Quizzes
Intro + pages 3-16
In the book, how do the authors say they will use the term "citizen"? What will it refer to?
A civic actor in our community
In the introduction, the authors say people are not abandoning the news but are abandoning
A traditional format of news
The authors say the purpose of journalism is defined as
the function news plays in the lives of people
The Awareness Instinct has to do with
People craving the news
In America, newspapers were first put out by
Politicians
Pages 17-41
According to the book, the idea of the press as gatekeeper no longer defines the role of the press in society.
True
One new role of the journalist is authenticator, helping news consumers know what information about an event or issue they should believe.
True
The authors of The Elements of Journalism believe the public and computers (machines) can displace the fact-finding role of journalists.
False
The authors believe one of the things journalists must do is try to focus on issues of common concern to one's audience that cut across demographics.
True
The theory of the interlocking public says journalists must work to get readers to agree with each other on most issues.
False
Chapter 2
According to the authors of the book, journalistic truth is a sorting-out process.
True
Accuracy in journalism is the foundation upon which everything else is built.
True
"Organized collaborative intelligence" got to the truth of Ian Tomlinson's death.
true
Fairness and balance can be substituted for the truth, according to the book's authors.
False
Journalists should rush to interpret the news.
False
Chapter 3
The book's authors say the effort to turn newsroom leaders into cost managers failed in part because if made it difficult for the leaders to advocate for the public interest.
True
Journalistic independence equals allegiance to citizens.
True
The book says loyalty to employers should come first for journalists; after that can come loyalty to citizens.
False
The scandal involving the Los Angeles Times and the STAPLES Center sports arena made readers question whether the Times was a profitable business.
False
One of the keys to independence of news organizations is allowing journalists to have the final say over news.
True
Pages 100-129
The objective method would allow journalists to rearrange events when telling a story so that the events do not occur when they did in real life. For example, a journalist could could include a siren at the beginning of a story even if the siren really didn't blare until halfway through the event the journalist is recounting.
false
The journalism of objective method would include this: Rely on your own original reporting.
True
The authors of The Elements of Journalism say the cultural homogeneity of American newsrooms undermines their obligation to tell the truth.
True
The original meaning of objectivity in journalism had to do with the idea that journalists were without bias.
false
Journalism of Verification includes talking to multiple eyewitnesses to an event.
True
Chapter 1: Roles Journalists Play and Criteria for Newsworthiness
Primary purpose of journalism is to provide citizens with the info they need to be free and self-governing
Types of news
Hard news
Stories that are timel, about events or conflicts that have just happened or are about to happen. need/ want them out quickly
Soft
News that entertains/ informs with emphasis on human interest and novelty
People, places, issues that are not timely
Roles (p18-20):
Authenticator
Verifier
Using contacts, clout, networking to get people to talk
Sense maker
Puts the facts into a context that makes sense to the public
Why did this happen, who was involved, why does this matter, how do we know this is true, what happens next?
Bear witness
Reporting what they can observe
Helps ground us in what is happening when it is not local
Watchdog
Acts as a watchdog on govt and anyone/thing that has power over the common people
Criteria for Newsworthiness
Timeliness
Getting things out fast but also making sure it’s accurate
Proximity
How close geographically a story is to audience
Wildfires in California is an example of exceptions
Prominence
Celebrity news > ordinary people for example
Careful about where lines of privacy lie
Impact
How many people does this affect and how seriously
Conflict
Between people, communities, on different scales
Novelty
Unusual, first/ last time it'll happen?
Engagement + solutions
Recently incorporated by journalists today
Will it get people involved in an issue
Are there expert solutions provided?
A story is not always enough but how can pple engage and solve problems
Who to talk to?
Factors in what story is being told, by who, and for who?
Who has the knowledge, who has the power, who is affected?
Chapter 2: Journalistic Truth as a Process
News should be the “best obtainable version of the truth” and the truth changes as a story unfolds
Process of truth telling
1st: initial details and what is known at the time
2nd:Adds new info, corrects mistakes, adds context
3rd: “
4th: “
Types of interviews
Pact between interviewer/wee to give information if tey are treated with respect and not take info out of context
Types of questions
Closed (good)
When did you graduate, how many people
Leading (bad)
Would lead them to either agree or disagree with the question, not allowing for an in-depth conversation
On the record
Reporter can use the info from interview and attribute it to the source by name
Most reputable/ accountable/ wanted as a source
Off the record
Reporter cannot use the info unelss they get it from a second source on the record, but can not attribute it to the first source
Like preliminary research that is verified by a second source
On background
The material can be used but cannot be attributed to a specific named source
Bias reading
Chapter 3: Journalism’s First Loyalty
First loyalty is to citizens
How to be loyal at all levels:
Owner of a news org must be committed to citizens first
Owner must hire BMs who also put citizens first
Journalists must have the final say over news
News orgs must set and communicate clear standards internally
So everyone knows citizens come first on every level
News orgs must communicate clear standards to the public as well
Chapter 4: Disciplines of Verification
The essence of journalism is the discipline of verification
Helps journalists be as objective as possible bc “completely unbias” isn’t attainable
Method of verification
Evidence
from knowledgeable and reliable sources
Empiricism
Idea that all learning fromes from direct experiences and observations
Verification
Process of establishing the truth, accuracy, and validity from a journalist
Transparency
How they know what they know/ their sources know
Principles of journalism (how to make stories objective, clear, and thorough)
Never add anything that wasn’t there
Never deceive the audience
Be as transparent as possible about methods and motives
Do your own original reporting
Exercise humility
Don’t say more than what you know to be true
Don’t assume without evidence
Social media use by journalists
Can be used to find story ideas
networking/contacting is easier and faster
Allows reporters to add interactive elements
Crowdsourcing information
Putting out feelers so a large number of audience members to report a story
General observations/ data
Breaking news
Asking consumers to crunch numebrs/ look over docs
Ask people to share personal experiences
Drawbacks
Misinformation
People can pretend to be whoever
Harassment of journalists is more frequent and accessible to others (especially marginalized communities
Tension between getting it right and getting it first since publishing can happen in an instant
Challenges of new technology
AI can help organize but also can’t replace human writers
Process of creating a news story
Come up with a story idea
Consult with the editor
Interview and research
3 main sources journalists look for
People who have the knowledge
People who have the power to change things in connection with the news story
Those who are affected by what’s happening
Verify
Checking sources
Politifact
Poynter
Other news sources
Witnesses
Interviews
Associated press
Police + fire dept transmissions
Social media
Govt reports
Trusted relations
Write the story
Story goes to editor to be reviewed and approved
Filter bubbles
A situation in which an internet user encounters only info and opinions that conform to and reinforce their own beliefs caused by algorithm that personalize an individuals online experience
Essentially a confirmation bias of technology catered towards your interactions online
Codes of ethics
Main pillars
Seek truth and report it
Minimize harm
Acti independently
Be accountable and transparent