ft. Carmel College of San Francisco, Ine. (Formerly Father Urios High School) Brgy. 3, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur E-mail: meesf.registrarsoffice@gmail.com MODULE No. 1 CAMPUS JOURNALISM Week 1-2 LESSON NO. LESSON TITLES Foundational Concepts on Journalism. DURATION/HOURS | 6 HOURS Specific Learning | At the end of the lesson, you should be able to: Outcomes: .. Identify the tenets of journalism .. Name the functions and duties of the press . Compare and contrast journalism and literature . Explain freedom of the press . Critic the strengths and weaknesses of select articles eance Enabling Activity Below is a spider web with the word “Journalism” in the middle. Write as many words you can relate to it, Make sure to include 1-2 sentences to explain why you think your words are related or connected to a professional teacher. 1[PageDISCUSSION Nature of Journa Before getting into the skills of writing journalistic articles, anyone must have a fixed understanding of the scope of modem day journalism. Huge as it is, joumalism is everywhere, just as media takes an integral part in all of our lives. Where there is lk mecia, journalism exists. AS afield that is worth working, journalism is one of the most prestigious careers one can get today. The tools of communication and technology are television, the printed media and radio. The internet is a more recent addition to this lst. Many students are getting attracted to this field nowadays because a career in journalism can be challenging as well as highly rewarding. Journalism is concemed, primarily, with the collection and dissemination of news through the print media as well as the electronic media (http:|/entrance-exammeilscope-of joumalism). This involves various areas of work like reporting, writing, editing, photographing, broadcasting or cable casting news items. It covers the printed media that comes in the form of broadsheets, tabloids, newsletters and magazines. As regards its etymology, journalism comes from the Latin word, diumal, which means daily. That is why there is the word journal — a daily register of one's activities. Hence, journalism is a communication of day-to-day information, whether through sounds, pictures and words. Few places where journalism may appear include newspapers, magazines, televisions, radios and the internet. Newspapers are the oldest and most traditional format for the inclusion of journalism. They are regularly scheduled publications containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. Indeed, newspapers originally stated life as journals’ from which the word journalism’ is derived. During the 19th century, American journalists relied on sensational stories that were used to excite or anger the public, rather than to inform them. This form of journalism became known as ‘yellow’ journalism, Accurate and fact- based reporting became popular again around the time of World War I, when the restrained style of wrting gained resurgence. Newspapers played a large role in the development of freedom of expression. Inside sources with the ability to ‘leak’ stories to the press often choose newspapers first over any other medium due to the perceived wiingness of their editors to expose corruption and lies among othenwise respected institutions. Magazines, on the other hand, are publications containing @ variety of articles that are generally published on a regular schedule, whether it be weekly, monthly or quarterly. They usually take a much more relaxed format than newspapers, with a more informal style to their writing. They are also usually focused on a particular subject or area of interest, whereas newspaper articles can cover almost any topic. First published in 1731 in London, The Gentleman's Magazine is considered the first general-interest magazine. Ils editor, Edward Cave (who wrote under the pseudonym “Sylvanus Urban’), was one of the very firsts to use the term ‘magazine’ Television news journalism, including radio, is known as news broadcasting and is produced locally in a newsroom or by a broadcast network. It sometimes also includes such additional material as sports coverage, weather forecasts, traffic reports, commentary, and other material that the broadcaster considers relevant tothe intended audience. Most major television channels offer regular news broadcasts throughout the day. 2|PageInternet communications have excelled in the last decade or so of course, taking the way news is published with it. There are now uncountable of reputable and not-so-reputable sources of information on the intemet. Everything from digitized versions ofthe very newspapers that headed up the fist print media movements hundreds of years ago, to independent bloggers reporting their own stories from the comfort of their own laptops. Because of this, opinions are much easier to come by, and users can seek out the same story from multiple sources to get more of a balanced view more than they ever could in the past. These make the scope of journalism to be very broad indeed, as almost every form of media these days can be used as an expression of opinion or conduit of information, Eteicok emer ‘Aljournalistic ventures are grounded on facts, on truth and on actuality. Redundant as it may, facts are the foundation ofall the ambits of journalism. Journalism and literature are both forms of writing, consumed by the public and have relative style They may be guided by set rules. Literature is based on the wandering imagination of a writer. It is categorized into prose and poetry. Journalism, on the other hand, has main genres that include news, editorial and features. Joumalistic genres follow the strict method of dividing ideas through paragraphs while literature has a variety of forms and styles. For instance, Jonas, a writer, wishes to come up with a story about ghosts. He now starts imagining the appearance of the ghosts and creates a plot which includes the conflict, the climax and the resolution ofthe conflict. Jonas is writing a literary piece. Maria, on the other hand, also writes about ghosts. However, before she starts writing about them, she interviews persons who have allegedly seen them. The appearance of ghosts, including the persons! beliefs about them, is written into an entertaining way. Hence, the output is packed with facts In this case, Jonas writes a literature, a short story in particular while Marla does a feature story, a journalistic article. Jonas writes based on his imagination while Marta writes based on facts. Going into the road of journalism entaiis not only knowledge but also responsibilities. Hence, their journalists are bound by strict guidelines. Journalists have rights, but they must bear on shoulders the duties to serve the interest ofthe publi 4. Responsibility. Journalists should always be aware of their obligations to their readers to write the truth whatever it costs. For this reason, journalists must be brave enough to defend facts and the truth behind the news, In this sense, the journalists’ main responsibilty is to be the transmitter of veracity in any issue, and that they are liable not to the company but to the public. 2, Freedom of the Press, As a basic right, freedom of the press should be safeguarded by the people of media. n this case, any topic under the sweltering heat of the sun may be written s0 long as there is no infraction to the existing laws of the land. 3|Page3. Independence. Putting forward the life of one or two persons by slashing the welfare of the general public is a clear violation of this tenet. It, therefore, means that the services of a journalist should be committed to the interest of the general public and not driven by the interest of money called "envelopmental journalism." 4, Objectivity, Truthfulness and Accuracy. Checking the veracity of data and information before they are published is an example of being accurate and truthful. Since facts are the solid foundation of journalism, media men should not therefore conceal the truth by fabricating facts and by publishing misquoted statements and erroneous statistics. Objectivity, on the other hand, is simply avoiding conficts of interest on the treatment of the articles and on the way arguments and news are written. Partisan news and biased interviews violate the ideals of joumalism:; ergo, a journalist should know the difference between news and opinion, Readers and journalists alike, believe that newspapers should be objective. Thus, reporters receive training from those who know joumalisic rules, and leam to resolve whatever conflict they may have. 5, Fairness. The whole point in advocating objectivity isto be fair in presenting information in any journalistic field. Remember, the public will see the topic according to the way journalists present it; hence, reporters should exercise telling the truth and putting information in the right perspective. In this vein, journalists should always present both sides of the coin, both sides of the argument, both sides of controversial issues. They should set both avenues for the opposing parties to ventilate their arguments and points of clarification. With this in mind, journalists, too, must respect the privacy of individuals, unless, there is a warrant of a public right. In case there is a mistake, true journalists should rectify the said error, thus the errata in newspapers. There are worthy concepts that novice journalists must be wary about. Concepts that kill balanced reporting must be avoided 1. Yellow Journalism. This is simply sensationalizing a story or an issue. It is a type of journalism that presents litle or no legitimate well-researched news and instead uses eye- catching headlines to sell more newspapers. Techniques may include exaggerations of news events, scandal-mongering or sensationalism. Most showbiz stories are grounded on this type of journalism which appeals to the curiosity ofthe readers and viewers, 2, New Journalism, The new joumalists expanded the definition of journalism and of legitimate journalistic reporting and writing techniques. They also associated journalism with fiction when they described their work with phrases such as "nonfiction novel” and "narrative techniques of fiction.” In so doing, they ignited a debate over how much like a novel or short story a journalistic piece could be before it began violating jounalism's commitment to truth and facts 4|PageThis approach represents a retum to the roots of social reporting which was used in Charles Dickens’ ition 3. Advocacy Journalism. This is a genre of journalism that, unlike propaganda, is fact-based but supports ‘a specific point of view on an issue. Advocacy journalists are expected to focus on stories dealing with corporate business practices, govemiment polices, political corruption and social issues. Arguably, advocacy journalists serve the public interest in a way similar to muckrakers or whistle blowers. Most advocacy journalists reject the supposed abjectvity of the mainstream press a8 a practical impossibility, and some others take the position that the ‘economic censorship exerted by corporate sponsors is no different from politcal censorship. 4, Stylistic Journalism. It emphasizes imaginative, stylized writing of stories and considers newspapers as “the literature of immediate fact." 5. Editorializing. This is giving the reporter's opinion rather than the fact. It may also mean the ‘expanding of news about an insignificant happening to give publicity to a subject. Hr ey If you have fully made up your mind to go into the path of journalism and the media, you have to be acquainted with your vast roles and primordial functions, 1. The quality of the newspaper must be reflected in the editorial policy. It is more than just a business because it also reflects and influences the lfe of the whole academic community Newspapers must have integrity and readers’ confidence. Newspapers may educate, stimulate, assist or entertain. Itis therefore a moral responsibilty to balance public interest and the gains 4. The fundamental quality of the newspaper rests on the quality of the content and the kind of editorial product. It is responsible for the rise ofthe readers’ educational level and resurgence of an articulate, active young generation. 5, Freedom of the press encompasses responsibiliy of the newspapers. Freedom of the press and responsibilty are inseparable. Responsibility of the press means truth in the news — truth tempered with mercy, decency and humility. 6. The press must practice the principles of journalism without bias and selt-nterest 2 3 een Pultzer prize winning author David Broeder (USA Today, Aug. 12, 1987) as cited by Pangilinan (2012), averred that reports are flawed, Hence, reports are not that complete and may bear mistakes. The limitations of the press may be traced upon the timeframe within which an article should be submitted for publication. Remember that journalism secures the freshness of the information. Therefore, when a journalist is in a hurry to beat the deadline, he may not have enough time to reach all the sources of information. Subsequently, reporters will be unable to present the story in as many perspectives as a journalist should showcase, 5|PageThis implies that readers or the information-consuming public should judge very critically the articles, the reports, including the photos. Readers should know how to ask questions that are left unanswered, in the same manner when journalists dig for facts and additional information, Another limitation of the press is its proneness to be manipulated by the power politicians. Broeder (1987) as cited by Pangilinan (2012) pointed *...every good politic work well with the press. If you live in a country where public opinion ultimately decides public policy any politician who is at al serious is going to try to manage public opinion, and that means working with the press. So they all do it” ASSESSMENT Instruction: Do the given task below. Make sure to follow the instructions given properly. Your output wil be graded based on the rubrics (refer tothe ‘Graphic Organizer Rubric’). Using a Venn diagram, compare and contrast the nature of journalism from the scope of literature. ESSAY. Argue in not more than 200 words but not less than 150 words whether the freedom to write is an absolute freedom. Cite concrete instances, if possible. 6|PageGRAPHIC ORGANIZER RUBRIC Criteria Exemplary ‘Above Average | Adequate Tnadequate (Far exceeds, 1 (Exceeds standard, | (Meets standard, 6 | (Below standard, 3 points) 8 points) points) points) ‘Organization Extremely well Organized. Structure | Somewhat organized | Poorly organized. A organized. Order | allows reader to structure allows, clear sense of structure of move through reader to move direction is not information is content without through some of the | evident. Flow is ‘compelling and confusion. Flows | content without frequently flows smoothly smoothly confusion. Flow is | interrupted. sometimes interrupted Content Thorough and Complete Shows some Shows incomplete insightful understanding of | understanding of | understanding understanding content content of material ‘of content Creativity Enthusiastically uses | Use of materials and | Shows some use of | Shows minimal materials and ideas for materials and effort for ideas for enhancement ideas enhancement of ‘enhancement ‘materials and ideas Treas Tnsightful and well Tdeas are considered; Teas are somewhat Taieas are unclear ‘considered ideas | more than one ‘on topic; makes few connections making multiple | thoughtful some connections ‘connections connection is made Grammar and Work has no Work has one or two | Work has three Work has four or Spelling, spelling errors spelling errors spelling errors more spelling andior grammatical | and/or grammatical | and/or grammatical | errors and/or grammatical etors. 7|PageGet three articles from a daily newspaper. Using the T-chart, assess the articles according tothe tenets of journalism. Make sure you include the picture ofthe articles you chose with your output. RENGTHS, Sy REFERENCE: Bulusan, F. (2016). Campus journalism within your reach. Lorimar Publishing, Inc. 8|Page