We hunt it, gather it and consume it. We have a deep-seated urge to tell others about it.
In today's 24/7 rolling news cycle, reporting is instantaneous with stories published online, on mobile devices and broadcast as they happen. This book is a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of journalism and covers the skills required by contemporary journalists to adapt and thrive in a constantly evolving media landscape.
News as it Happens provides a strong foundation to help you throughout your journalism studies, with information on how to:
- find the people and information you need
- write quickly and effectively for radio, television, print, online and mobile devices
- take your own photographs and shoot video
- understand the basics of media law
- develop a strong sense of ethics.
PART 1: THE HISTORY AND THEORY OF JOURNALISM 1. The History of JournalismJournalism, history and democracy go hand in handJournalists and historians seek truthNewspapers come and goNo guarantee of free speech in AustraliaNew technologies fuel advances in journalism2. The Methodology of JournalismSeeking truth and reporting itDifferences between reactive and proactive journalismJournalism, history and lawThe methodology of journalism definedPART 2: WHAT IS NEWS?3. News ValuesDefinitions of newsEight functions of journalismThe 'big six' news valuesValues often meld into each otherKipling's 'six honest serving men'The inverted pyramidReactive and proactive newsJournalists must distinguish between news, comment and opinionSmoke, mirrors and frightened rabbitsThieves and copycats4. Journalism EthicsSociety needs news but is ambivalentabout journalistsPragmatic reasons to be ethicalRogue journalists threaten media freedomCodes of ethics and codes of practiceMEAA Journalists' Code of EthicsIndustry codesChequebook journalismJournalistic integrity5. The Newsroom and Tips for Finding StoriesThe chain of commandNewsroom presentation and etiquetteTips for finding stories6. Dealing with Spin and Difficult SituationsSpinning webs of intrigueBe extra careful if covering protests and riotsReporting on death and tragedyAcknowledge your own feelingsMaking mistakes7. Journalism ResearchEnsure basic details are correctTraditional approaches to researchHow not to conduct researchBeware of online and social media trapsComputer- assisted researchBe sure to verify online informationNewspaper archivesSearching the webGovernment websitesGovernment and corporate informationBe careful of social networking sites and blogsEmail and text messagingThe magic of crunching your own numbersPART 3: NEWS WRITING8. InterviewingIt is your job to convince people to talkBreaking the ice as a studentThe importance of background researchPreparing for arranged interviewsStart with the basicsBeware of liars, fantasists and clownsTelephone and online interviewsEmail interviews and SMS discussionsCategories of interview questionsWhere to conduct interviewsThe art of good listeningSecrets of a pregnant pauseClosing an interviewBe careful of commitments to sources9. Writing News for PrintBuild your relationship with wordsJournalistic writing styleCommon mistakesSentences and paragraphsIntroducing and quoting sourcesPrepare to start writing the storyThe inverted pyramid and effective introsDifferent news writing models10. Writing Broadcast NewsChallenges of a changing media landscapeThe critical importance of voiceWriting radio newsRadio news styleTelevision newsWriting television newsTelevision news style11. Writing News for Online and Portable DevicesQuality the key to online successWriting news for online and mobile devicesThe inverted pyramid an ideal modelGeographic pointers are essentialCultural, ethnic and language differencesThe inverted pyramid: online versionOnline headings and introsHyperlinks should add value and interestOnline mistakesPART 4: OTHER FORMS OF JOURNALISM12. Feature WritingFeature writing and news valuesPersonal traits of effective feature writersDifferent categories of featuresResearching for featuresWriting featuresFeature introductions and introsStructuring a feature13. Investigative JournalismClassic examples of investigative storiesLeaders in the fieldSetting agendas over timeHow to investigate'Freedom' of access to government records (FoI)Issues that work against investigationsQualities of investigative journalists14. PhotojournalismA brief history of news photographyDigital photojournalismThree types of news photoThe mechanics of creating good photosWorking with photographersCaption writingPART 5: JOURNALISM LAW15. How We Are GovernedThe Commonwealth ConstitutionAustralia's three tiers of governmentHow legislation is madeVoting in a parliamentWho's who in a parliament?Parliamentary privilegeThe separation of powersTwo sources of lawThe court hierarchyJournalists and the fourth estate16. DefamationDefamation definedLibel and slanderDefamation is a tortWho can sue?Time limits and penaltiesStress and chilling effectsState of mind is irrelevantOnline defamationDefamation defencesCriminal defamationHow to minimise defamation risks17. ContemptContempt of courtContempt in the face of a courtScandalising a courtSub judice contemptRestrictions on court reportingContempt of parliamentContempt of commissions, inquiries and other related offencesSpent convictions18. Other Legal PerilsTrespass and nuisanceBreach of confidenceHidden cameras and voice recordersPrivacyStalkingBlasphemyObscenityCensorshipData retentionDiscrimination and vilificationSeditionIntellectual property, copyright and plagiarismPART 6: NEWS ROUNDS19. Courts, Crime, Councils and SportsWorking your way into a new roundKeep your round in perspectiveTread carefully with sources and think outside the squareCourt reportingCrime reportingCouncil reportingSport reportingEpilogueAppendix 1: Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance Journalists' Code of EthicsAppendix 2: Australian Press Council General Statement of PrinciplesAppendix 3: Links to Industry Codes of Practice and Complaints-handling OrganisationsGlossary of journalism termsGlossary of online termsRecommended reading
