Journalism Blog- Week 7

Chapter 7

1. I think they should aim at a high school education level. The majority of people is society have gone to year 10. The the language of newspaper's shouldn't get more difficult then the language and skills leaned up to this level. News story language should be easy to read, save the big words for the business papers. Pages 142-143 of the text book suggest that simplicity is a good thing for news articles. I believe the Newcastle Herald hits this mark. I am familiar with the language used and what is meant as is other friends the same age who left school in year 10.
   
2. I don't think they should at all really. It is obvious they need to interpret which events are most important however it shouldn't be one persons decision. It should be based on what they see is the most important to cover for the public interest, not on what is going to make the best story. They should not be able to inject their thoughts, this is the readers job, to make assumptions based on the facts that journalists provide. (Accuracy Pg. 156).
3. It does matter because this will effect what people see as 'correct', right/wrong. This may ultimately effect credibility. The idea of a global language would be useful however. If everyone was to use the same way of writing (spelling, punctuation etc.), it would make a journalist/editors job much easier and the audience could read stories easier across the world. (refer to pg 147).
4. I believe the majority do. There is always 'direct quotes' used, attribution, statistics etc to back up a story. It is however, hard for readers to prove how true these are. This is because we simply accept that what is published in a newspaper must be true.
5. I would publish a notice correcting the mistake anyway. Just because no-one has contacted the paper doesn't mean people are unaware of the mistake. You must keep credibility and also serve the public interests. (pg 156- Accuracy).

• 'Journalism could be said to be non-fiction writing (news) which relies on identifiable sources'. (Knight 2000, 48)
• Use short sentences, use short paragraphs. Use vigorous English, not forgetting to strive for smoothness. Be positive, simple and orderly.
  
• Things that must be dismissed from a news-story: Long explanations, unnecessary adjectives, cliches, elaborate phraseology, 'police speak', confusing statistics/technical info, anything not vital to the story, jargon, complex phrases. Know your audience.
  
• Instead of cutting out paragraphs from the end of the story, space can be saved by eliminating words that are not needed (that, big, small) and by shortening phrases. The key to communication is condensing a message to its simplest form.
  
• Good reporting takes the reader beyond the words used and to the actual event described.
• 'Word choice is central to all discussions surrounding the basics of journalism' (Brennen 2000, 107). For newspapers, the determining factor is whether a word has achieved community understanding and acceptance. Language of news must be learned!
• Writing Style- selection of words to convey mood or feeling. Need style and substance.
• House style- rules of punctuation, capitalisation and spelling. Gives clarity and uniformity to newspaper articles. Can change between publications.
• In Australia there is an industry standard for news writing style. (eg. numbers up to nine are spelt out, numerals for everything else. Proper titles of organisations, contractions are avoided, active voice is favored.)
• Intos are usually written in present tense which the body drops back to past tense. Indirect quote- past tense. Convey matters of substance clearly.
  
• Each sentence should stick to one key idea and the story should answer readers basic questions. A well balanced story might have 6 paragraphs (one sentence in length): Intro- 22 words, Two- 16 words, Three- 34 words, Four- 10 words, Five- 21 words, Six- 29 words. The standard/ideal word average for a sentence is 17 words. The most compelling information should be conveyed in the first few words, put attributes at the end of a sentence.
  
• A story needs to be fair, in the public interest and true. Accuracy is important (factual), needs to be credible to sources and readers. Check dates name spellings, titles. Don't make assumptions, use a sound recorder, as questions in an interview to clarify points, cross-check info with other sources.
  
• A journalist will act as the primary filter between a news event and the story, gaining info through direct observation. A reporter must assess the authenticity of info and discard subjective sources. Reporters should recognise the motives, challenge the source where appropriate, and realise the stronger the motive, the more likely the facts and opinions will be slanted.
• Rumour and unconfirmed reports, if published at all, should be identified as such (alleged).
  

Journalism Blog- Week 6

Chapter 6

1. Yes, I think I would because it is important to include the ‘other side’ due to ethical reasons. I guess it is sonly fair to include a balancing comment. You are simply reporting it for public interests, it isn’t your job to prove a persons comments are completely untrue.
2. I would publish it but acknowledge that an opposing side was unavailable and make an effort to publish a balancing comment as soon as possible. This could be unethical however. It depends how serious the issue in the story was. If it wasn’t very important I would withhold the story maybe for a later date to try and get a balancing comment. I would try to do what is best for public interests.
3. I would look out for falling objects and injured people. I would make sure I wasn’t in the way of any rescue attempts either. I would interview witnesses and professionals such as fire brigades, as soon as it was safe to do so. Probably not friends and relatives straight away as they would be in a distraught state. I would just try to find the facts first, such as how it started.
4. Yes, I think that the inverted pyramid is still used the most. I tend to read The Newcastle Herald most of the time and I find that the most important details are first and the endings seem to be on the boring side. I also think it is the most effective method of structuring material. This is because it is quicker and easier to find out the story and it’s most important facts first. For a majority of people today, time is an issue and this style is more efficient for those busy people.

• Upside-down pyramids are known as one of the ‘seven wonders of the news room’. It is a basic news story structure- the inverted pyramid. It means that a story’s most important elements should appear at the top and then descend in order of importance. Readers what the most important info first.
• This type of structure tends to include Kipling’s Six Strong Serving Men (the 5 Ws and the H).
• The inverted pyramid is sub-editor-friendly. They simply cut from the bottom up of a story to make it fit.
• There is rarely a conclusion in a news story, only the least important paragraph.
• Issue-based stories structure for article- 1) intro (mentions A, B, C), 2) summary paragraph (further develops A), 3) supporting paragraph (elaborates on B and C), 4) quotation, 5) other issues (D, E, F), 6) A (full details), 7) B (full details), 8) C (full details), 9) D (full details), 10) E (full details), 11) F (full details).
• Event-based news story (reactive)- May involve a chronology. May include: 1) injuries, 2) physical damage, 3) chronology/summary, 4) suspects/ explanation of cause, 5) quotations, 6) update (aftermath/investigation).
• Guiding Principle- People are more interested in people than things. Therefore, death, injury and human tragedy are high on the public interest list.
• Rather than getting details by phone, it is better to go to the scene of a major incident. When arriving at the scene, a good journalist will not rush in and try get close to the heart of the action. They will approach slowly, taking time to survey the incident- looking for potential dangers and threats to their own safety while getting a clear overview of the situation, something which will help them greatly when they write their article.
• Witnesses can assist the reporter in cross-checking info provided by other sources.
• Building blocks- 1) narrative 2) description 3) quotations 4) paraphrasing 5) exposition.
• Transitional devices- ‘word bridges’, that glue stories together. Lead readers through an article. Tie paragraphs together, such as ‘furthermore’, ‘the previous paragraph.’
• Block writing- involves putting facts and opinions on a related subject in adjoining series of paragraphs.
• Fairness and balance are essential to content. Opposing viewpoints should be displayed high in the story. This is an ethical issue.
• Establishing chronologies, accurately recording a sequence of events and the development of timelines can be critical in piecing together what has occurred.
• Types of reporting- 1) straight traditional (inverted pyramid), 2) narrative (real characters act), 3) point of view (visible point) and 4) radical clarity (no assumptions).
• Editors suggest- accept and use new forms and techniques, serve readers’ needs, encourage story-telling in news stories, think of the inverted pyramid as a form not the form for writing, insist on a separation of ‘news telling’ from opinion.

I personally think that the inverted pyramid should be followed by journalists who write news stories. In this era, it is a much more practical way of approaching a story and will achieve more followers to the newspaper that uses this type of structure.

Journalism Blog-Week 5

Chapter 5

1) I read the news on the front page and the other stories on the first few pages. This is where I learn the most about what is happening in the world at present. The next place I usually flip to is the classifieds. This is because I am seeking a new job and this section provides 'positions vacant'. I also like to have a look at my star sign, usually on the last page. Sport would be then next thing I would look at as I am interested to find out the footy scores and ladder but thats all I look at in the sports section.

2) I spend a lot more time watching television. I think that this is because you can watch tv and do something else at the same time. If I had the newspaper delivered to my house of a morning I would spend more tine reading the local paper because it is there and I have easy access to it.

3) I would definitely write the trick intro as long as it met the interests of the readers. The aim of your intro is to attract the reader and make them want to read on. Your trying to gain public attention. The central news value can then be added later.

4) Begin summarising the information and decide what angle to take. I would then begin writing the body of the story. This should allow you to create an intro in your mind which best summarises what has already been written and that will make a reader want to know more.

5) Have a word to the sub-editor, then write to your sources apologising ang explain what has happened. It wouold also be a good idea to try and publish the story again but re-written with a new angle that may shed light on how the last article should have been written and understood.

Some things that I learnt and found intersesting:

• The lead (intro) is a reporters first, best and possibly only chance to impress the reader. It is the reporters journalistic signature. (pg 104)
• The intro is the reporter's version of a headline.
• Intro's are examined and are the major factor that determines whether a story will be run and where it will be placed. The intro is considered the most important part of a story and the most difficult to write.
• An into's goal is to signal that what lies ahead will be informative, pleasurable, interesting, enlightening, compelling and educational. 'Spill the beans quickly.'
• Leiter et al. (2000, p.93)- 'Good leads look deceptively simple because they flow effortlessly; they don't strain. Good leads have a strong sense of rhythm, unity and pace. They don't overwhelm the reader. They reach out and touch the reader with excitement or drama or humour and make her/him face a critical decision: should I go on?'
• Newspapers present more facts, interpretation, and commentary to more people, in greater detail than any other news medium.
• Research shows that people are first attracted to a photograph, then its caption, then the biggest headline, then its intro.
• As a general rule news story intros should consist of a single sentence in a stand alone paragraph ranging from 20-25 words or less. Avoid 'run-on' sentences. Avoid generalisation and repetition, the vague, the obvious, the sensational, the misleading, the essay, the confusing, the meaningless.
• Types of news intros- Direct (flat statement), attribution (offical figures), summary (all-in-one), decision (includes attribution), delayed (buried lead), question (avoid), quotation(only if it sums up the situation) and direct address ('you', 'I', 'we').
• Keep intro's short and simple. Use the active voice (subject-verb-object), strongest part of message first, summarise, only use essentail detail, use present tense, stick to 'said', tell a story, avoid beat-ups (be fair,objective and accurate).
• Plan your story- research subject first, make a list of people to interview, make a list of questions, use newsroom networking (finding sources) and organise your material.

Journalism Blog-Week 4

Chapter 4

1) The story dominated the front pages of the nation's newspapers as well as broadcast news bulletins and online news. News broadcasts devoted major segments of their bulletins to the tragedy and its aftermath. The impact news value was used by journalists. Proximity was also used as Australia's population is clustered around low-lying coastline and a nation neighboring the worst hit nation, Indonesia. Some of the devastated areas such as Thailand, were a favorite holiday destination for Australians. The media played tthe devastation in tourist areas up.

2) Conflict, Proximity and Human Interest. Conflict attracts reader interest and the readers become spectators. Here there has been a conflict between the woman and Qld police. This story has proximity in Australia as well. This can be a worry for many as Australia is a multicultural nation and its residents speak many different languages. Human interest is also found within this story. It provides an insight into the immigration policies and how police work.

3) b. Prince Charles is a highly recognisable character on an international scale. As chapter 4 (pg 93) says, 'names make news.'

4) A contemporary event or issue that is new and different from the normal flow of events.

5) Yes definitely. It covers all the focus points that a news story should contain. It would provide enough detail to satisfy human interest/expectations. Stories have always included the five Ws and the H and should continue to!

Things that I thought were interesting-

• 'News, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.' (Pg 78)
• Benjamin Bradlee- defines news as 'the first rough draft of history.' (pg 79)
• 'Readers don't want the predictable.' (pg 79)
• just as the readings this week say, distinctions should be made between 'truth', 'news' and 'versions of reality,' that are based on self-interested 'sources.' (Epstein 1975, 3)
• 'News' signalise a new event. 'Truth' bring to light hidden facts to set them in relation with each other.'
• 2001 ABA study (chapter 1) found that 90% of those surveyed believe media owners influenced the news and current affairs. They were concerned with sensationalised, intrusive, biased and inaccurate reporting.
• News can be defined as any information of interest to the target audience. (pg 81)
• News values that make a story newsworthy are: impact, conflict, timeliness, proximity, prominence, currency, human interest and the unusual.
  
• Who, What, When, Where, Why and How- Kipling 1986. Always needs to be answered in some form, as close to the beginning of the story as possible and link in with the news values. (pg 83-84)
• The greater the impact, the bigger the story. (pg 85)
• Repetition erodes currency and will diminish impact unless a fresh angle is found.
  
• It is a journalists job to define news values.
  

Journalism Blog-Week 3

Chapter 2

1) I believe the media function 'inform' is the most important. As pages 31-32 in the text book suggest, the public relies on journalists and media to provide information about many things. This includes government policies, news and commerce. The informative function is linked to the idea of a 'watchdog role' and this is important as it aims to protect the public from those with political, legal and financial power who try to control the media. Few citizens can or want to attend parliament, public meetings or a criminal trial but many will want to know what happened. The informative role then comes into play in order to meet public interests.

2)To a large degree. The results of readership and profits show how the journalists and editors perform their key functions. A journalist should be using the figures as a form of feedback to their work. It should be important to journalists how many read their pieces. Profitability can also demonstrate the achievements of the media outlet.

3) No, I don't believe so. I think they should have a say in it but not have control and be able to decide on what does or doesn't get put into the media. It should be a group decision that has only the public interests in mind. It is important that newspapers/media fulfill their roles to inform and educate. The owner may only make choices based on their own gains which is a huge problem.

4) Yes, I believe it does. I was very disappointed to read (pg 36-37) about how little there is of it now. I do agree that it is very time consuming and costly, however I believe it is the best function that acts as a 'watchdog' (Fourth Estate). For the readers who have more time, it would sell papers and increase ratings as this type of journalism can provide new information and in depth coverage. The problem is though, as it stands, it doesn't ultimately sell papers or increase ratings. it would be better to put this type of reporting in the weekend paper or left to current affairs.

5) This is a very difficult proposition. On one side you need to perform the policy of recording the conviction. The medias function is to inform/educate the public on such matters however it is also important to have advertisers/income to keep the paper running, in order to do the functions they should do (pages 42-45). I personally would be loyal to the readers and act in the best interests of the public. I would publish the report as it is part of the policy. If anything, I might downplay the story and only make it brief. The reality is that you can find a new advertiser but it is difficult to find a new audience. If it wasn't in my paper then it would be in another. People who have more money should never be treated differently. it is about respect, policy and the forth estate.

Points I was interested in:

• News power=personal power.
  
• Media sets the agenda for public debate.
• Freedom of the press 'for those who own it.'(JJ Liebing)
• 1975 Deputy PM, Jim Cairns said 'the media is the most powerful force in Australia today.'
• I find it interesting that a 2004 survey found that 66% of Australians relied on tv as their main source of news as apposed to newspapers.
  
• This chapter talks a lot about government influence over the media and shows how the 'fourth estate' is not working. Altschull (Agents of Power 1984)- 'An independent press is impossible because the press is no more than a tool for political and economic interests.'
  
• Media functions AJA Code (pg 30-31)- Seek truth and pass onto communities in ways which inform, educate and entertain. The media represent the publics right to hear, speak and be heard. Journalists and media can be followers or forerunners of public opinion- reactive or proactive. They can ignore corruption or expose it.
• Today little investigative journalism occurs due to lack of funding and time. Defamation laws means the possibility that the information gathered cannot be published. This was quite dissapointing as I would be interested in pursuing detailed investigations in the future. they are the most visible 'watchdog'.
  

Journalism Blog- Week 2

Chapter 1- Answers

1) I don't believe journalists should risk going to jail or should accept dangerous assignments however I do think it is important that journalists take difficult stories. Journalists act as messengers but unfortunately are seen as the bad guys and face new defamation laws. Journalists actually keep the public safe in a way. They inform us, educate and entertain us. Society needs journalism to keep us out of the dark especially on topics that may attract negative attention for being published.

2) It is very hard for them to improve it. I can only suggest, completely avoid bias, provide a broad range of coverage on all topics and include interviews from both parties when it comes to publishing conflicts.

3) It can teach you about the way the media world works. You can be better educated in the way the industry runs. You gain many skills such as better communication, creative thinking, problem solving and time management. You also gain confidence in yourself to ask difficult questions and seek answers.

4) Yes, I believe so. Newspapers were the first form of media. They cover many functions- to inform, educate and entertain. Newspapers provide you with written evidence. The text in front of you is left for you to interpret in your own way. Newspapers can be kept and referred back to where as media on radio and television is often quick, less detailed and not as likely to be remembered. Newspapers can also fill in time and expand your vocabulary. They provide many different sections such as real estate, profiles and international news. They cater for a variety of different people and cheaply too. It is easier to provide feedback and have it shown to the public as well (opinion section). I do think they will become more entertainment focused however. New generations tend to lack interest in the news/facts/figures and I believe they will want more entertainment, more crosswords etc.

5) Yes they do. As it says on page 20 of this weeks reading, a journalists job is about 'seeking the truth in the public interest and about telling those truths in a way the public can understand. Journalists provide a lot of information on politics. They help run the system by informing the public on such things as where their tax is being spent, issues raised in parliament, new laws and campaigns for politicians.

6) I think newspapers newspapers, even if a 3rd party (journalists) have written it. It is meant to be objective and provide detailed information including quotes from interviews. Research goes into writing these stories. Newspapers focus more on the news thus would be more credible then television or radio who focus mainly on entertainment.

7) No, we need journalists to do our research and provide information to the public. The media inform us, educate us and entertain us. The news media is a main source of knowledge about what is happening in the world. This communication is needed to avoid a breakdown in society.

* I don't really like the idea of how journalists are perceived as talked about in the beginning of this weeks reading. Journalists are simply messengers and performing their duty to the public and their bosses gets them in trouble.