Quiz

Link to the 5th_week_quiz

Topic: Journalism

Basic Concepts:

Journalism is the only media enterprise that democracy absolutely requires.

• The only media practice and business specifically mentioned and protected by US Constitution

• What is news? Information is not necessarily news

  • Process of gathering and verifying information then reporting

  • Helps the public make sense of prominent people, important events, political issues, cultural trends, unusual happenings so citizens can self-govern

Democratic Process

• Need for informed citizens so they can govern themselves wisely in a free and open society

• “Watch dog on the government” role

• Protecting the 1st Amendment by providing a public forum: a place where people can participate in the “marketplace of ideas”

Values in American Journalism

1. Transparency

• Being open in sharing information and the reporting process

• Not misrepresenting opinion pieces as factual reporting

2. Neutrality

• Belief that journalists should be observers who present facts without passing judgment on them

  • “Detached” writing style, using 3rd person in news stories

  • Attribution of sources

  • Goal: to report objectively although no report is completely objective because it must be constructed

From the Reading Material: Elements of Journalism

• First Obligation is to the Truth

• First Loyalty is to Citizens

• Discipline of verification

• Independence from those they cover

• Independent monitor of power

• Forum for public criticism & compromise

• Storytelling with a purpose

• Comprehensive and proportional (don't over-cover or under-cover an issue)

• Exercise personal conscience (don't do something unethical)

• Citizens’ rights and responsibilities