Unit 1

BJ(MC)- 104 Unit 1
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UNIT 1 NEWS
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LESSON 1
Journalism
LESSON 2
Journalism as Fourth Estate
LESSON 3
Roles and Responsibilities of the Journalist
LESSON 4
News
LESSON 5
Elements of News
LESSON 6
News Value
LESSON 7
Types of News
LESSON 8
News Sources
LESSON 9
News Vs Information, Hard News Vs Soft News
LESSON 10
Forms of News Writing
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LESSON 1- JOURNALISM
STRUCTURE
1.0 Objectives
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Definition of Journalism
1.3 Functions of Journalism
1.4 Summing Up
1.5 Answers to Self-Check Questions
1.6 Assignment
1.6.1 Class Assignment
1.6.2 Home Assignment
1.7 Terminal Questions
1.8 References
1.9 Suggested Further Reading
1.10 Keywords
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1. Journalism
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In Unit 1 of the course ‘Print Journalism I’ we shall discuss importance of journalism,

role and responsibilities of journalist. We shall also discuss news, its elements and
news value, types of news and news sources and distinguish between news and
information and hard and soft news.
In the present lesson we shall study definition and function of journalism.
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1.0 Objectives
After going through this lesson, you should be able to:
 define journalism.
 understand scope of journalism.
1.1 Introduction
Journalism is the practice of investigating and reporting events, issues and
trends to the mass audiences of print, broadcast and online media such as
newspapers, magazines and books, radio and television stations and
networks, and blogs and social and mobile media. People who gather and
package news and information for mass dissemination are journalists. The
field includes writing, editing, design and photography. With the idea in mind
of informing the citizenry, journalists cover individuals, organizations,
institutions, governments and businesses as well as cultural aspects of
society such as arts and entertainment. News media are the main purveyors
of information and opinion about public affairs.
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1.2 Definition of Journalism

The following definitions shall fully elucidate the meaning of journalism
 Webster’s International Dictionary defines journalism as collection and
editing of material of current interest for presentation, publication or
broadcast.
 According to the famous reporter Curtis D. McDonald - “Journalism is
news gathering, fact finding and reporting. It is important anywhere at any
time. It is indispensable in a democracy as people cannot govern
themselves without being informed”.
 According to Chamber’s 21st Century Dictionary - “The profession of
writing for newspapers and magazines, or for radio and television.”
 According to Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Chairman of New York Times
(1963) “Journalism's ultimate purpose [is] to inform the reader, to
bring him each day a letter from home and never to permit the serving of
special interests.”
 According to F. Fraser Bond - “Something that embraces all forms in
which and through which the news and comments on the news reach the
public. All that happens in the world, if such happenings hold interest for
the public, and all the thought, actions, and ideas which these
happenings stimulate become the materials for the journalist.”
Journalism thus means communication of information about daily events

condensed into a few words, sounds or pictures to a large audience in the
form of a newspaper, magazine or a journal.
To Sum up, Journalism is:
1. Systematic and interesting way of publication of the daily events.

2. A medium for ideological exchange of views.
3. Building up a healthy public opinion through news, reviews,
columns, writings, and leading articles.
4. Making available the means of healthy recreation, which are
socially useful.
5. Contribution in the field of national and social unity and boosting
up the positive elements.
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6. Striving for the literary, cultural and industrial development.
Johannes Gutenberg of Germany was the first to develop printing around

1439. With printing, there was a revolution in the way communication
developed. Knowledge and information, which were till then the monopoly of
certain sections of the upper strata of society, slowly became available to
ordinary people.
1.3 Functions of Journalism

The primary purpose of Journalism is to provide people with accurate and reliable
information they need to smoothly sun a society.
Functions of journalism are:
Journalism moulds public opinion.

Therefore, opinion given by the press
helps the individuals, groups and society
to take the right step.
It corelating threads in an event which

may provide different perspective of the
Functions of Journalism
story.
Reporting involves collecting and gathering

facts and finally compiling it into a report. This
activity is based on various news values like
timeliness, proximity etc. It reports important
events which occur anywhere in the society.
Acting as a watchdog: it is protector

or guardian against inefficiency,
illegal practices, etc.
Educating the masses: The most

basic function of mass
communication and primarily
Journalism is to educate the masses.
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Self-Check Questions
Fill in the blanks
1. _________________given by the press helps the individuals, groups and

society to take the right step.
2. Webster’s International Dictionary defines journalism as collection and
editing of material of_________________ for presentation, publication or
broadcast.
3. _______________is the practice of investigating and reporting events,
issues and trends to the mass audiences of print, broadcast and online
media.
___________________________________________________________________
1.4 Summing Up
Journalism is building up a healthy public opinion through news, reviews,

columns, writings, and leading articles. It helps in molding public opinion,
correlating threads and educating masses. It also plays an important role of a
watch dog.
1. Opinion 2.Current interest 3. Journalism
1.6 Assignments
1. Define ‘Journalism’? Discuss the scope of journalism.
1. What are the functions and objectives of journalism?
1. Write short notes on:

a. Journalism
b. Correlation function
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c. Educating the masses
1.8 References
1. Ibbotson, Rubin: An Introduction to Journalism
2. Hough, George A.: News Writing
3. Puri,G.K: A Complete Guide to Journalism for all
1. M.V. Kamath: Modern Journalism, Vikas Publishing House, New Delhi
2. M.L. Stein and Susan F. Peterno : The News Writer’s Handbook,

Surjeet Publication, New Delhi.
3. John Hohnberg: Journalism made simple, Rupa and Company, New Delhi
1.10 Keywords
 Journalism is collecting, writing, editing and presenting of news and news

related articles in print, broadcasting on online medium.
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LESSON 2- JOURNALISM AS FOURTH ESTATE
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STRUCTURE
2.0 Objectives
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Journalism as the Fourth Estate
2.3 Summing Up
2.5 Assignment
2.7 References
2.9 Keywords
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2. Journalism as Fourth Estate
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In the last lesson we had discussed definition and function of journalism. In the
present lesson we shall study why journalism is known as fourth estate or watch dog
in democracy.
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2.0 Objectives
 describe journalism as fourth estate.

 understand the watchdog function of journalism.
2.1 Introduction
Journalists are known as “watchdogs”, whose mission is to sniff out wrongs,
point fingers at those to blame, and report in a way that brings about change.
When reporters are successful in their efforts of ensuring this, the life of the
people may genuinely get better and public appreciation of the importance of
a free press is strengthened.
The Fourth Estate (or fourth estate) is a societal or political force or

institution whose influence is not officially recognized. "Fourth Estate" refers
to the news media; especially print journalism or "The Press". Thomas
Carlyle attributed the origin of the term to Edmund Burke, who used it in a
parliamentary debate in 1787 on the opening up of Press reporting of the
House of Commons of Great Britain. Thomas Carlyle in his book On Heroes
and Hero Worship described it as:
“Burke said there were Three Estates in Parliament; but, in the Reporters'
Gallery yonder, there sat a Fourth Estate more important far than they all.”
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According to the Indian Constitution, the three pillars of democracy are:
• The legislature makes laws.

Legislature,
• The executive executes them.

Executive
• Judiciary keeps a check on the legislature and the

Judiciary. executive.
And fourth pillar i.e. Press keeps an eye on all the three pillars. It acts as a watch
dog to ensure smooth functioning of democracy.
Print media has played its role of watchdog dating back to pre- independence era.
Press was used to mobilize masses against British Raj. It was also used by Warren
Hastings and Raja Ram Mohan Roy to eradicate social evils like Sati, Child marriage
and also wrote in support of widow remarriage. Through his publications like,
Miratool Akbar, SambadKamaudi and Bhrammanical Magazine he tried to eradicate
major social problems.
Mahatma Gandhi also believed in the power of the press in steering the country. His
newspapers, Young India, Harijan and Indian Opinion mobilized the people to join
hands against the British Raj.
TarunTejpal’sTehlka became synonym to investigative journalism. The advent of

investigative journalism exposed Coalgate Scam etc.
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Watchdog role of the press can function to promote government transparency,

accountability, and public scrutiny of decision-makers in power, by highlighting policy
failures, maladministration by public officials, corruption in the judiciary, and scandals
in the corporate sector.
___________________________________________________________________
Fill in the blanks
1. Three pillars of democracy are_______________,________________ and

___________________.
2. Publications of Raja Ram Mohan Roy are _______________ and
_______________
3. TarunTejpal’s _____________became synonym to investigative journalism.
___________________________________________________________________
2.3 Summing Up
Press keeps an eye on all the three pillars. It acts as a watch dog to ensure smooth
functioning of democracy. Print media has played its role of watchdog dating back to
pre- independence era. Press was used to mobilize masses against British Raj and
today it moulds public opinion towards corruption.
1. Journalism
2. Miratool Akbar, Sambad Kamaudi
3. Tehlka
2.5 Assignment
1. What does ‘Journalism – the Fourth Estate’ mean?
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1. Describe how journalism has molded public opinion against British Raj.
1. Describe how print media has played its role of watchdog dating back to
pre- independence era.
2.7 References

2.9 Keywords
 Fourth Estate is a societal or political force or institution whose influence is

not officially recognized.
 Reporting is to give a spoken or written account of something that one has
observed, heard, done, or investigated
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LESSON 3- THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A

JOURNALIST
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STRUCTURE
3.0 Objectives
3.1 Introduction
3.3 Summing Up
3.4 Answers to Self Check Questions
3.5 Assignment
3.7 References
3.9 Keywords
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3. The Roles and Responsibilities of a Journalist
___________________________________________________________________
In the last lesson we had discussed why journalism is known as fourth estate or
watch dog in democracy. In the present lesson we shall study roles and
responsibilities of the journalist.
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3.0 Objectives
 describe roles and responsibilities of the journalist.
3.1 Introduction
One who gathers news and packages it for mass dissemination is known as
journalists. He is a person who sorts out, structures and neatly packages
stories for radio, TV, online or newspaper. Thus he communicates information
about daily events condensed into a few words, sounds or pictures to a large
audience in the form of a newspaper, magazine or a journal.
3.2 Roles and Responsibilities of Journalist

The roles and responsibilities of the journalist can be trifurcated as:
i) Social: Journalism is considered the mirror of society. A journalist

therefore must provide a truthful, comprehensive and intelligible
account of the events in a context that gives meaning .The journalist
should act as an effective medium for two-way communication between
readers and different organizations of the society. When a journalist
shoulders responsibility, he must act as a watchdog of the society, he
must help in establishing public opinion, he must also act as a catalyst
in social and judicial proceedings, he must do the surveillance of the
society, he must inform the people about both their fundamental rights
and duties, he must mobilize the masses to fight against a social
cause, he must also motivate the people to foster development and
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nation building, he must inform, educate and entertain the masses. he

must shoulder these responsibilities and provide true, unbiased,
thought provoking reports which will benefit individuals, groups and
society.
ii) Legal: though Journalism or the press enjoys freedom of expression in

our county, journalists must work within the legal framework.
Publication of baseless, graceless and manipulated material should be
avoided at all costs. The journalist must be aware of the various laws
relating to the press such as Official’s Secret, Copyright Act; he must
always act within the limits of law and never infringe them. Journalists
must not publish anything defamatory against any person or
organization. Journalists must not indulge in activities like plagiarism
and crass commercialisation. Journalist must follow the law and work
under the various Acts mentioned in the Constitution like, Drugs and
remedies Act, The Copyright Act 1957, the telegraph Act, The police
Act etc.
iii) Professional: Besides social and legal responsibilities, journalists

have certain professional obligations to honour. Every journalist must
be loyal towards hi or her organization. Each journalist must adhere to
the guidelines or style sheet drawn by the organization.
Each journalist must report authentic news so that the credibility of the
organization is maintained. Journalists must respect the name of the
organization and the editor. Journalists must also adhere to the
ideology both social and political followed by the news organization.
Journalists must be accurate and not in a hurry to submit the report.
Careful compilation of news reports is a must. Journalists must not
sacrifice language accuracy and must cross check facts and figures
before publishing the stories.
We know that the information provided helps the readers to make up

their minds on vital issues; this may also have a role in shaping their
attitudes. Whether working as a reporter, sub editor, editorial writer, he
must keep his biases at bay and should endeavour to be fair and
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balanced in the projection of news and views. One of the most

important responsibilities of a professional journalist is to ensure that in
hurry and haste, accuracy of language is not sacrificed.
The role of a journalist is not confined to merely reporting the news and
events. He is responsible for interpreting and commenting on the news
and events. The main function of a journalist revolves around “News
and Views”.
Professional
Roles
and
Respons
ibilities
Legal Social
___________________________________________________________________
Fill in the blanks
1. Journalists must also adhere to the ideology both ____________ and

_______________followed by the news organization.
2. He is responsible for interpreting and commenting on the __________ and
__________.
3. One who gathers news and packages it for mass dissemination is known as
________________.
___________________________________________________________________
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3.3 Summing Up
Journalism is considered the mirror of society. A journalist therefore

must provide a truthful, comprehensive and intelligible account of the
events in a context that gives meaning. He has to work within the legal
framework of the country and has to oblige and honour the style book
of his organisation.
1. Social and political 2. News and events 3. Journalists
3.5 Assignment
1. What are the roles and responsibilities of a journalist?
1. Enlist the various laws related to press.
1. Who is a journalist and what are the roles and responsibilities

attached with his job?
2. Define ‘Journalism’? What role does it plays in our society?
3.7 References


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3.9 Keywords
 Journalist is a person who writes for newspapers or magazines or prepares

news to be broadcast on radio or television.
 Reporting is to give a spoken or written account of something that one has
observed, heard, done, or investigated
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LESSON 4- WHAT IS NEWS?
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STRUCTURE
4.0 Objectives
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Characteristics / Nature of News
4.3 Qualities of News

4.4 Definitions of News
4.5 News Cycle
4.6 Summing Up
4.8 Assignment
4.10 References
4.12 Keywords
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4. What is News?
___________________________________________________________________
In the last lesson we had discussed roles and responsibilities of a journalist. In the
present lesson we shall study what is news.
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4.0 Objectives
 understand the meaning of news.
4.1 Introduction
News is what journalists thinks is important or interesting for their audiences.
Every day we are bombarded with too much of information about the
happenings in the world around us that if we sit to comprehend each of the
events will end up jumbling the events and fail to comprehend that piece of
news which is important for us.
So journalist is a man who comes to our rescue and structures we receive

sorted out and neatly packaged stories on the same day on radio, TV, online
or the next day in newspaper.
Now the question arises how do journalists decide what is news and what is
not news? How do they distinguish between big news and small one. It’s
simple they do it in exactly the same manner as everybody else. They follow
same instinct whenever one decides to talk about one event rather than
another.
Now let us now look at few examples and see which ones are interesting:
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a. Mother at 64, woman delivers baby girl or a Mother at 26

b. Men seen using Gurgaon's pink autos more often than women or women
commuting in pink autos in Gurgaon.
c. A car killing a dog, cat or a child?
The most interesting events in the above mentioned examples are likely to be
mother at 64, men commuting by pink autos in Gurgaon and a car killing a
child. Each of the events mentioned above might be news for one community
in which it happens, but some are more news worthy than another.
The level of interest for the same event may vary in different societies. It
depends upon the relative importance of that event in that society. The
content of news can vary in different society but news is judged on similar
criteria everywhere.
If it is not new or unusual, if it is not interesting or significant, and if it will not

affect your readers' or listeners' lives, then it is not news. Do not publish it or
broadcast it as news.Thus, we can say that news or the event is judged on
the basis of novelty (new), unusualness, whether it is interesting or significant
and human interest.
We can say that news is both a product and a point of view. As a product,
news is gathered, processed, packaged and sold by newspapers, news
services, news magazines and other periodicals as well as by radio, television
and cable stations and networks.
As a point of view news is what people want to know, whatever interests

them, whatever adds to their knowledge and understanding of the world
around them.
4.2 Characteristics / Nature of News
The nature or characteristics of news are as follows:

1. News is a report which a reporter writes to inform, educate or create
awareness and entertain his readers.
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He uses words, He is successful if

Reporter encodes the pictures, photographs, reader or his audience
information he wants speech to transmit his derive the similar
his audience to know ideas depending upon meaning as intended
the medium by him.
2. News is an account of an idea, event or problem as it provides substance

for news. As people are concerned with both the causes and the
consequences of what they see and feel, think and do. If substantial
numbers of people are concerned, ideas, event or problem may be news.
3. It is an account of something that is real. A reporter is a fact finder and
reports facts.
4. News is current and timely.
5. News is an account of something that interests people.
4.3 Qualities of News
Accuracy Balance
1. Cross check facts, figures,
information before publishing
Means giving both sides
of the story.
2. It is required to establish and
maintain credibility.
Objectivity Clarity
1. Reporter should not mix his opinion 1. There should be clarity in reporting
in story. and writing news story.
2. He should report events without 2. Sentences should be short and in
taking sides. active voice.
Impact
A reporter must have nose for
news and must be aware of the
imact the story would have on
readers.
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4.4 Definitions of News
Curiosity and inquisitiveness are the part of human nature. Man is curious to
know about others and what is happening in the world around him. This urge
of man to know led to the development of means to gather and disseminate
news.
News comes from Greek word “Neos”. In English it is known as “News”, in
French “Novellas”, in German “Neues”, in Arabic “Alakhabar” and in Urdu
“Kahbar”
Oxford Dictionary defines news as, “Newly received or noteworthy
information, especially about recent events.”
News is timely report of facts or opinions that hold interest or importance or

both for considerable number of people. It is usually stimulating information
from which ordinary human being derives satisfaction or stimulation.
News is anything and everything interesting about life and materials in all their
manifestation.
It is compilation of facts and events of current interest or importance to the
readers of newspaper.
Any information on current events relayed by print, broadcast or world of
mouth to a third party or mass audience is a news.
Let’s look at some definitions given by experts.

1. Stanley Walker of the New York Herald Tribune once said, “[News] is
more unpredictable than the winds. Sometimes it is the repetition with
new characters of tales as old as the pyramids, and again, it may be
almost outside the common experience.” Thus, Walker did not believe
in any concrete definition of news.
2. John Chancellor, a former correspondent for NBC News, suggested
that “News is a chronicle of conflict and change”.
3. Charles A. Dana, editor of the New York Sun, defined news as
“anything that will make people talk”.
4. Turner Catledge, former Managing editor of the New York Times called
news “Anything you can find out today that you didn’t know before”.
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News is
 Perishable i.e. once understood it becomes less informative and more

of history.
 Is of interest to large number of people.
 It is coverage of unusual events or happenings.
 What is new to public.
 An event put forward by a reporter- without a reporter, news items does
not exist.
Therefore we can say that news is information received from N= North, E=
East, W= West and S= South. News is not an event rather it is the account
of events written for people who have not witnessed it.
4.5 News Cycle
News cycle can be defined as a process followed from gathering to

dissemination of news.
Acquisition/ Processing
Gathering A reporter puts the
The word acquisition material in a process
means “something before it is delivered
acquired” or “gained” In to the audiences, this Dissemination
Journalism it means “to is called processing. Circulation,
get news material”. A The gathered distribution,
reporter acquires news information spreading
materials by sometimes requires
interviewing, examining
editing before it
documents or observing
on the sites or covering makes a way to the
the events audience
WHAT MAKES NEWS?
It is generally said that if a news report provides answers to six questions,

then it is a perfect news item. These six questions include five Ws and one H.
The five Ws are:
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When?
Where?
What ?
Why? and Who?.
The H is How?
NEWS AS A TOOL - POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE
News are a powerful tool. These can be positive as well as negative. You may
have read the news about an eighth standard school boy in Gurgaon near
Delhi killing his classmate by shooting. This was a shocking news. It was a
negative news also.
You might have seen news like this in papers. Two people died in a
communal clash in a small town. This is also negative news. This news can
further provoke communities in other parts of the country. Negative news
creates a negative impact.
But if you closely watch the news items in a day’s newspaper, you will find
that there is a mix of positive and negative news. Students of a school visiting
a nearby village and offering them voluntary service in road building is a
positive news. A feature about an NGO devoted to uplift the condition of street
children is another positive item. News can also be an instrument for
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development. Many a time it carries a message to the people. For e.g. a news
item such as “Government to give fee concession to all students up to
graduation ”. It is a development news. This enhances the chances of
education for millions of students who cannot afford it and are thus deprived
of higher education.
Negative News Reports
Activity 6.2
Find out from a week’s news paper some positive and negative news
reports.
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Positive News Report
Self Check Questions
True/False
1. News is non-perishable.
2. Usual things make news.
3. An event put forward by a reporter- without a reporter, news items does
not exist.
__________________________________________________________________
4.6 Summing Up
News is anything which is new, extra ordinary, unusual and something which makes
the readers curious. Any event can be news if it is news worthy. It must have
elements like timeliness, oddity, proximity, prominence, conflict, human interest,
suspense and curiosity to become news. News is current and is a perishable
commodity which is why it has to be disseminated immediately.
1. False 2. True 3. True
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4.8 Assignment
1. Read news paper and categorize content of news.

1. Define ‘News’? What role does news play in our society?
1. Define news. Discuss various types of news
4.9 References

4.11 Keywords
 News Newly received or noteworthy information, especially about recent

events.
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__________________________________________________
LESSON 5 ELEMENTS of NEWS
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STRUCTURE
5.0 Objectives
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Elements of News
5.3 Summing Up
5.5 Assignment
5.7 References
5.9 Keywords
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5. ELEMENTS of NEWS
___________________________________________________________________
In the last lesson we had discussed the meaning and the different ingredients of
news. In the present lesson we shall study the elements of news.
___________________________________________________________________
5.0 Objectives
 understand elements of news..
5.1 Introduction
Every day we are bombarded with too much of information about the
happenings in the world around us that if we sit to comprehend each of the
events will end up jumbling the events and fail to comprehend that piece of
news which is important for us.
So journalist is a man who comes to our rescue and structures we receive

sorted out and neatly packaged stories on the same day on radio, TV, online
or the next day in newspaper.
Now the question arises how do journalists decide what is news and what is
not news? How do they distinguish between big news and small one. It’s
simple they do it in exactly the same manner as everybody else. They follow
same instinct whenever one decides to talk about one event rather than
another.
5.2 Elements of News
The major elements of good news reporting are:
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Accuracy
Meaningfulness Speed
Cohesiveness Interest
Elements
of News
Reporting
Comprehensiveness Newsworthiness
Factuality Clarity
Objectivity Conciseness
1. Accuracy
 Accuracy is a journalistic proverb. News professional says “In case of doubt,
leave it out”. It means that if there is any doubt in facts, do not report, it is
better not to report than to report wrong.
 Check and double check your facts.
 Keep your opinion out of the story. When we report on what we think it is
“analysis” not news.
2. Speed: means rate at which something or someone moves to operate. A good
and accurate news report must be reported with speed. After accuracy the
speed comes. If you delay in reporting, someone else will report.
3. Interest: means holding the attention, share of involvement and attract the
people.
4. Newsworthiness: means to have something new for the target
readers/viewers.
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5. Clarity: means the state or quality of being clear, distinct, understood or

perceived.
6. Conciseness: means giving information clearly and in few words.
7. Objectivity: means unbiased or not influenced by personal feelings or opinion
in considering and representing facts.
8. Factual: means that news report is based on facts and that cannot be
contradicted.
9. Comprehensiveness: means dealing with all aspects of news, a detailed
content covering all aspects of a news event or a personality.
10. Cohesiveness: means the act, process, or condition of cohering.
11. Meaningfulness: means that the news report has the value for
readers/viewers.
Fill in the blanks
1. ______________________means dealing with all aspects of news

2. ______________________means giving information clearly and in few words.
3. _________________does not means that news report is based on facts and that
cannot be contradicted.
5.3 Summing Up
Any event can be news if it is news worthy. It must have elements like
accuracy, speed, objectivity, cohesiveness and conciseness to become news.
News is current and is a perishable commodity which is why it has to be
disseminated immediately.
1. Comprehensiveness 2. Conciseness 3. Factual
5.5 Assignment
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1. Read newspaper and identify different elements of news.
1. What elements can be included in a news story to make it more

readable and worthy?
1. What are the elements of a news story?
5.7 References
1. News Writing – George A. Hough
2. An Introduction to Journalism – Rubin, Ibbotson

2. M.L. Stein and Susan F. Peterno : The News Writer’s Handbook, Surjeet
Publication, New Delhi.
5.9 Keywords
 Interest: means holding the attention, share of involvement and

attract the people.
 Newsworthiness: means to have something new for the target
readers/viewers
_________________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________
LESSON 6 NEWS VALUE
__________________________________________________
STRUCTURE
6.0 Objectives
6.1 Introduction
6.2 News Value
6.3 Summing Up
6.5 Assignment
6.8 References
6.10 Keywords
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6. NEWS VALUE
___________________________________________________________________
In the last lesson we had discussed the elements of news. In the present lesson we
shall study news values and ingredients which make news.
___________________________________________________________________
6.0 Objectives
 understand news value.
6.1 Introduction
Journalists are the best judges about what news is and what is not. They take
this decision based on certain news values. The following are the salient
points to judge the newsworthiness.
6.2 News Value
News value is defined as characteristics of information that make an event or

subject news; they include timeliness, conflict, impact, currency, prominence,
proximity, and unusualness.
1. Timeliness: News is something new. So timeliness is a great factor in

deciding news. An incident that happened one month back will not make
news for today’s newspaper. Also timeliness varies from publication to
publication. For a newspaper, events that had happened on the previous
day is news. But for a weekly, events of the previous one week can make
news. For a 24-hour television news channel, every second is a deadline.
They can break the news anytime. So their timeliness is different from
that of a newspaper.
2. Impact: Impact of an event decides its newsworthiness. When the
tsunami waves struck several parts of the world, thousands of people
were affected. It became major news for the whole world. But if a cyclone
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kills 20 people in Bangladesh, it may not have any impact on other parts
of the world. When dengue fever affects 100 people in Delhi, it makes
news not only in Delhi but in other states also because the impact is wider
and people become more alert about the news.
3. Proximity: means nearness. Proximity is of two types physical and
emotional. “Bird flu spreading and hundreds of chicken dying in England”.
Does it make news for you? You may read it but do not worry about it. But
bird flu spreading in West Bengal will make you alert. This is because it is
in your proximity i.e. physical proximity. A plane crash in Peru will not be
big news in India, but if an aircraft crashes with Indians, it will be
headlines everywhere i.e. emotional proximity. So proximity decides the
news.
4. Controversy: People like controversies. Anything that is connected with
conflicts, arguments, charges and counter-charges, fights and tension
becomes news. All of you might have heard of Kargil. It was a conflict
between India and Pakistan. It became great news all over the world.
Many of you may remember the controversy about the Indian and
Australian cricket teams. It was news for all the media. When terrorists
crashed their plane into the World Trade Centre in New York it was lead
news everywhere.
5. Prominence: If a prominent person is involved in any event, it becomes
news. If an ordinary person’s car breaks down and he has to wait for ten
minutes on the roadside till the vehicle is repaired it makes no news. But
if the Prime Minister’s car breaks down and his motorcade has to stop for
five minutes it becomes news. A person visiting Rajghat and paying
homage to Gandhiji may not be a news item, but when the US President
visits Rajghat it becomes news.
6. Currency: News is about current events. Suppose the Olympic Games
are held in India. It becomes news because everybody is interested in it.
Likewise when SAARC leaders meet in Delhi to formulate future action
plans, it becomes the current news. Similarly, if extreme cold weather
continues for a week and fog disrupts air, rail and road traffic, it becomes
news.
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7. Oddity: Unusual things make news. Extraordinary and unexpected

events generate public interest. You might have seen box items in
newspapers about such happenings. A man pulls a car by his hair, a
woman gives birth to triplets, a singer enters the Guinness Book by
singing non-stop for 48 hours, and the painting of a famous artist is
auctioned for a very expensive price. All such odd stories evoke much
public interest.
8. Emotion: Stories of human interest make good news items. For example,
the police rescue a school boy kidnapped by mischief makers after a
search of two weeks. The parents meet the boy in an emotionally
surcharged atmosphere. The story of this meeting with a photograph
makes a good human interest report. Doctors advise a girl in Pakistan to
undergo a heart surgery urgently. But her parents cannot afford the
expenses. The Rotary Club of Delhi east offers help through their scheme
of ‘Gift of Life’. The girl comes to India and undergoes surgery
successfully. While going back she and her overwhelmed parents narrate
their experiences in India. This makes a good human interest story.
9. Usefulness: Sometimes news items help the public in various ways. You
must have noticed that weather forecasters warn fishermen not to go to
the sea for fishing on certain days because of rough weather. A
newspaper gives the phone numbers of police stations, hospitals,
ambulance services etc. to help people. You might have seen in
newspapers, requests from relatives to donors of blood for a patient in a
critical condition. Newspapers also raise funds from the public to help
victims of disasters and natural calamities, like tsunami and earthquake.
10. Educational value: News has also an educational value. In almost all
newspapers, you can find columns about educational and job
opportunities. These guide you about different educational courses,
career options available, opportunities for higher studies etc. These news
items help you become more knowledgeable.
11. Size: A bigger event gets more attention than a small one. The news
about the death of 50 passengers travelling in a city bus will be given
more attention than the news of a motorist accident on the highway.
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BJ(MC)- 104 Unit 1
12. News Policy: Every editor or owner of a newspaper sets a news policy or
editorial policy to follow. The importance of news is determined by this
policy. Thus News which strengthens news policy of newspapers will be
given an edge over News which negates or defeats the policy.
13. Progress: Involves any significant change for the betterment of mankind.
True/False
1. News has no educational value.

2. A bigger event gets less attention than a small one.
3. Proximity means nearness.
4. Usual things make news.
5. Every editor or owner of a newspaper sets a news policy or editorial policy to
follow.
___________________________________________________________
6.3 Summing Up
News is anything which is new, extra ordinary, unusual and something which
makes the readers curious. Any event can be news if it is news worthy. It
must have elements like timeliness, oddity, proximity, prominence, conflict,
human interest, suspense and curiosity to become news. News is current and
is a perishable commodity which is why it has to be disseminated
immediately.
1. False 2. False 3. True 4. False 5. True
6.5 Assignment
1. Read newspaper and identify example of each type of news value.
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BJ(MC)- 104 Unit 1
1. Define news value. What makes news?
a. Proximity
b. Currency
c. Prominence
6.8 References
4. European Federation of Journalists – Protecting Our Sources of Information

6.10 Keywords
 Timeliness Being at the right time.

 Proximity The property of being close together.
 Oddity Something unusual
_________________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________
LESSON 8 NEWS SOURCES
__________________________________________________
STRUCTURE
8.0 Objectives
8.1 Introduction
8.2 News Sources
8.3 Protection of News Sources

8.4 Summing Up
8.6 Assignment
8.8 References
8.10 Keywords
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8. NEWS SOURCES
___________________________________________________________________
In the last lesson we had discussed different types of news. In the present lesson we
shall study news sources, types of news sources, their credibility and how a
journalist must protect his sources.
___________________________________________________________________
8.0 Objectives
 define news sources

 understand different types of news sources.
8.1 Introduction
News can be attained from various sources like primary and secondary.
Reporters, correspondents, freelancers, news agencies, press conferences,
press releases are all sources of news. News sources must be credible and
authentic and a journalist must protect the sources by only revealing relevant
and necessary information. If the news sources are not credible or authentic,
the newspaper organization shall lose its own credibility.
8.2 News Sources
Source can be defined as a person, publication, record or a document that

provides information. It is also called a point from where something is derived
or obtained.
A reporter collects information from various sources. Information can be
collected through observation or by interviewing a person. Information can be
derived from, public documents, statistics, private diaries, letters, books,
libraries, newspapers, magazines, internet etc.
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BJ(MC)- 104 Unit 1
Primary News
Sources
News Sources
Secondary
News Sources
Freelancers
Routine Calls Tip- offs
News Contact
Conferences Primary
News
Sources
Community Pressure
Affairs Groups
Local Courts and

Government Trials
a. Contact: are people who, over a number of months or years, have provided valuable
information to a journalist.
b. Tip-Offs: Tip-offs, either freelances or members of the public, are another source of
news especially for broadcasters.
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BJ(MC)- 104 Unit 1
c. Freelancers: They are normally experienced reporters who may work part-time for a
newspaper, radio or television. They sell their information to relevant organizations
either individually or as part of a local news agency.
d. Pressure Groups: Pressure groups are a good source of news. Freedom of access
is desirable, tempered with a realistic and accurate approach, for groups such as
unions, environmentalists, charities and welfare organizations.
e. Courts and Trials: Court reporting is an essential daily aspect of a reporter’s job.
Accuracy and clarity are the keynotes of using such information attempting to
capture the imagination of the reader without infringing the rights and restrictions of
journalists.
f. Local government: Local government provides a useful source of information for

journalists. The press and public can attend all meetings unless business is deemed
confidential or exempt and basic facilities must be provided for reporters.
g. Community affair: Community affairs offer a wealth of source material for a

reporter. Clubs and societies exist in all communities. Arts and leisure organizations,
schools and churches are always keen to gain publicity on local radio and television
and in the local or regional press. Other easily accessible sources are voluntary
organizations trade unions, local councillors and politicians, local ‘celebrities’ or
‘people in the know’, as well as local employers.
h. News conferences: News or press conferences can provide invaluable official and
unofficial material for a journalist. Most conferences involve the setting up of
television recording equipment whilst the radio journalist will depend on a hand-held
microphone and a press journalist on a jotting pad and Dictaphone.
i. Routine Calls: Routine calls or ‘check calls’ are essential source of information and
are made on a daily or hourly basis as a matter of course. Calls are regularly made
to emergency services
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Letters
News News
Agencies Releases
Secondary
News
Sources
Syndicate Classified
Tapes Ads
Other
News
Media
a)
Letters: Letters to the editor or news desk often lead to good stories and reports,
particularly in relation to community issues, planning decisions, central government
policies and environmental and heritage issues.
b) Classified Ads: Classified Ads, especially the Births, Deaths and Marriages section,
can lead to the development of human interest stories and features suitable for print
and broadcast.
c) News Releases: News Releases and handouts are constantly sent to news rooms
by public relations, officers from commercial, voluntary, public or official
organizations. The majority of the news releases carry embargo which has no legal
weight, but which requests that information contained in the release is not published
until a certain date and time.
d) Other news media: Other news media such as newspapers, magazines and
televisions are fruitful sources of news and ideas for further investigation and
possible new angles. It is important not to overlook local, ethnic, international,
specialist and even the journalist’s own publication in seeking out stories that can be
developed for print and broadcast.
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e) Syndicated tapes: Syndicated tapes are often recorded interviews, announcements

or indeed complete programmes sent free of charge and unrequested to radio and
televisions stations.
f) News agencies: For news concerning the city from where the newspaper is
published (this is called local or city news) and in state in which it circulates (this is
called mofussil news) the paper relies on its own team of reporters and mofussil
correspondents. For national or domestic news (that is news from all over the
country outside its area of publication) and international news, newspapers depend
on reliable, well established and reputed news agencies which sell news on
commercial basis and according to the needs and demands of the individual
newspapers. Press or news agencies source news items and sell them to the print
and broadcast media. There are numerous international, national and regional
agencies
8.3 Protection of News Sources
Protection of news sources refer to maintaining the confidentiality of news

sources and it is considered reporter’s privilege. It simply means that the
journalists cannot be compelled to reveal the identity of the anonymous
sources even by authorities, including the courts. This right is given because if
it is not allowed, many people will be deterred in coming forward and sharing
information pertaining to public benefit. A famous instance of the use of an
anonymous source is the series of articles by Washing Post reporter Bob
Woodward and Carl Bernstein which uncovered the Watergate Scandal,
ultimately leading to the resignation of US President Richard Nixon.
Woodward and Bernstein relied extensively on information provided by
someone known to the world only under the nickname “Deep Throat”. Only in
2005 did Mark D. Felt, who at the time had been Associate Director of
the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, reveal that he was "Deep Throat".
Reporters only use confidential sources when they have to. A person who is
willing to be named carries much more credibility than an unnamed informant.
The public is more likely to believe people who go on the record because they
are publicly standing by their allegations. The fact that a source is willing to
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suffer public scrutiny strengthens the reporters' story, because it can be

tested. A report loses both vitality and authenticity if a reporter substitutes
faceless ‘sources’ for real people.
Credibility is a reporter’s most important currency. It should never be

squandered on an untrustworthy source.
To put things bluntly: unnamed sources should only be quoted
 In the last resort,

 When the information is of real public importance,
 When the reporter is sure the source is reliable and
 When there's no other way of getting the truth.
 Journalists depend on their sources to inform the public - their ability to do so
is compromised when forced to reveal confidential sources.
 Journalists have a duty to protect confidential sources as part of the
protection to whistleblowers and to defend the public’s right to know and
access to information.
 The independent status of journalists is compromised when their sources and
material becomes readily available to the police.
Fill in the blanks
1. ___________________ of news sources refer to maintaining the confidentiality of

news sources and it is considered reporter’s privilege.
2. _____________________ tapes are often recorded interviews, announcements

or indeed complete programmes sent free of charge and unrequested to radio
and televisions stations.
_______________________________________________________________
8.4 Summing Up
Source can be defined as a person, publication, record or a document that
provides information. It is also called a point from where something is derived
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or obtained. Reporter collects information from various sources through

observation, interview and research. The source from here he gets firsthand
information is known as primary source and the material from where he
extracts information are known as secondary source.
1. Protection 2. Syndicated
8.6 Assignment
1. Read newspaper and identify different types of news sources.
1. What are the different sources of news?
1. Define news sources. Explain different types of news sources with

examples.
a. Press releases
b. Contacts
8.8 References
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8.10 Keywords
 Freelancer A writer or artist who sells services to different employers without

a long-term contract with any of them
 Pressure Groups A group of people who try actively to influence legislation
___________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________
LESSON 9 NEWS Vs INFORMATION
HARD NEWS Vs SOFT NEWS
__________________________________________________
STRUCTURE
9.0 Objectives
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Difference between News and Information
9.3 Difference between Hard News and Soft News

9.4 Summing Up
9.6 Assignment
9.8 References
9.10 Keywords
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9. NEWS Vs INFORMATION
HARD NEWS Vs SOFT NEWS
__________________________________________________
In the last lesson we had discussed news sources, types of news sources, their
credibility and how a journalist must protect his sources. In the present lesson we
shall study difference between news and information and also study difference
between hard news and soft news.
___________________________________________________________________
8.0 Objectives
 understand difference between news and information.

 understand difference between hard news and soft news.
8.1 Introduction
Information becomes news when new value or fact is added to it. Hard and
soft news are determined on the basis of the treatment given to a particular
news story.
8.2 Difference between News and Information

In the railway station, you might have noticed the board displaying the train
timings. That is not news. That is information. But information becomes news
when news value is added to it. For example, if a new train time table is
issued by the railways replacing the existing one with changes in train timings,
that becomes news.
Similarly, the different slabs of income tax rates is not news. But when the
government decides to increase or lower the rates, it becomes news. You
might have seen weather reports in the newspapers. It gives the day’s
temperature or rainfall. It does not make news. It becomes news when there
is a sudden change in weather, or when heavy rains lead to floods or when
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continuous absence of rain leads to drought. So information is different from

news. News should give something new to the readers, viewers or listeners.
8.3 Hard News Vs Soft News

News stories are basically divided into two types: hard news and soft news.
Hard news generally refers to up-to-the-minute news and events that are
reported immediately, while soft news is background information or human-
interest stories.
Politics, war, economics and crime used to be considered hard news, while
arts, entertainment and lifestyles were considered soft news.
One difference between hard and soft news is the tone of presentation. A
hard news story takes a factual approach: What happened? Who was
involved? Where and when did it happen? Why?
A soft news story tries instead to entertain or advise the reader. You may
have come across newspaper or TV stories that promise “news you can use.”
Examples might be tips on how to stretch properly before exercising, or what
to look for when buying a new computer.
Fill in the blanks
1. ______________becomes news when new value or fact is added to it.

2. News should give something ____________to the readers, viewers or listeners.
3. _____________generally are reported immediately.
4. A____________ news story tries instead to entertain or advise the reader.
9.4 Summing Up
News is of various types depending upon timeliness, geographical spread,
treatment and beat. Hard and soft news are determined on the basis of the
treatment given to a particular news story.

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BJ(MC)- 104 Unit 1
1. Information 2. New 3.Hard news 4. Soft
9.6 Assignment
1. Read newspaper and identify hard news and soft news.
1. Differentiate between hard news and soft news.
1. Differentiate between news and information with examples.
9.8 References

9.10 Keywords
 Hard news Factual accounts of important events, usually appearing first in a

newspaper.
 Soft News Story that is interesting but less important than hard news which
focuses on people as well as facts and information and including interviews,
articles and editorials.
____________________________________________
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LESSON 10 FORMS OF NEWS WRITING

___________________________________________________
STRUCTURE
10.0 Objectives
10.1 Introduction
10.2 News Story and Feature
10.3 Backgrounder
10.4 Editorial
10.5 Summing up
10.7 Assignment
10. 9 References
10.10 Suggested Further Readings
10.11 Keywords
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BJ(MC)- 104 Unit 1
10. FORMS OF NEWS WRITING
___________________________________________________________________
In the last lesson we had discussed difference between news and information and
also study difference between hard news and soft news. In the present lesson we
shall discuss various forms of writing.
10.0 Objectives
 Identify the various forms of writing: article, news story, feature,

backgrounder, column and editorial
10.1 Introduction
Journalistic writing is formal, structured and demanding. The presentation of

information – accurate information in an accurate context; is the main goal of
writing, rather than the presentation and development of an individual writer’s
style. Variety in which news is presented in the newspaper makes it
interesting. This is achieved by writing news stories in different forms like
feature, article, columns etc.
10.2 News Stories and Feature
A factual story or a news story is a report based strictly on facts. This type of
story is the most common, telling only what actually took place, for instance at
a meeting of city council, or how an accident occurred and what resulted. In
this type of story a reporter fulfils his/her prime duty – writing only what is
seen and heard, without injecting personal opinion or judgement. The 5 Ws
and H are strictly adhered to.
Feature can be defined as a carefully researched article, that explains,

interprets and / or provides background or tells of interesting, unusual
occurrences that interest the reader. Feature stories sometimes have
emotional, personal, and/or humorous slants Feature articles are most
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BJ(MC)- 104 Unit 1
often found in special sections and on section fronts. A feature article will
be one that has been the subject of a considerable amount of research,
interviews and analysis. It will attempt to present an overview of the
subject matter (for example, how to purchase a new automobile) give
examples of what steps should and should not be taken, and offer expert
advice. Feature stories are usually longer than hard news stories and thus
are usually found away from the general.
A feature is usually written in a more narrative sense, but still follows AP

style. The following are the different forms of feature articles:
a) Column – is an article that appears regularly. It is written by one

writer or about a special subject.They appear with by-lines on a
regular basis (daily, weekly, etc.) They may be written
exclusively for one newspaper or magazine, they may be
marked by a syndicate or they may be self-syndicated by the
author.
b) Essay – A short, literary, nonfiction composition (prose) in which
a writer develops a theme or expresses an idea.
c) Evergreen – A timeless article that editors hold for months and
publish when needed. They need little or no updating.
d) Filler – Short non-fiction items, usually just fewer than 300 words
used to fill in small spaces on a page of a magazine or
newspaper page.
e) DIY – DIY to articles help people to learn how to do something.
They provide step-by-step information for the reader.
f) Human Interest Story – An article that involves local people and
events can be sold as anecdotes or accounts of personal
experiences can support ideas in magazine articles as firmly as
facts or statistics, They are also called ‘true-life stories’.
g) Interview – This feature story type article includes the text of
conversation between two or more people, normally directed by
the interviewer. Interviews are often edited for clarity. One
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BJ(MC)- 104 Unit 1
common variation is the round table – the text of a less

organized discussion, usually between three or four people.
h) Op- Ed – These are articles that run opposite the editorial page.
They are a response to current editorials and typical subjects.
Political op-eds are the most common, but they do not have to
be limited to politics. They should however, reflect items that are
current and newsworthy.
i) Personal Experience – An article in which the writer recounts an
ordeal, process or event he has undergone.
j) Personality Profile – A personal or professional portrait –
sometimes both – of a particular individual.
k) Seasonal – An article written about a holiday, a season of the
year or a timely observance. This kind of article will be submitted
months in advance of the anticipated publication date.
l) Service Article – An article about a consumer product or service;
it outlines the characteristics of several versions of the same
type of commodity. The aim is to help a potential purchaser to
make the best selection possible.
m) Sidebar – It is a short feature that accompanies a news story, or
magazine article. It elaborates on human interest aspects of a
story and explains one important facet of the story in more depth
or provides additional factual information – such as list of name
and addresses – that would read awkwardly in the body of the
article. This can be found in a box, separated from the main
article on the side or bottom of the page.
n) Travel Literature – Travel articles inform and enlighten the
reader through facts about a region’s landscape, scenery,
customs and atmosphere.
10.3 Backgrounder
It explains the history of an event of consequence. Backgrounder is

different from news because news is new and backgrounder is past
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BJ(MC)- 104 Unit 1
events. News updates and backgrounders take the readers back into
the past.
 Backgrounder helps in writing the news.

 It is like a revision for the reports and the reporter can connect
better to the event because of the details provided by the
backgrounder.
 A backgrounder is different from an article because it is not a
narrative write-up. It is a factual update.
 A backgrounder is not an analysis. It is just the chronological detail
for the particular event. Unlike an article it does not have a
headline. It provides reference material to the writers.
 A backgrounder is different from feature because a feature has a
headline but a backgrounder does not have a headline. Feature is
detailed interpretation of the event by co-relating the event to similar
events of the past. A feature may be a comparative study of two
similar sounding cases but a backgrounder is the basis on which
the difference is done.
 A backgrounder is different from an editorial because the editorial is
the mirror of the newspaper. It is the reflection of the ideologies of
the newspaper. Backgrounder is just a reference material which
helps the newspaper write the editorial. An editorial does not use
photographs whereas; a backgrounder may have many pictures to
support the material. Similarly, backgrounder does not have a
headline but an editorial does.
10.4 Editorial
An editorial is the mirror of the newspaper. It is the reflection of the

newspaper’s ideologies. It reflects the newspaper’s opinion about a
particular event of consequence. An editorial is a very important write
up. It is placed in the specially designed editorial page. The editorial is
written by the editor of the newspaper. Photographs do not support the
editorial. It is the only write-up in the newspaper which provides the
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BJ(MC)- 104 Unit 1
newspaper’s opinion. It is very different from news. News is new

whereas editorial is the newspaper’s opinion about an event. A news
story may use photographs; editorial does not. News is found
everywhere in the newspaper. But editorial is only found in the editorial
page and nowhere else. News stories are not biased but the editorial
certainly comes when the prejudice is given the opportunity to be
written. An editorial is different from a feature because a feature is a
detailed analysis of a newspaper except for the editorial page whereas
an editorial is never a light write up.
Similarly, an editorial and article are also different from each other.
Though they are placed in the editorial page, they are still quite
different. An article is a detailed interpretation of an event of
consequence but not the opinion of the newspaper. It can be written by
an expert in the area related to the topic whereas the editorial is written
by the editor of the newspaper.
___________________________________________________________________
Fill in the Blanks:
a) Name two forms of writings that appear in newspapers_________ and

________.
b) __________________ is just a reference material which helps the

newspaper write the editorial
c) ____________ is a report based strictly on facts
d) ___________ is a short feature that accompanies a news story, or magazine

article.
e) _________ are articles that run opposite the editorial page.
________________________________________________________________
10.5 Summing Up
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BJ(MC)- 104 Unit 1
It is important for every newspaper to incorporate different writing forms in the

daily so that there is variety for the readers. It is also important for a journalist
to understand and differentiate between these forms. For example a news
story is different from a feature and so is a feature different from the
backgrounder. An article and the editorial; both are printed on the same page
(the edit page) but are clearly different from each other. An article is the
opinion and analysis of news worthy incident by the writer and the editorial on
the other hand is the newspaper’s view on the incident. An editorial is not
accompanied with a by-line but an article will have a by-line. Similarly, news is
totally different from an article and an editorial as news is never printed on the
edit page. News is supported by photographs unlike an editorial or an article.
News will always have a by - line.
a. Features and Article b. Backgrounder c. News story d. Sidebar
e. Op-eds
10.7 Assignments
10.7.1 Class Assignments
1. Read newspaper and enlist the columns that appear in your newspaper.
1. What do you understand by news writing?
1. What are the various forms or types of news writing? Explain each briefly.
10.9 References
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3. John Hohnberg: Journalism Made Simple, Rupa and Company, New

Delhi
10.11 Keywords
 Feature is a written piece which is based on interpretation of facts and

based on research work. It is accompanied by photographs.
 Editorial is published on the edit page. It is an indispensable part of a
newspaper. It reflects the newspaper’s ideology and opinions.
 Backgrounder is a chronological narration of an event.
 Article is an expert’s view or opinion on a particular event of
consequence.
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Unit 1

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BJ(MC)- 104 Unit 1

1.2 Definition of Journalism

1.3 Functions of Journalism

1.5 Answers to Self-Check Questions

1.6.1 Class Assignment

1.6.2 Home Assignment

1.7 Terminal Questions

1.9 Suggested Further Reading

In Unit 1 of the course ‘Print Journalism I’ we shall discuss importance of journalism,

In the present lesson we shall study definition and function of journalism.

After going through this lesson, you should be able to:

1.2 Definition of Journalism

Journalism thus means communication of information about daily events

To Sum up, Journalism is:

1. Systematic and interesting way of publication of the daily events.

6. Striving for the literary, cultural and industrial development.

Johannes Gutenberg of Germany was the first to develop printing around

1.3 Functions of Journalism

Functions of journalism are:

Journalism moulds public opinion.

It corelating threads in an event which

Reporting involves collecting and gathering

Acting as a watchdog: it is protector

Educating the masses: The most

Fill in the blanks

1. _________________given by the press helps the individuals, groups and

Journalism is building up a healthy public opinion through news, reviews,

1.5 Answers to Self-Check Questions

1. Opinion 2.Current interest 3. Journalism

1.6.2 Home Assignment

1. What are the functions and objectives of journalism?

1.7 Terminal Questions

1. Write short notes on:

c. Educating the masses

1. Ibbotson, Rubin: An Introduction to Journalism

2. Hough, George A.: News Writing

3. Puri,G.K: A Complete Guide to Journalism for all

1.9 Suggested Further Reading

1. M.V. Kamath: Modern Journalism, Vikas Publishing House, New Delhi

2. M.L. Stein and Susan F. Peterno : The News Writer’s Handbook,

 Journalism is collecting, writing, editing and presenting of news and news

LESSON 2- JOURNALISM AS FOURTH ESTATE

2.2 Journalism as the Fourth Estate

2.4 Answers to Self-Check Questions

2.5.1 Class Assignment

2.5.2 Home Assignment

2.6 Terminal Questions

2.8 Suggested Further Reading

2. Journalism as Fourth Estate

After going through this lesson, you should be able to:

 describe journalism as fourth estate.

2.2 Journalism as the Fourth Estate

The Fourth Estate (or fourth estate) is a societal or political force or

According to the Indian Constitution, the three pillars of democracy are:

• The legislature makes laws.

• The executive executes them.

• Judiciary keeps a check on the legislature and the

1. Three pillars of democracy are_,__ and