1. LIBEL, PRIOR RESTRAINT, AND OBJECTIVITY A STORY BASED ON TRUE EVENTS By the Awesome Crew AKA Brooke, Kenley, Noemi, and Derrick

2. OBJECTIVITY  objectivity - the detached and unprejudiced gathering and dissemination of news and information.  Objectivity means that when covering hard news, reporters don’t convey their own feelings, biases or prejudices in their stories. They accomplish this by writing stories using a language that is neutral and avoids characterizing people or institutions in ways good or bad.  The intrepid protesters demonstrated against the unjust government policies.  Just by using the words “intrepid” and “unjust” the writer has quickly conveyed his feelings on the story – the protesters are brave and just in their cause, the government policies are wrong. For this reason, hard-news reporters usually avoid using adjectives in their stories.

3. PRIOR RESTRAINT  Definition- Judicial suppression of material that would be published or broadcast, on the grounds that it is libelous or harmful.  Prior restraint is related to journalism in that the news media is allowed to publish information free of government censorship.  Example: A judge can issue a gag order on a trial which prohibits the people involved in the trial from speaking about it publicly in order to protect the defendant’s right to an unbiased trial.

4. LIBEL  Definition- Defamation through writing and print.  Libel is relevant because it is against the law for journalists to do.  Example: Justin Timberlake was asked by a girl to dance with her during an interview. Justin politely declined but the news media reported the occurrence as if Justin had rudely said no and acted as if he were a bad person.

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