INTRODUCTION TO

JOURNALISM
Definition and Scope of Journalism
• Journalism is an art of expressing different information, which are
of significant to the readers, listeners or viewers.
• Mass communication on the other hand, embodies all types of
communication to the general public and could be classified as
entertainment and educational.
• Historically, the term journalism evolved from the oldest and
most popular print media composed of newspapers and
magazines, but now it is also applied to the electronic media
composed of radio, television or film and internet, Radio and
television are commonly called broadcast media.
• The mass media, according to Maslog, could be classified into
into three:
• print media (newspaper, magazines, other periodicals, pamphlets
and books),
• electronic media (radio, television and film), and
• outdoor media (billboards, streamers, neon signs).
Types of Journalism
1. Objective Journalism
2. Interpretative Journalism
3. Adversarial journalism
4. Development journalism
5. Yellow Journalism
 To inform

Functions of To influence
the Press To entertain

To foster commerce and industry

 1. To report or describe an event

Roles of a 2. To explain and interpret the

Journalist event

3. To forecast the consequence of

the event
 Be inquisitive

Be constant in your purpose

Ten Be fair and balanced.

Practical Be genuinely interested in people

Seek the truth

Tips for Be resourceful

Aspiring Have guts

Master your grammar

Journalists Know your medium.

Read
 Accuracy
Criteria of a Responsibility
Quality
Newspaper Integrity

Leadership
PRESS FREEDOM AND ITS
LIMITATIONS
Press Freedom

• Press freedom is defined as the right of the people to express themselves in writing or in any other way of
expression of personal opinion or creativity.
• This is embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that states "everyone has the right to
freedom of opinion and expression; the right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to
seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers".
• Section 4 of Article III (Bill of Rights) of the 1987 Constitution reinforced by Section 7 of the same Bill of
Rights .
• Section 24 of Article Il of the Philippine Constitution
• Republic Act 7079, known as the "Campus Journalism Act of 1991"
 1. Libel

2. Anti-obscenity law
Limitations
3. Invasion of privacy law
of Press
Freedom 4. Law on national security

5. Contempt of court 6, Copyright law

 Libel is generally defined as "defamation of character" in
writing. When one does it orally, it is called slander
Libel as a Crime (Article 358 Of the Revised Penal Code). Libel laws is
said to be institutionalized to protect citizens against the
vast power of the press.
Some Precautions Against Libel

1.Check your facts. Don't assume anything. Have supporting notes.

2.Cross-check the facts of your story. Have at least two sources that are reliable.

3.Prefer documents.

4.Regard names, titles, and addresses as danger zones.

5.When in doubt, attribute. Use expressions like "police said," "witnesses reported, "the suspect," "the accused."

6.Demand the other side.

7.In legal matters, rely on legal records.

8.Do not count on police officers for spelling.

9.Check library materials.

a. Don't use what is not supported by at least two articles.

b. Use only what appears to be obviously safe.

 • Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code as amended by
Presidential Decree No, 960 imposes penalty on
immoral doctrines, obscene publications and
exhibitions, and indecent shows which is prison mayor
Anti-obscenity Law or a fine ranging from six thousand to twelve thousand
pesos, or both such imprisonment and fine.
 • Article 26 of the Civil Code states that "every person
shall respect the dignity, personality, privacy and peace
of mind of his neighbors and other persons."
• The following and similar acts, though they may not
constitute a criminal offense, shall produce a cause of
action for damages, prevention and other relief:
Prying into the privacy of another's residence;
Invasion of Privacy Meddling with or disturbing the private life or family
Law relations of another;
Intriguing to cause another to be alienated from his
friends;
Vexing or humiliating another on account of his
religious beliefs, lowly station in life, place of birth,
physical defect, or other personal condition.
 • The amended Articles 138 & 142 of the Revised Penal
Code imposes penalties of prison mayor or fine ranging
from six thousand to twelve thousand pesos, or both
National Security such imprisonment and fine, for act or acts which incite
or tend to incite rebellion or sedition or the
Law undermining, in any manner, of the faith and confidence
of the people in their government and/or duly
constituted authorities and which penalty shall be
imposed upon:
1.Those who shall publicly expound or proclaim doctrines openly
rebellious or seditious;

2.The authors of rebellious or seditious literature, published with their

knowledge in any form; the editors publishing such literature; and the
owners/operators of the establishment selling the same;
3.Those who, in theaters, fairs, cinematographs or any other place,
exhibit rebellious or seditious plays, scenes, acts or shows which
incite or tend to incite rebellion or sedition; and
4.Those who shall sell, give away or exhibit films, prints, engraving,
sculptures, or
 • Contempt of court is defined as a charge against
someone for interrupting the process of justice in a court
of law. If proven guilty, this can result in fines and jail
time.
• According to Alito L. Malinao, a publication is liable
for contempt if it shows the following:
Contempt of Court It has the tendency to impede the administration of
justice.
It is directed toward the court and is not a report of
fair comment upon an action before the court.
It takes place while the case is pending or has been
decided.
 • The Philippine Copyright Law is embodied in Republic
Act No, 8292, officially known as the "Intellectual
Property Code of the Philippines". It also protects
patents, trademarks, and other forms of intellectual
property.
Copyright Law
• Copyright implementation is done with the coordination
of the IPO and the Copyright Division of the National
Library of the Philippines. The materials that can be
copyrighted may include the following:
2. Periodicals (newspapers, tabloids, magazines, etc.)

3. Public speeches and other public speaking works (speeches, lectures, sermons,
etc.)

4. Letters

5. Television or movie scripts, choreography, and entertainment in shows

6. Musical works (lyrics, songs, song arrangements, etc,)

7. Art products (drawings, paintings, sculptures, etc.)

8. Ornamental designs and other forms of applied art (not necessarily industrial
designs)

9. Geographical, topographical, architectural, and scientific works

10, Scientific and technical drawings

11 . Photographs and cinematographic works made in a process similar to

photography

12. Audio-visual works and cinematographic process similar to making

audio-visual works

13.Pictures used in advertising (includes logos)

14.Computer programs

15. Other works not covered in classes scholarly, scientific, or artistic nature

16.Sound recordings

17. Broadcasts
 • Ideally, the sources of the news report should be
identified to make it more credible. But this could not be
done all the time especially when the job or the life of
the informant is at stake. It is now up to the reporter and
his editor to decide if they are going to use the material
given by the source in condition of anonymity. The
gravity of the source's statements corroborated by
Law Protecting another reliable source would guide them in their
decision.
News Sources
• Republic Act No. 53, as amended, known as the "Sotto
Law" and "The Press Freedom Law" that states,
"publisher, editor, columnist or reporter of any
newspaper, magazine or periodical of general
circulation cannot be compelled to reveal the source of
any news report or information which was given to him
unless it is demanded by the security of State."