NEWS WRITING FOR

PRINT MEDIA
COMMUNICATION DEFINED
 The imparting or exchanging of information or news
 The process by which information is exchanged
between individuals through a common system of
symbols signs or behaviour
 The technology of the transmission of information as
by print or telecommunication (by Merriam Webster)
COMMUNICATION PROCESS

 Sending Of The Message

 Encoding Of The Message- in forms of languages,

words, gestures,

 Selecting The Channel –medium, either oral or

written,visual (ex. Telephones, memos, letters,
and reports)

 Receiving And Decoding Of The Message –

interpreting and translating the message
THREE TYPES OF COMMUNICATION
1. Verbal communication

2. Written communication

3. Non-verbal communication
PRINT MEDIA

Is a form of communication that uses physically

printed media, such as magazines and
newspapers, to reach consumers, business
customers and prospects
 flyers, billboards and magazines, newspaper
WHAT IS NEWS ?
 Any oral or written report of an event that
happened, is happening, will happen in the North,
East, West and South (NEWS) that is of interest to
the reader and which should be reported
 An event, idea or reaction presented factually and
simply in written form to give the reader an idea
what is currently happening around him
 Timely factual report of events, ideas or situations
interesting or significant to people
 An account of something that has happened
NEWS IS….
 A reportage of accurate facts, events and
ideas that interest a large number of readers
 Timely reportage of events, regardless of
time and manner, which are grounded on
facts. It considers nearness, importance ,
impact and interest to the public.
 About current events printed in newspapers
or broadcast by the media
NEWSWORTHY
-event that AFFECTS or CHANGES social, economic, political,
physical or man’s relationship with environment
1.Change is Essential- bills, new industry,new leader, loss of job
2.Community Consequence Required –magnitude of interest to
a number of readers?is it disruptive to status quo?
3.Consequence- events of much consequence,more
consequence,more space larger headlines
-consequence may measure conflict, disaster or progress
4. Eminence and Prominence- “names make news, big names
make bigger news”
-politicians, leaders
5.Timeliness and Proximity
6.Novelty -anything different appeals to the reader
 7. Human Interest
 8. Sex- love stories of the famous names in the city,
country, world
IS A STORY NEWSWORTHY?
________________________________________

 The source:
Is it reliable, trustworthy, independent, honest, believable?
 The subject:

Does it fit my output? If you are writing for a sports magazine, you
will probably not be too interested in finance, crime, science,
international trade or health, unless there is a sports angle
 The people:

What interest is there likely to be in what the individuals in the story

are doing? If it's a choice between you and the president, you lose
every time.
 The audience:

Will this story appeal to many of my readers, viewers, or listeners?

There's not much point in carrying serious financial news in a
celebrity-centred popular newspaper.
 The surprise:
How unusual is this event or development?
Something unexpected is more likely to make the
news than a routine happening.
 The knowledge:

Is this story new or has it been published

before? If so, by whom? Will it have been widely
circulated, or will most people be learning about it
for the first time?
 The timing:
Even if the story is not recent, and the
event many years old, it can still be worth
running if the information has only just come
to light.
 The yawn:

Have we just had too many stories on this

subject? Let's look for something else before
we lose our audience through boredom?
SOURCES OF NEWS
 Beat
 Written and Printed Documents- memos,
minutes, executive orders, resolutions
 Observation
 Tips from co-writer, teacher, students,officials
 Gantt Chart, Reports or Calendar of Activities
 Interview key informants- credible sources
MORE SOURCES….
 Blogs- different points of view
 Citizen Journalism- ordinary citizens
become amateur reporters with the
use of digital & cell phones video
cameras and internet access
 Hyperlocal News
RULES OF THUMB IN NEWS GATHERING
 See for yourself –be the first -hand
witness
 Find the person who knows- key
participant
 Compare all versions- avoid biases
 Be tactful and courteous to your
interviewees
 Make and keep friends
 Print it !- unpublished news is wasted