Journalism 1. Explain what freedom of the press is, and how the First Amendment guarantees that you can voice your opinion. In your discussion, tell how to distinguish between fact and opinion, and explain the terms libel, slander, defamation, fair comment and criticism, public figure, privacy, and malice. Discuss how these matters relate to ethics in journalism.Paper

QUESTION

This LevelUP examines the role of journalism in communities… some history and classifications of U.S. journalism, laws, mission, and the local impact of local news outlets and journalism professionals.

PAPER (7-10 body pages. Cite sources APA style, please):

1. Explain what freedom of the press is, and how the First Amendment guarantees that you can voice your opinion. In your discussion, tell how to distinguish between fact and opinion, and explain the terms libel, slander, defamation, fair comment and criticism, public figure, privacy, and malice. Discuss how these matters relate to ethics in journalism.

2. Discuss the differences between a hard news story and a feature story.

3. Research and explain:
a. the “five W’s and one H.”
b. the “Inverted Pyramid” style of print journalism
c. some notable differences between paper and web based print writing/lede styles.
d. some notable differences between print and spoken media writing/lede/ headline styles.

4. Provide current multi-platform journalism analysis of an event all on the same day. Watch a local and national network newscast, listen to a radio newscast, and take in a nationally significant online news source.
a. List the different stories and features presented,
b. The different elements used (audio, video, text, graphical), and
c. Time in minutes and seconds, or online space devoted to each story.
d. Compare the similarities and differences in the various outlet coverage and discuss whether the stories are fair and accurate.
e. Explain why different news outlets treated the stories differently and/or presented a different point of view.

ANSWER

The Role of Journalism in Communities: History, Classifications, Laws, and Local Impact

Introduction

Journalism plays a crucial role in providing information to communities, holding power accountable, and facilitating public discourse. This paper aims to examine the history and classifications of U.S. journalism, relevant laws, the mission of journalism, and the local impact of news outlets and journalism professionals. Additionally, it explores the concepts of freedom of the press, distinguishing between fact and opinion, and ethical considerations in journalism. Furthermore, it discusses the differences between hard news stories and feature stories, explores key journalistic techniques, and provides a multi-platform journalism analysis of an event.

Freedom of the Press and Ethics in Journalism

Freedom of the press, protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, ensures that individuals have the right to express their opinions and disseminate information without government interference. This protection allows journalists to hold power accountable and serve as the “Fourth Estate.” To maintain ethical standards, journalists must distinguish between fact and opinion (Wikipedia contributors, 2023). Facts are verifiable information, while opinions reflect personal beliefs or judgments. Ethical considerations encompass concepts such as libel (defamation in written form), slander (defamation in spoken form), defamation, fair comment and criticism, public figure, privacy, and malice. Journalists must exercise caution and adhere to professional ethics to avoid harming individuals through false or malicious reporting.

Differences between Hard News and Feature Stories

Hard news stories focus on providing objective, timely, and essential information to the public. They cover significant events, such as political developments, natural disasters, or crimes. Hard news stories typically follow the inverted pyramid style, conveying the most important information at the beginning and providing additional details as the article progresses (Dubey-Jhaveri, 2016). In contrast, feature stories explore human interest, culture, or lifestyle topics in a more narrative and engaging manner. They aim to entertain, inspire, or educate readers rather than solely delivering the latest news.

Key Journalistic Techniques and Styles

The “Five W’s and One H”: This technique refers to answering the questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how in news reporting to provide a comprehensive understanding of an event or issue.

The “Inverted Pyramid” Style: This style structures news articles by presenting the most critical information first, followed by supporting details arranged in descending order of importance.

 Notable Differences Between Paper and Web-Based Print Writing/Lede Styles: Online writing often features shorter paragraphs, subheadings, and hyperlinks. Web-based articles may also incorporate multimedia elements, such as images, videos, and interactive graphics.

Notable Differences Between Print and Spoken Media Writing/Lede/Headline Styles: Spoken media, such as radio or television, requires concise and engaging writing to capture listeners’ attention. Headlines for print media often focus on grabbing readers’ interest, while spoken media headlines prioritize clarity and brevity.

Multi-Platform Journalism Analysis of an Event

 Different Stories and Features Presented: Analyzing a specific event requires examining various news outlets. Each outlet may prioritize different stories based on its audience and editorial perspective(C. Lee et al., 2014) . It is essential to compare coverage from local and national network newscasts, radio newscasts, and online news sources.

Elements Used: Different outlets employ a mix of audio, video, text, and graphical elements. Television and online sources frequently utilize videos and images, while radio relies on audio. Textual content, including articles, transcripts, or captions, supports all platforms.

 Time or Space Devoted to Each Story: It is necessary to document the duration or space allocated to each story across platforms to understand the emphasis given to different topics.

Similarities and Differences in Outlet Coverage: Comparing outlet coverage highlights variations in emphasis, tone, and depth of reporting. Assessing fairness and accuracy requires cross-referencing sources and evaluating their adherence to journalistic standards.

Reasons for Diverse Treatment and Perspectives: News outlets may have differing editorial agendas, target audiences, or ideological leanings, resulting in varied treatment and presentation of stories. Additionally, limited resources, time constraints, or specific news values can influence coverage decisions.

Conclusion

Journalism serves as a cornerstone of democracy, providing communities with vital information and fostering public engagement. Understanding the principles of freedom of the press, distinguishing fact from opinion, and adhering to ethical standards are essential for journalists. Furthermore, recognizing the differences between hard news and feature stories, and mastering key journalistic techniques, allows reporters to effectively communicate information. Analyzing multi-platform coverage of an event offers insights into editorial choices, journalistic standards, and the varying perspectives of news outlets. By upholding professional ethics and delivering accurate, fair, and diverse coverage, journalism continues to play a critical role in communities and democratic societies.

References

Dubey-Jhaveri, A. (2016). Construction of “Objectivity” in Hard News Reports: A Study of Stance-Strategies in Student-produced Crime News Texts (PhD Thesis). Hku-hk. https://www.academia.edu/8528377/Construction_of_Objectivity_in_Hard_News_Reports_A_Study_of_Stance_Strategies_in_Student_produced_Crime_News_Texts_PhD_Thesis_ 

Lee, C., Long, M., Slater, M. D., & Song, W. Y. (2014). Comparing Local TV News with National TV News in Cancer Coverage: An Exploratory Content Analysis. Journal of Health Communication, 19(12), 1330–1342. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2014.894598 

Wikipedia contributors. (2023). Freedom of the press. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_press