JMC 101

Definition 1: Journalism as a specific strand of media characterized by ethical, professional, and legal principles.
- Suggests challenges faced by journalism today.
- Objective: Unpacking the definition and exploring journalism's conventions and future opportunities.
Definition 2: Journalism as a profession, a means of earning income, and a process of creating engaging media.
- Involves timely reporting on current events (e.g., covering a car crash vs. addressing issues like drunk driving).

Multimedia Output: Encompasses various forms of media including print, radio, TV, and online formats.
Types of Content: Journalism covers events and issues significant to a wide audience.
General Definition: Journalism primarily revolves around news.

Audiences expect journalism to serve both public good and entertainment value, contrasting with general mass media goals.
Purpose of Journalism: To provide accurate, factual information that serves the public good.
Public Good Example: Peabody Awards for courageous reporting, such as the coverage of civilians' plight in Mariupol during the Ukraine invasion.

Mass Media Audiences: Often escape reality, enjoying fictional narratives (e.g., movies, fictional stories).
Journalism Audiences: Seek factual information, emphasizing evidence in reporting.
- Examples:
- Barbie movie as escapism vs. 538.com utilizing data for predictions.
- Definition of Empiricism: Basing stories on evidence, involving thorough investigation and unbiased reporting.

Mass Media Audiences: Frequently indifferent to the sources behind information.
Journalism Audiences: Prioritize transparent sourcing and reliability.
- Importance of citation in journalism to lend credibility (e.g., attributing statements to direct sources).
Example of Transparency: Quoting sources in context allows audiences to assess credibility.

Mass Media: Audiences crave novelty and creativity.
Journalism: Follows established conventions and language (e.g., AP Stylebook), maintaining consistency over decades.
Examples of Creativity in Mass Media: Films that revolutionize genre conventions (e.g., "The Blair Witch Project", "Complete Unknown").

Differences in Ethical Codes: Journalism possesses a more stringent ethical code through organizations like the Society of Professional Journalists.
Consequences of Ethical Breaches: Journalists face potential dismissal or disciplinary action for ethical violations.

Corporate Influence: Journalism is not solely for public good; corporate interests often shape editorial decisions (e.g., ownership influences from Jeff Bezos).
Opinion-based Programming: Audience consumption of opinion shows can skew perceptions of facts (e.g., 2020 election misinformation).
Diversity of Presentation: Many journalism outlets are evolving by incorporating non-traditional formats like games and podcasts (e.g., The New York Times purchasing Wordle).

Core Values: Fairness, Accuracy, Context, Truth (FACT).
Fairness Definition: Ability to assess each side of a situation responsibly; does not necessitate equal representation of all opinions.
- Case Study: KKK rally coverage vs. Martin Luther King Day (assessing the obligations of representation).
- Climate Change Reporting: Balancing academic consensus with public opinion in journalism.
Accuracy Definition: Ensuring factual correctness in all aspects of reporting, including names, dates, and statistics.
Context Definition: Providing background facts to enrich the story (e.g., ProPublica's approach to linking sources).
Truth Definition: Aiming for a comprehensive representation of the story’s reality; truth as the cumulative essence of fairness, accuracy, and context.

Journalism positions itself as a public good despite corporate constraints and complexities.
Recognizes the influence of outside factors on journalistic integrity and ethical considerations.
Reiterates the challenge to uphold high standards in service to truth, evidenced by consistent values and adherence to ethical guidelines.
Encourages reflection on the performance of journalism against its ideals and expectations in future assessments.
Suggested Essay Questions: Reflect on moments journalism has failed to meet its stated ideals. Evaluate how journalism's identity influences its operations and ethics.