JOUR 1330 FINAL young

What is"cute white blond girl effect"?

It is the tendency of news media to saturate coverage of any news event involving a cute white blond girl.

What is the Nonbias rule?

"Would my wording be the same if my subject were an affluent white man?"

What is people-first language?

Someone is a person with a disability, not a disabled person. Put the person first. They are people first.

Wrong: Jim is a diabetic.

Right: Jim has diabetes.

Wrong: An asthmatic boy.

Right: The boy has asthma

What is the High Five method

The High Five is one method of story organization. Another common method is the inverted pyramid.

A distinct advantage of the High Five is it is a reporting AND writing strategy.

If the High Five questions are answered, the reporter is ready to write the story.

The High Five elements go in the top five paragraphs of a story, hence the name.

News (high five)

What happened? Who did something? What is new?

Tell a friend.

The news should be the first, or lead (lede) paragraph. It does not have to include date, time, place, etc., but it should include who did what.

Creative writers may use an attention-getting method in the first graf, but the news should occur no later than the second graf.

Once the news is reported, the other elements may be in any order.

Impact (high five)

Why should I care? Who is affected? How?

Sometimes the impact can be shown through the use of an effective quote.

Don't lead with a quote as the news because the quote has no context for readers

Context (high five)

What's the history here? What happened to lead up to the news in the preceding years, months, days, minutes?

Scope (high five)

How many are affected? To what degree? Does the news have local, national, international impact?

Edge (high five)

What's next? Where does the news go from here?

The rest of the story...

The High Five is a news digest to condense the most important information into the top of the story.

If the reader must walk away after the first five grafs, the basic gist of the story will be known.

The rest of the story picks up threads of the High Five and develops them further.

How to end a story

Just end it. Don't feel compelled to write a conclusion. News stories are not term papers.

If the basic questions have been answered, stop.

Use a quote or statistic that has impact.

Go back to the beginning and close the loop.

If the story has an obvious ending, use that.

Impact (news values)

So what? Why should we care?

If a story is important, then the reporting and writing should show the impact and make the audience care.

Proximity (news values)

Closer equals more newsworthy.

Localize: Always search for local impact on national and international stories.

Timeliness (news values)

Report the latest events or the latest developments.

Reporters can't skip a day waiting for better stories; they must do the best with what they have each day.

Prominence (news values)

Names make news.

Readers are curious about prominent people.

Conflict (news values)

Where there's conflict, there's news. People fight about issues they care about. Those are the issues you want to explore.

The conflict itself is not necessarily newsworthy.

Novelty (news values)

The unusual makes news.

How is this event different, unusual, bizarre?

(broadcast writing) write out numbers

one through nine, elelven

(broadcast writing) actual numbers for

10, 12 through 999

(broadcast writing) write out

DOLLARS, THOUSANDS, MILLIONS, BILLIONS AS WORDS (all caps)

122-THOUSAND-DOLLARS

10-POINT-FIVE-MILLION-DOLLARS

(broadcast writing) round off numbers

NEARLY 28-MILLION-DOLLARS

(broadcast writing) write out years numerically

20-14

(broadcast writing) ages when used are before names

33-YEAR-OLD JOHN DOE

(broadcast writing) don't use symbols or abbreviations

50-PERCENT not 50%

25-FEET not 25'

HALF-INCH not 1/2'

(broadcast writing) write out states in all caps

WEST VIRGINIA not WV

(broadcast writing) avoid Mr. Mrs. Ms.

unless in a direct quote

common exception is DR.

(broadcast writing) write out abbreviations as they are spoken

N-C-DOUBBLE-A not NCAA

O-S-U not OSU

(broadcast writing) if acronyms are spoken as a single word, use them that way

OPEC, MADD FBI CIA no periods in between letters

(broadcast writing) leave out middle initials unless person is prominent

JOHN DOE not JOHN F. DOE

MICHEAL J. FOX not MICHEAL FOX

(broadcast writing) use full name in first reference

but use last name in other references

(broadcast writing) use pronouncers if names are hard to say

(BALL-KOH) not BOLCKOW

place parentheses in script

never assume people know how to say an unfamiliar name

(broadcast writing) other style rules...

Don't split words at the end of sentences

Don't use quotation marks in copy

Always check spelling

(online media writing) three ways of collecting information

Hunting, browsing, grazing

(online media writing) hunting

looking up something. A person wants information about a topic and conducts a search for it.

(online media writing) browsing

searching without a specific end. It is what you do when you scan a newspaper or magazine, change channels on television or "surf" the Internet.

(online media writing) grazing

most passive of the three. Example: TV viewer who turns on the set and leaves it on the same channel the rest of the evening.

(online media writing) multimedia packaging

What is the narrative? Choose the tool that will best tell that part of the story.

(online media writing) text

Synthesize major components of story into one item: e.g. background, quotes, facts

Links: Don't reinvent the wheel. Let links to other material supplement the story.

(online media writing) Photos

Show a moment in time. Impact is potentially greater, depending on the subject, than moving pictures. Photo stories can show movement in more compact form than video when presented in a slide show.

Photos also show a perspective different from moving pictures. Nuances are more visible.

Is the focus on the subject or the movement?

(online media writing) Video

Shows progression in linear form. Event unfolds in "real" time. The eye is key. Good images are most important.

Must contain movement. Otherwise, use still photos.

(online media writing) audio

Provides all the impact of video without visuals. Relies on spoken word, ambient sound to carry the story.

Smaller file size makes it easier to work with.

(online media writing) graphics

Show story visually WITHOUT words. Can tell story BEYOND words through supplemental text.

They can be charts, maps, logos, drawings, cartoons, photo illustrations, concept maps.

Effective use can mean shorter stories.

(online media writing) Interactive devices

Allow consumers to be involved in news product: e.g. polls, online comments, email, wiki, consumer submissions

Concerns: accuracy, ethics, hostile takeover

(online media writing) Online comments

if allowed, CANNOT be edited. They are all or nothing. Editing violates free speech guarantees.

If disclaimer is posted to website, comments can be removed.

(online media writing) new media

Advantages: Allow consumer submissions; allow reporters and consumers faster access to information. Beneficial in breaking news.

Disadvantage: Temptation to shortcut professional newsgathering standards.

(online media writing) Facebook

Instant access to information about people and photos.

Avoid relying solely on Facebook profiles or tweets. Better use is to confirm if it's the ONLY way to confirm.

Ask before taking photos.

(online media writing) Twitter/texting

Best use is as a supplemental source, not the ONLY source.

Remember: Perspective is from one person on the ground, closest to the action.

Name source and qualify the content.

(online media writing) blogs

Time restraints and limits on story length can make blogs an excellent "between-the-lines" tool for telling readers more about the story.

Is the use for reporting or opining?

Make sure reporter and supervisor understand and respect the defined role of the blog.

(online media writing) Pitfall

Reporters who use social media in reporting MUST be cognizant of their roles as reporters versus their roles as private citizens.

Maintain separate profiles or separate Twitter accounts.

What goes online is there forever — for anyone to find and distribute for whatever reason.

(online media writing) bottom line

New media sources are tools in a reporter's toolbox. They do not substitute for good reporting.

The same professional standards apply for them as for other tools.

(PR writing) PR writing

PR practitioners must be able to communicate information about their organizations to targeted audiences.

Identify audience

Determine the best methods to communicate with audiences

Plan and carry out communication strategy.

Evaluate and modify strategy.

Writing is crucial at each stage.

(PR writing) PR writing tips

Meet deadlines.

Interest editors in the story by focusing on the news and writing it like a news story.

Adopt the different writing styles and tones required for the media outlet.

Be clear.

Be concise.

Be interesting.

Be accurate.

(PR writing) what is the first and most important job when you write and distribute a news release?

Analyze your audience

(PR writing) in general when is it best to release news?

When it happens

(PR writing) where should your messag go in a news release?

In the lead

(PR writing) What determines whether you use informational or persuasive writing?

your public

(PR writing) Grammatical errors will detract from your news release's what?

meaning and credibility

(PR writing) If you do have a choice when to release news, when should you do so?

early in the week, about 10 a.m.

(PR writing) Presenting materials in a straightforward, factual manner by listing the organization's history, services, address and telephone number is?

informational writing

(PR writing) clearly pitching a particular viewpoint is?

persuasive writing

(PR writing) A public relations professional should adopt the different writing styles and tones required for the media outlet.

true

(PR writing) Contacts and their phone numbers should be listed in the news release. Besides being reachable, contacts should be what?

Valid

(Advertising writing) what is the purpose of any advertisement

To appeal to the needs or interest of a specific audience

(Advertising writing) Steps in creating an effective ad

Know the target audience's characteristics.

Choose the best channel to reach that audience.

Draft a message designed for that audience and channel.

(Advertising writing) knowing the target audience- demographic information

describes people in terms of their

age,

gender,

education,

income,

occupation,

marital status.

(Advertising writing) knowing the target audience- Psychographic information

identifies lifestyles, attitudes and values.

(Advertising writing) three tips

1. Touch on selling points.

Give concrete reasons to buy.

2. Sell the benefits.

Intangible benefits such as mood or feeling.

3. Identify the single greatest benefit to your target audience and feature it.

Create a headline or slogan that will communicate this benefit to your intended audience.

(Advertising writing) reversal approach

"All great ads employ reversal: Something significant has been put in, left out, inverted, photographed oddly, colored wrong, talked about differently, or in some way had violence done to its ordinariness. Otherwise, if our preconceptions have been fulfilled instead of violated, we'll be looking at cliches."

Reversal allows the copywriter to capitalize on negatives or liabilities.

(Advertising writing) A highly-involved audience is influenced by what type of ad?

Information rich

(Journalism ethics) Aristotle's mean ethical principle

"Moral virtue is a middle state determined by practical wisdom."

In journalism, the extremes are doing nothing and exposing everything. Finding the mean is when you negotiate between the legitimate claims of two legally appropriate entities.

The mean is the right quantity at the right time toward the right people for the right reason and in the right manner.

(Journalism ethics) Kant's Categorical Imperative ethical principle

"Act on that maxim which you will to become a universal law."

In journalism, deception to get a good story, no matter what the aim, is inexcusable. Kant implies that what is right for one is right for all.

Examine the underlying principle for your decision, and see if you want it applied universally.

(Journalism ethics) Mill's principle of Utility ethical principle

"Seek the greatest happiness for the greatest number."

In journalism, the Hillary Clinton email controversy did not yield pleasure for many of the people involved, except maybe for Clinton's enemies.

It suggests that you first calculate the possible consequences of performing the actions available to you. Include yourself in the calculations. Choose the option that maximizes value or minimizes loss.

(Journalism ethics) Rawls' Veil of Ignorance ethical principle

"Justice emerges when negotiating without social differentiations."

In journalism, a business reporter should disregard any preconceived notions about a company to fairly cover that company.

It suggests that all parties step back from real circumstances into an "original position" behind a barrier where roles and social differentiations are gone.

(Journalism ethics) Judeo-Christian Persons as Ends ethical principle

"Love your neighbor as yourself."

In journalism, editors would not publish the name of a rape complainant because they would not want their own names published.

Human beings have unconditional value apart from shifting circumstances. It is humankind's duty to love others without considering anything else.

(Journalism ethics) Five moral duties

Duty to ourselves.

Duty to clients, subscribers or supporters.

Duty to our organization or firm.

Duty to professional colleagues.

Duty to society.

(Journalism ethics) The Potter Box

Situation (start here) Loyalties

Values Principle

(Plagiarism) A student finds a backpack in Baker Center. Nothing in the backpack identifies the owner. The student finds a term paper that matches an assignment he is doing for one of his classes. He retypes the paper and submits it with his name on it. Is this plagiarism?

Yes

(Plagiarism) A reporter covering a story about the economy reads a related article in the Wall Street Journal. The reporter uses information from six paragraphs in the story and attributes the information for all but one paragraph to the Wall Street Journal reporter. Is this plagiarism?

Yes

(Plagiarism) A staff writer for a magazine reviews her notes and uses a quote from one of her sources in the story and attributes the information to the source. However, she does not put quotation marks around the direct quote. Is this plagiarism?

Yes

(Plagiarism) A blogger interviews two coaches and two players from the local high school football team. While writing the story, he can't remember which coach gave him a quote he wants to use in the story. He attributes the quote to the head coach because it sounds like something the head coach would say even though his notes suggest the assistant coach said it. Is this plagiarism?

Yes

(Plagiarism) A student journalist working on deadline finds information important to the story at a government website. Knowing that such information is considered a public record, the student uses the information without attributing it to the website. Is this plagiarism?

Yes

(Plagiarism) An editor reviewing a story about city budget cuts notices similarities between it and an earlier story written by another reporter at the same newspaper. She reads the earlier story and notices that a few words in one paragraph were changed. Because both reporters work for the same newspaper, she sends the story as is for publication. Is this plagiarism?

Yes

(Plagiarism) A student in a political science class consults an online source for information for a research paper. The student finds lots of good information from one source. In fact, 60 percent of the paper's content comes from that source. The student is careful, however, to attribute each instance in which he quotes the source. Is this plagiarism?

Yes

(Plagiarism) A student in an economics class uses 10 sources to write a research paper. Rather than clutter the paper with footnotes, he compiles a complete list of all sources used and publishes it in the paper's bibliography. Is this plagiarism?

Yes

(plagiarism) Plagiarism is the same thing as what?

Theft, fraud, lying

(Plagiarism) Top two reasons to attribute

1. It's the ethical thing to do.

2. It's also for your protection. If the information appears to come from you and it's wrong, you bear the brunt. Proper attribution makes the quoted information and the source of it stand on their own merits.

(Reporting and law) Elements of libel

Publication

Identification

Defamation

Falsity

Fault, with negligence or reckless disregard of the truth

Harm

(Reporting and law) defenses to libel

Truth

Privilege

Fair comment and criticism

Actual malice

Right of reply

(Reporting and law) types of invasions of privacy

Intrusion, which is the physical act of trespass

Portraying someone in a "false light"

Publication of private facts; can be true but offensive.

Appropriation

(Reporting and law) protecting sources and notes

Congress is considering a federal shield law for reporters, which would offer some protection to them being forced to testify in court and/or to reveal sources.

More than half of American states have shield laws to provide that protection for reporters' sources and notes. Ohio's law covers traditional media.

Generally, the legal burden courts have established is the information cannot be obtained any other way and it is vital to the case.

(Reporting and law) Access to courts

Ohio is a Tier 2 state, which means it restricts coverage for cases such as sexual offenses and upon witness objections.

Rule to remember: The judge is the final authority on news media access to his court. Arrange broadcast coverage in advance with the judge.

(Reporting and law) Open record/ open meetings

The courts have interpreted the First Amendment to include a right of access to the government.

This access has been codified in federal and state open meetings and open records laws, which are also referred to as Sunshine laws.

(Reporting and law) Young's rule of thumb

Once you have consulted the law, assume the access you are seeking is open. Put the burden on the government agency to tell you why it is not.

In a meeting, protest the reason for closure.

Concerning a record, ask why it is not available. File a FOIA request.