Spring 2024 Journalism Chapter 1

Journalism Matters: Chapter 1

COMMUNITY VOICES

The Three Roles of Journalists

2. Journalism as a Database (cont.)

Entertain and Amuse—give more than just info—comics, crosswords, advice columns, reviews of entertainment (movies, concerts).

Keep a Record—serve to record details of public life—election results, births, deaths, weddings, etc.

1. Journalism as a Spotlight

Determines what people/events are examined by what they choose to cover and the priority they give

Provides information—give accurate up-to-date info. on events that impact public. (broadcast media more current/ up to date).

Acts as a lookout—protects the rights of citizens, investigate & expose wrongdoings; act as sentries (guards) — watches for future trends.

First Amendment

Journalism: the effort to gather and report news; represents “a search for the truth”.

3. Journalism as an Open Forum

The Roles and Responsibilities of Journalism

2. Journalism as a Database

Public Journalism –attempts to make public feel “vested in”/part of events; search for opinions of “ordinary people” on current events, issues, etc.

Keep democracy in motion —encourage public service projects

Provides for free speech/freedom of the press.

Gives journalists “power” but comes with responsibility.

Free speech is not absolute!

One can not infringe on rights/safety of others.

Does not cover slander/libel

One can not lie!

Why is this necessary for news media to survive?

Be credible (believable)—accuracy, accuracy, accuracy!

Verify (check) all info—get confirmation from two or more sources.

Be objective (fair, balanced, impartial)—present facts in a straightforward and neutral manner.

Save interpretations, views and opinions for the editorial page.

Contains a large amount of information that can be accessed in a variety of ways (sports scores, weather, mortgage rates, maps, etc.).

“marketplace of ideas” ideas=goods

Interpret and explain

--give background info. to clarify stories

--offer commentaries (broadcast) & editorials (print): personal views/opinions that must be identified as such.

Keep permanent record of community activities.

Enables people to maintain an ongoing conversation about who they are and what they want their communities to be.

Journalists help people determine the important issues and concerns in their communities.

Journalism as a Reflection of society

Types of Newspapers

Example: Journalism as a database - record of community activities

Journalists must report, write and edit news for the entire community.

Stories need to represent the various segments of their communities.

However, in mid-1990s, people of color =10% of journalists employed by daily newspapers.

Kerner Commission criticized the American news media for “basking in a white world, looking out of it, if at all, with a white man’s eyes and a white perspective.”

Integration must occur within the press.

Weekly newspapers-- focus on local community; common in smaller towns; many people read only these.

Daily newspapers—usually in larger cities; cover local, national, international; circulation declining due to roles of Internet, TV news.

https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/01/28/flashback-former-north-attleboro-star-anthony-sherman-makes-his-mark-with-the-kc-chiefs/