1. 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.

2. Today What is news Course structure Unit requirements
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3. 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.
Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

4. 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.

5. 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.

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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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 )
Journalism is literature in a hurry. (Matthew Arnold, British poet and critic)
Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

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

19. The course
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20. Unit guide Read it! Learning objectives(p.1)
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21. Schedule: “print”
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22. Schedule: radio
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23. 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.

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

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. Contacts See Unit guide
Robert Carey – Phone: – – Room B4.36
Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.