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Introduction to Journalism
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Introduction to Journalism
What is Journalism?
Journalism is basically a simple game. It is about finding things out and telling other people about them.
Good journalists must ask the awkward questions and question the answers, must dig to unearth and then explain.
Ultimately there is only one purpose:
- To make the reader read the story. If they don't, what was the point of finding it out and telling it?
- The journalist must grab the attention at once.
The word journalism was originally applied to the reportage of current events in printed form, specifically newspapers.
But with the advent of radio, television, and the Internet in the 20th century the use of the term broadened to include all printed and electronic communication dealing with current affairs.
History
When do you think Journalism began?
Ancient Rome: the Acta Diurna 59 BCE.
The Acta Diurna recorded important daily events such as public speeches. It was published daily and hung in prominent places.
In China during the Tang dynasty, a court circular called a bao.
During the Tang dynasty 600-900ce this “report,” was issued to government officials.
One of the first daily newspapers, The Daily Courant, appeared in 1702.
The first English newspaper, the Weekly Newes, was published in 1622.
Traditional Journalism (the legacy or mainstream media)
Traditional journalism includes the mediums of television, radio, newspapers, news magazines and their online offshoots.
These outlets are regulated by media law and press ethics and were once highly regarded as the bastions of reliable news. And before the internet, they were the only source.
Journalists are meant to be society’s watchdogs, charged with providing neutral, balanced, and accurate reports of events, and exposing the truth in government, business, and institutions.
Citizen Journalists
Citizen journalists use platforms such as blogs, podcasts, social media, and YouTube. Technology has opened many doors and practically anyone with a smartphone and laptop, can report on a story.
The 25th edition reveals a significant decrease in public trust in politicians, with trust falling to levels last seen after the expenses crisis of 2009. It also reveals that nurses, engineers and doctors are the top three professions most trusted to tell the truth in Britain in 2022.
Well, what changed?
A new species emerged
They immerse themselves in the story, reporting firsthand and immediately broadcast the uncensored footage online, often before ‘real’ reporters.
They are often reffered to as digital journalists and dominate the online realm of journalism. They are often not accountable for their publications and have created a world of news that can't be trusted.
They are not held to the same standards as traditional journalists. But with their growing influence, many are demanding individuals be held accountable for their words.
Nowadays, journalists typically work for printed newspapers, but also online magazines, radio stations, social media or television channels.
If you'd like to work in this profession..
- You may decide to become a journalist generalist and report on all kinds of news
- Specialise in one type of event, such as politics, sports, entertainment or human interest stories.
1. News journalism
News journalists, or news reporters, research and prepare stories about current events.
As a journalist of this type, you may be responsible for travelling to accident sites where you'd film short clips for new providers or interview witnesses.
1. News journalism
You may also consider working on-site, exploring the best ways to use social media and other media channels to keep viewers, readers and followers informed. This could include: important global, national and local events
Pursuing a career in news journalism may require that you work on your attention to detail, know how to work under pressure and can manage tight deadlines. Your personality must be right for the job.
2. Investigative journalism
Investigative reporters, are typically concerned with investigating a single topic of interest, such as crimes or political corruption.
They may spend months or years researching and preparing a report. Practitioners sometimes use the terms "watchdog reporting" or "accountability reporting."
It's more common for journalists of this type to work as freelancers, but they can also work for agencies, magazines or newspapers. Some investigative journalists work under editors at television and radio stations.
2. Investigative journalism
If you're interested in this type of journalism, it's possible that you'd work irregular hours or travel to more dangerous environments, such as war zones.
3. Reviews journalism
Journalists who specialise in this type of journalism are responsible for writing in-depth features where they review and criticise places, events, art or other people's work.
3. Reviews journalism
you may consider specialising in reviewing music, theatre, cinematography or even mobile, video and board games. the primary goal of your work as a journalist would be to offer an honest critique or make a recommendation to your audience.
It also requires that you have extensive knowledge of the topic, such as music or visual art because it allows you to give your written pieces a broader historical or societal context.
As a reviews journalist, you may benefit from staying up-to-date with recent news about the topics that you cover.
4. Column journalism
As a column journalist or columnist, you can write recurring opinion pieces for newspapers, digital magazines or other publications. Typically, columns focus on one area of readers' interest, such as fashion, lifestyle, beauty, sports or relationships.
Columnists, are freelance journalists who collaborate with one or a few publications on a recurring basis. It's also common for them to work at media agencies that distribute their opinion pieces to multiple publications and media channels.
4. Column journalism
What differentiates a column from other forms of journalism is that it is a regular feature in a publication – written by the same writer or reporter and usually on the same subject area or theme each time
To succeed its useful to establish yourself as an expert in your desired field, for example, by publishing papers or building a strong social media following.
5. Digital journalism
Digital or online journalism is a contemporary form of journalism where editorial content, such as feature stories or news, is distributed to the audiences through online media channels.
To suceed as a digital journalists you need excellent written communication and critical thinking skills. Just like traditional they also benefit from having digital skills of all kinds. This includes:
- Great understanding of the best digital marketing practices
- Online advertising
- Building online communities
- The basics of computer coding languages.
5. Digital journalism
Some digital journalism news sites that may be traditional in nature do pay their employees to write for them, and are often considered as more reliable sources of news.
6. Broadcast journalism
As a broadcast journalist, your role is rooted in communication, finding stories and bringing them to the public quickly in a coherent and engaging way.
Broadcast journalists research, investigate and present news and current affairs content for television, radio and the internet.
Their aim is to present information in a balanced, accurate and interesting way through news bulletins, documentaries and other factual programmes.
6. Broadcast journalism
It's also important that you develop excellent public speaking skills and can adjust the tone of your voice to different audiences, which helps with keeping viewers and listeners engaged.
Broadcast Journalists will probably work as part of a Newsroom team – which may include other Broadcast Journalists, along with producers, editors and reporters who find and write the stories which make it to air.
What makes a good journalist?
- Curiosity
- Persistence
- Toughness
- Good questioning techniques
- The ability to grasp the big truths – with the humility to let them go again when the facts don't fit
- An eye for a story, an ability to write, a sense of fairness
What makes a good Journalist?
TOP TIPS
Do not, under any circumstances tell lies, twist the story and make up your own side of the story.
Expand your vocabulary. Read the daily newspaper. Purchase a nice dictionary and thesaurus.
Task - Self guided
Rsearch into the 6 types of jounalism and analyse the writing style of each type.
Consider:
- How do they grasp your attention?
- What is the tone?
- Who is the audience?
- What platform or medium is the the story told in?
- What was the purpose?
- is it local or global?
- Is it a hard news story or a feature story?