Introduction to Journalism

and Writing for Media

Add-On Course (2022-2023)
Prof. Reuben Lalan
 What is it all about?
⚫ Understanding the increasing importance of
journalism and media in communication.
⚫ Inculcating critical thought and social responsibility
through our engagements in media.
⚫ Negotiating with questions of ethics and legitimacy
within journalism and writing for media.
⚫ Conducting appropriate research on topics and
events in question.
⚫ Developing efficient and effective styles of writing
for media and journalism.
 Scope and Learning Outcomes
⚫ Identifying and elaborating upon the influence
and scope of media in shaping consciousness.
⚫ Identifying and studying processes that help cater
information to the ever demanding population.
⚫ Covering events and institutions in a critical
manner thereby being increasingly resourceful to
the media industry.
⚫ Basic exposure to journalism and writing for
media efficiently.
 What is Journalism?
⚫ Journalism is the activity of gathering, assessing,
creating, and presenting news and information. It
is also the product of these activities.
⚫ This includes commentary and feature materials
through print and electronic media such as
newspapers, magazines, books, blogs, webcasts,
podcasts, social networking and social media
sites, and e-mail as well as through radio, motion
pictures, and television.
 What is Journalism?
⚫ History reveals that the more democratic a
society, the more news and information it tends
to have.
⚫ The principles and purpose of journalism are
defined by something more basic: the function
news plays in the lives of people.
⚫ The purpose of journalism is thus to provide
citizens with the information they need to make
the best possible decisions about their lives, their
communities, their societies, and their
governments.
 What is Journalism?
⚫ History reveals that the more democratic a
society, the more news and information it tends
to have.
⚫ The principles and purpose of journalism are
defined by something more basic: the function
news plays in the lives of people.
⚫ The purpose of journalism is thus to provide
citizens with the information they need to make
the best possible decisions about their lives, their
communities, their societies, and their
governments.
 What is Media?
⚫ An intervening substance through which
something else is transmitted or carried on.
⚫ An agency by which something is accomplished,
conveyed, or transferred.
⚫ The source can also be influential in the process of
meaning formation.
⚫ Key role in the globalised world we live in.