Journalism: Principles and Practice bridges the gap between the academic study of the media and the handson realities of working in a newsroom. The book teaches aspiring journalists how to research, verify, and tell compelling stories ethically. The book delves into the raison d'être of journalism, exploring its role in society, democracy, and public discourse. Discusses the pursuit of the "best obtainable version of the truth" and whether objective reporting is achievable in modern media. Explores the tension between journalism as a tool to hold the powerful accountable and journalism as a commercial entertainment business. Not all information qualifies as news. This book breaks down the subjective criteria, often referred to as "news values," that journalists and editors use to determine if a story is newsworthy. Explores why recent, local, or geographically relevant events are prioritized. Details how stories affecting a large number of people or carrying severe consequences dominate headlines. Discusses the media's natural gravitation toward covering wellknown figures. Highlights why unfolding accidents, bizarre incidents, and human struggle appeal to audiences. Evaluates how the specific agenda of a news organization influences what gets selected and how it is framed. This book thoroughly addresses the 'converged' nature of much 21st century journalism, with discussion and examples of online practice embedded throughout to represent the reality that online journalism is increasingly part of the job for all journalists. This book embraces the new without abandoning the fundamentals of what journalism is all about. It will continue to inspire students of journalism to reflect on everyday practice and connect it to academic debate.
Dr. Joe Elgar is an awardwinning investigative journalist and media scholar with over two decades of field experience. Whether tracking down breaking political scandals in bustling metropolises or teaching the nuances of verification in the digital age, Elgar bridges the gap between traditional reporting and modern media landscapes. He is currently serving as a senior editor and a distinguished lecturer, focusing on press freedom, multimedia storytelling, and the core tenets of truth in reporting. He spent 15 years as a foreign correspondent for global news networks. He has covered conflict zones, political corruption, and human rights crises. He specializes in media ethics, digital misinformation, and the evolution of publicinterest reporting. Dr. Joe lives in Chicago, Illinois, where she mentors the next generation of truthseekers and hosts the weekly media analysis podcast, The Daily Beat.
Preface Chapter 1. The Nature and Purpose of Journalism Defining Journalism and News Social Functions of Journalism Journalism and Democratic Life Journalism as a Profession Rights and Duties of Journalists Journalism in a Changing Media Environment Contemporary Debates on Journalism Chapter 2. News Values and Story Selection What Makes News Newsworthy Timeliness, Relevance, and Impact Sources, Credibility, and Authority Proximity, Conflict, and Human Interest Editorial Judgment and Gatekeeping Bias, Balance, and Fairness Agenda Setting and Framing Ethical Considerations in News Selection Chapter 3. News Gathering and Reporting Techniques News Beats and Reporting Assignments Interviewing Skills and Techniques Observation and Field Reporting Research and Backgrounding Verification and FactChecking Handling Sources and Confidentiality Reporting under Pressure Safety and Risk Awareness Chapter 4. News Writing and Story Structure Principles of Clear and Accurate Writing The Inverted Pyramid Style Leads, Nut Graphs, and Transitions Quotes, Attribution, and Paraphrasing Writing for Print, Broadcast, and Digital Headlines, Captions, and Subheads Rewriting, Editing, and Proofreading Style, Tone, and Language Use Chapter 5. Ethics and Professional Standards Ethical Foundations of Journalism Accuracy, Truth, and Accountability Objectivity and Impartiality Privacy, Harm, and Public Interest Conflict of Interest and Independence Visual and Digital Ethics Corrections, Retractions, and Transparency Codes of Ethics and SelfRegulation Chapter 6. Newsroom Organization and Practices Structure of News Organizations Roles of Editors and Reporters Newsroom Workflow and Deadlines Editorial Meetings and Planning Coordination across Platforms Newsroom Culture and Values Diversity and Inclusion in Newsrooms Leadership and DecisionMaking Chapter 7. Digital Journalism and New Media Online News Production Social Media and News Distribution Multimedia and Visual Storytelling Mobile Journalism Practices Audience Metrics and Analytics Participatory and Citizen Journalism Challenges of Speed and Accuracy Adapting Principles to Digital Platforms Chapter 8. Specialized Forms of Journalism Political and Parliamentary Reporting Business and Economic Journalism Crime and Court Reporting Science, Health, and Environment Reporting Sports and Cultural Journalism Investigative and Watchdog Journalism Development and Community Journalism International and Conflict Reporting Bibliography Index
$280.00