The Nature of News
Adapted by
Dr. Mike Downing from
News Reporting and Writing,
Eighth Edition
Questions to Consider
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Is “print” dead?
Do newspapers report “The Truth” or their version of “The Truth”?
Are newspapers strictly businesses that protect their financial
interests, or is there a higher calling to serve the general interests of
the community?
What is editorial objectivity? Can newspapers be objective?
Questions to Consider (continued)
Should there be a “wall” between
reporters and advertising sales? Or
should the interests of advertisers
determine editorial content?
 Are news stories typically accurate, or do
they tend to invent tension in order to sell
newspapers?
 Noam Chomsky argues that “the media
serves power.” Do you agree or disagree?
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What is News?
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News should be relevant, useful, and interesting.
News should have an impact on the community.
Novelty makes news.
Prominence makes news.
Conflict makes news.
Proximity makes news.
Timeliness makes news.
Finally, good news writing should involve
“actionable information.”
The Fourth Estate
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Journalism is known as the Fourth Estate.
The First Estate are the Clergy
The Second Estate are Nobility
The Third Estate are Non-Nobility (peasants and
workers)
The Fourth Estate refers to the press, both in its
capacity of advocacy and in its ability to frame
political issues. The term goes back at least to
Thomas Carlyle in the first half of the 19th
century.
The Ideals of Journalism
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Journalism's first obligation is to the truth.
Journalism’s first loyalty is to citizens.
Journalism’s essence is a discipline of
verification.
Many have argued that a successful
democracy is based on the preservation of
journalistic ideals. Do you agree?
Blurring the Lines:
Entertainment and News
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Jean Baudrillard argues that Americans
love simulation or “simulacra”. This means
that we accept simulated experience in
place of reality.
Can you think of any examples?
How does this effect our ability to report
and comprehend the news?
5Ws and H
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4)
5)
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Journalists should ask lots of questions:
Who
What
When
Where
Why
How
Do Not Be Afraid
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Never be afraid of appearing foolish.
I once attended a news conference where the CEO of a
relatively large company was discussing numerous recent
acquisitions made by his company.
I asked him, “How do you expect to digest all of those
companies?”
He provided an answer, talking about synergies and value
add; however, within one year, he was no longer the CEO
and the company was fighting bankruptcy.
The lessons: Always ask the obvious questions. Trust your
instincts. Do not be afraid of looking foolish.
Conclusion
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Is there hope for journalism?
Do journalists do any good?
What will the future hold?
The End