1. The Journalist and Newsgathering
Mass Media, 2014

2. Journalism
The gathering and dissemination of information about current events, trends, issues, and people.

3. Purpose of Journalism
Provide people with the information they need to be:
Free
Self-governing

4. Nine Principles of Journalism
First obligation
The Truth
First loyalty
The Citizens
Its essence is a discipline of verification
Its practitioners must maintain independence from those they cover

5. It must serve as an independent monitor of power
It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise
It must strive to make the significant, interesting and relevant
It must keep the news comprehensive and proportional
Its practitioners must be allowed to exercise their personal conscience

6. How to Gather Information
Interviewing people:
Ask open-ended questions
Sort fact from fiction
Check your sources
Examining written record
Searching public records
Books and internet sources
Court transcripts and legal documents
Personal Observations
Witnessing a story first-hand
Watching a fire, viewing a baseball game, etc.