Journalism Notes

Introduction to Journalism

Objectives

  • Define journalism in general.

  • Explain the different types of journalism.

  • Cite significant information (events, dates, personalities) in the history of journalism.

What is Journalism?

  • The term "journalism" originates from the Latin word diurnal, meaning "every day."

  • Journalism involves the transmission of everyday information through sounds, images, and words.

Accessing Journalism

Journalism can be accessed via:

  • Newspapers

  • Television

  • Magazines

  • Radio

Functions of Journalism

  1. Inform the public through news coverage.

  2. Influence and mold public opinion.

  3. Amuse or entertain the public.

  4. Serve and promote community welfare.

Types of Journalism

Adversarial Journalism

  • Acts as a "watchdog" focusing on the three branches of government: Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary.

Developmental Journalism

  • Aims at promoting the social, economic, and political development of the country.

  • Sometimes called "subservience of journalism" because journalists support government efforts to improve the quality of life.

Objective Journalism

  • Reports events by sticking to the facts.

  • Answers the questions: who, what, where, when, why, and how.

Interpretative Journalism

  • Journalists attempt to explain the significance of events.

  • Expounds on the why-and-how of events.

Early School Journalism

  • According to Jesus Valenzuela in History of Journalism in the Philippine Islands (1933) and John Lent in Philippine Mass Communication (1964), campus journalism in the Philippines started with "El Liliputiense" published by the University of Santo Tomas in 1890.

  • Oscar Manalo, Narciso Matienzo, and Virgilio Monteloyola in Ang Pamahayagan (1985) argued that it began with "The College Folio" (now "The Philippine Collegian") by the University of the Philippines in 1910.

  • They added that "The Torch" of the Philippine Normal University, "The Guidon" of Ateneo de Manila University, and "The Varsitarian" of the University of Santo Tomas were published two years later.

  • Carlos Romulo y Peña edited "The Coconut", the official student publication of Manila High School (now Araullo High School), published in 1912, considered the first and oldest high school newspaper in the country.

  • Before 1900, the principle was "where there is a student body, there is a need for a news organ".

  • School publications were dotted accounts with little significance other than marking the birth of the publication.

  • In 1920, the literary essay gave way to the feature story.

  • Poetry was replaced by columns.

  • Stories suggested interpretation, and editorials entered the paper.

Definition of Campus Journalism

  • Campus journalism is defined as the enjoyable activity of the staff of the campus paper in collecting, organizing, and presenting news, writing editorials, columns, features, and proofreading, dummying, and writing headlines.

School Journalism Today

  • Student journalism responds to student ingenuity and changing times.

  • The present period is exceptionally active with significant trends.

  • School papers' sphere of news coverage has noticeably broadened.

Functions of Campus Journalism

Aid to School

  1. Educate the community as to the work of the school.

  2. Publish school and community news.

  3. Create and express school opinions.

  4. Make known the achievements of the school to the community.

Scope of Campus Journalism

Journalism covers three channels or areas of mass communication:

  1. Audio

  2. Audio-visual

  3. Print