What makes news interesting? It should be concise, descriptive, and picture-perfect. It should make its reader say, “Gee Whiz!” Today, our capacity for surprise is diminished by the proliferation of news sources and our constant thirst for more information. But why do we still need news? Here are the principles of journalism that make news worthwhile:
Value of news
The value of news is the basis on which events are selected for publication. This explains why certain events and people are considered newsworthy. There are two kinds of news: fake and real news. False news is not reported and published in order to spread misinformation. True news is reported and published with the purpose of influencing public opinion and bringing people closer to the issue. But fake news can also spread misinformation. This is why fake news is so harmful for public opinion.
Principles of journalism
Among the ethical standards a journalist must follow are the following: independence, impartiality and balance in reporting. Although there are some exceptions, most news stories involve more than one side. A journalist should avoid placing competing viewpoints on equal footing, especially in opinion writing or creative nonfiction. Also, journalists should write under their own bylines and accept responsibility for their reporting, retraction, and errors. Journalism is not a business – it is a profession.
Objectivity
Objectivity in news is important, but there are times when it is not possible to maintain neutrality. The New York Times, for example, promulgated “alleged facts” about Iraq’s WMDs from unnamed sources. In another example, CBS journalists aired documents from “unimpeachable sources” without any basis, blurring their view of the evidence. This is an example of how journalists can be ineffective in pursuing objectivity.
Fairness
Students can weigh fairness in news stories by considering word choice, context, and counterpoints. A “Is It Fair?” explainer video and tipsheet graphic can help them make this assessment. Students can work alone or in small groups to come up with their own judgments. They can also discuss the process by answering Discussion Questions. To end the lesson, students can share their findings with their peers. In addition, they can continue the discussion through further discussions.
Shareability
New data reveals how news is packaged and shared in social media. Researchers have identified three key lines of interest for news: users, organizations, and sharing networks. While the findings show a significant variety of factors, they also offer valuable insights into how news can be packaged for maximum social impact. Listed below are some of the highlights of the Shareability of news project. But what does it all mean? And how can publishers and organizations improve news packaging?
Media monopolies
A federal anti-trust agency is considering rules that could lead to a more diverse media landscape and less concentration of ownership among media companies. The new rules would eliminate some long-standing restrictions on media ownership, such as the ban on joint ownership of broadcast TV stations and newspapers. But these rules have a negative effect on the media market. In contrast, media monopolies would be the most likely result of a merger between two companies. Moreover, media monopolies are highly profitable businesses.