Chapter 1, All About News

1
Chapter 1, All About News

• How would you define news?

2
Some definitions of News

• Anything people dont know
• Anything thats new
• Timely information
• What people want to know
• What people need to know
• Information that affects us

3
The importance of news

• The press as a watchdog of the government in
  our democracyhelps safeguard our freedom of
  speech constitutional right
• A British politician and political thinker first
  called the press the Fourth Estate after
  Britains other three classes of society--
  nobility, clergy and commonersrepresented in
  Parliament. But in the press gallery sat a
  fourth estate more powerful than the other three

4
Categories of News Media

• Mainstream Mediaexpected to present information
  without a particular viewpointrelied on to
  present contrasting viewpoints on issues to
  citizens can formulate their own opinions
• Mainstream ImitatorsRush Limbaugh, Bill OReilly
  and other imitate mainstream media but really are
  out to present a biased viewpoint, often
  political
• Nonmainstream Mediahave 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

5
Cornerstones of Journalism(in mainstream news
media)

• Accuracy
• Objectivity and Impartiality
• Fairness
• Balance
• Perspective and Context

6
Characteristics of News

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

7
Characteristics of a Good Reporter

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