THE NEWS

Gatekeeping

• Of the millions of news “events” occurring each day – only a few will be reported

• Someone must decide which stories are reported, and which are not

• News editors, news producers, news directors make those decisions

• They are the gatekeepers

What opens the gate?

• “If it bleeds – it leads.”

• Compelling video

• The “second day,” the “second hour,” the “second minute”

• Newsworthiness

Newsworthiness

• Controversy

• Unusual

• Proximity

• Interesting

• Timeliness

• Impact

Ethics

• Journalistic ethics should address some of the “danger zones” that journalists much watch out for: – unsubstantial or fluffy writing – sensationalism – off-the-record information – investigative reporting – photomanipulation

Privacy

• When should journalists protect the individual’s right to privacy?– Juveniles– Accident victim– Crime victim (certain crimes)

Dealing with sources

• Attribution

• Background

• Deep background

• Not for attribution

• Protecting sources – Shield Laws

History

• The “modern newspaper” was born in 1835 – The New York Herald– Not party-controlled– Independent journalism– Simple writing– Penny paper– Organized into bureaus

Civil War

• Wire services

• Inverted Pyramid style writing

• Photojournalism

• Objectivity

Early 20th Century

• Yellow journalism– Named for “Hogan’s Alley” comic strip– Printed in yellow ink

• Came to mean sensationalism– Stunts– Sex– Scandals

Shifting Media

• Radio and then later TV usurped the dominance of newspapers as primary source for news

• CNN changed the way news is reported with its 24-hour news cycle

• In 2008, the Internet became the “primary source” for news for most Americans

Current problems

• News manipulation is easier with new technology

• Emphasis on celebrity crowds out issues

• Audiences unable to distinguish between fact and opinion

Specialized Journalism

• Sports

• Weather

• Economics

• Agriculture

• Business

• Etc.