LEARNING MODULE 9

Cartooning and Lay-outing

Cartoon
A cartoon is a form of expression. The cartoon conveys a lot of information in very few words. Cartoons
add special value to newspapers. That is why, despite advances in photography and animation
technologies, cartoons still command their own place in newspapers. It is a visual medium that engages
the audience and helps them understand and interpret the political, and social Cartoons that can help them
understand the mood of the country and benefit people. 

Cartoonists 
Cartoonists were creative people with exceptional courage. They comment on politics, corruption and
other sensitive issues and twist it to give it a witty look. That calls for integrity and bravery.

Qualities of Effective Cartoons

A good editorial cartoon expresses a recognizable point-of-view or opinion. In the best instances, the
cartoon cannot be read or understood by only looking at the words or only looking at the picture. Both the
words and the pictures must be read together in order to understand the cartoonist's message.
Personally, good cartoons have likable characters, whether they be a protagonist or antagonist. I mean, if
you look at today's cartoons, the "bad guy" is often times the most favored character in the fanbase. I
enjoy animated series that are capable of holding fans from all sorts of age groups, each one like a certain
aspect of it. That includes character development, plot, and art style. If the style isn't visually appealing, I
usually have a harder time getting into it.

Techniques in Editorial Cartooning

Cartoonists use several methods, or techniques, to get their point across. Not every cartoon includes all of
these techniques, but most political cartoons include at least a few.
 Some of the techniques cartoonists use the most are symbolism, exaggeration, labeling, analogy,
and irony. Once you learn to spot these techniques, you’ll be able to see the cartoonist’s point
more clearly.
Symbolism
Cartoonists use simple objects, or symbols, to stand for larger concepts or ideas. After you identify the
symbols in a cartoon, think about what the cartoonist intends each symbol to stand for.

Exaggeration
Sometimes cartoonists overdo, or exaggerate, the physical characteristics of people or things in order to
make a point.

Labeling
Cartoonists often label objects or people to make it clear exactly what they stand for. 

Analogy
An analogy is a comparison between two unlike things that share some characteristics. 

Irony
Irony is the difference between the ways things are and the way things should be, or the way things are
expected to be. Cartoonists often use irony to express their opinion on an issue. 
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cartoons are an integral part of newspapers, online news platforms, etc. They have helped
establish and sustain the people’s attention to subjects such as political satire, social events/issues,
economical disputes, prominent individuals, etc. Cartoon Journalism also makes the citizens aware of the
lighter aspects of the harsh and brutal information, without reducing it to a laughing matter. Cartoons
convey a lot of information in very few words. The emotions behind them are genuine, and although
harsh, they are taken with a sense of humor. Cartoons provide a lighter alternative to traditional news
reporting, providing a welcome break from the increasingly depressing community and social dialogue.
Cartoons provide accessible and immediate comments and analysis on current events due to their
capacity to distill news and viewpoints into a caricature. They are a unique form of journalism, that cast a
powerful interpretation of the day’s news. They explain and explore stories in a manner, articles cannot.
More effective than writing, they capture the exemplary human nature of their subjects, in order to
humanize the topic, they depict.

LESSON 10
Script Writing and Newscasting

What makes good broadcast writing?

Good broadcast writers know someone has to read what they wrote aloud, on the air. They avoid most
multiple-syllable words, words that are tough to pronounce, and long, convoluted sentences.
           Good broadcast writers cut to the chase quickly, but in a conversational style. 

TV vs. Radio Broadcasting

Well, Television’s greatest strength is Visual. Where Radio relies on strong copy to excite the
imagination. Television allows you to back up the story you want to tell with visual cues that can elicit
the desired response from your audience. Where Radio presenters and advertisers must become masters of
creating a theater of imagination that engages listeners. So basically, in a nutshell, the difference is that
radio broadcasting only transmits audio, while television broadcasting, whether analog or digital,
transmits both audio and video.

What Are Ethics in Journalism?

Journalistic ethics are the common values that guide reporters. They lay out both the aspirations and
obligations that journalists, editors, and others working in the field should follow to execute their work
responsibly.
The Ethical Principles for Journalists?
There are several key ethical standards that appear across global news organizations. At the highest level,
they call on journalists to seek the truth, act in the public interest, and minimize harm.
1. Honesty. Journalists have an obligation to seek out the truth and report it as accurately as possible. This
requires diligence: this means making every effort to seek out all the facts relevant to a story. Journalists
should also corroborate any information with multiple sources.
2. Independence. Journalists should avoid taking political sides and should not act on behalf of special
interest groups. Any political affiliations or financial investments that might constitute a conflict of
interest with the subject they are writing about should be declared to editors and readers. Some
organizations characterize this principle as “objectivity,” while others, especially non-profit civic
journalism projects, reject this term, as they position themselves explicitly on the side of public interest.
3. Fairness. In addition to being independent, journalists should show impartiality and balance in their
reporting. Most news stories have more than one side, and journalists should capture this. That said, they
should not place two different perspectives on equal footing where one is unsupported by evidence. The
exception to the impartiality rule is opinion writing, as well as “gonzo” journalism and creative
nonfiction.

4. Public accountability. News organizations should listen to their audience. To enable the public to hold
them accountable, journalists should write under their own bylines and accept responsibility for their
words. When news outlets publish factual errors, they need to issue a correction.

5. Harm minimization. Not every fact that can be published should be published. If the amount of harm
that could come to private individuals—particularly children—as a result of disclosure exceeds the public
good that would come of it, then news outlets might choose not to publish the story. This is less of a
consideration when it comes to public figures. It is huge, however, in matters of national security, where
lives could be on the line.

6. Avoiding libel. This is a legal as well as a moral imperative for journalists. Journalists cannot print
false statements that damage a person’s reputation. In most jurisdictions, true statements cannot be
libelous, so journalists can protect themselves by rigorously checking facts.

7. Proper attribution. Journalists must never plagiarise. If they use information from another media outlet
or journalist, they need to attribute it to them.

What is a Scriptwriting Journalist?

Scriptwriting journalists, also known as screenwriters, turn a simple story or plot idea into a carefully
crafted, well-developed script complete with camera angles and scene settings. Scriptwriting services are
required in many different areas of media production, such as radio programs, documentaries, theatrical
production or television shows. Scriptwriting journalists create the original content, characters and
plotlines for these productions, or they also can adapt books or other material for performance. As well as
having strong written communication skills and an understanding of scriptwriting principles, these
journalists need to be able to use their creativity and take direction from producers.

Personally, Journalism is a school activity that accurately simulates a work environment. We all have
jobs. We all have deadlines. We all must have accountability and professionalism. In journalism, we
cannot afford to have incorrect information. It is important to make sure we use credible sources and
research our topic thoroughly. Journalism has taught me that doing research is not as daunting as it might
seem. The amount of effort it takes to properly research is entirely worth it if we want to be capable of
understanding the world around us. Sometimes, journalism needs for being timely in reporting the story
and imposes strict deadlines. This taught me how to be productive and manage my time.