understanding Newspapers Newspapers were the first means of mass communication back in the early seventeenth century School newspapers  Most school newspapers are in tabloid format (half the size of a newspaper, five columns wide)

Six News Audiences Mainstream – (20 percent) skips the highbrow stuff, reads the local paper, watches network and cable news, is interested in sports and crime, but not in foreign news. Basically Broadcast – (17 percent) gets most news from local TV; rarely watches cable news; enjoys health, community, and crime news. Very Occasional – (18 percent) tunes in only when something big is happening, tends to be lower income and heavily male. Constant – (13 percent) watches, listens to, and reads almost everything, likes all topics and the clicker. Serious News – (12 percent) relies heavily on National Public Radio, Wall Street Journal, New York Times. Likes news and business magazines. Tabloid – (14 percent) rejects traditional broadcast news. Favors the National Enquirer, tabloid TV, and tell-all talk shows.

Public Journalism (Civic Journalism) Evolved as a response to criticisms of the press including:  It no longer speaks to its audience’s needs and interests  It sensationalizes and trivializes news  It throws information at us without telling us what it means. It doesn’t turn over decisions about the news – it gives them the information and lets them form their own ideas. It helps to organize community projects. It goes beyond the objective neutral stance. It acknowledges that everyone should work together to improve civic life.

Tips for You News is everywhere. Listen to people around you. The gossip at your lunch table could be a news story! When your news story presents a problem, be sure to include choices that may be made by the reader in order to solve the problem (think the gas crisis) Don’t interview the extremists, your audience cannot identify with them. Find those in the middle that can see both sides of the issue and explain the problems of both. Don’t preach – stimulate discussion. Write about faith and values – they are a crucial part of many people’s lives. Give the reader something to do: someone to call, something to attend, something to look for, read, etc.