CAMPUS

JOURNAL
ISM

Emmi M. Roldan, M.C., CSPE

Associate Professor-B
CL
AS
PO ROS
LI O
CY M
•ON GRADES
 Non compliance and missed to
take 2 consecutive major exams
will be marked 5.00
 New Grading System
Performance 25%
(Quizzes, Board Work, Recitation)
Output 25%
Assignments, Projects, Research,
Reports, Experiment, Simulation,
Hands-on Activities
Major Exam (Prelim, Midterm, 50%
Finals)
Total 100%
 New Conversion Table
Grade Conversion Grade Conversion Grade Conversion

0-74 5.00 83 2.30 92 1.80

75 3.00 84 2.25 93 1.75
76 2.90 85 2.20 94 1.70
77 2.80 86 2.15 95 1.60
78 2.70 87 2.10 96 1.50
79 2.60 88 2.00 97 1.40
80 2.50 89 1.95 98 1.30
81 2.4 90 1.90 99 1.20
82 2.35 91 1.85 100 1.00
NA – Not Attending DRP - Dropped
Subject Code: EL 119
Subject Description: Campus Journalism
This course provides students with basic concepts
of journalism. It is designed to acquaint students
with the theories and principles of campus
journalism. This is also a practical course to
students who are beginners in the journalism field
and who want to improve their journalistic skills
and provides them opportunities to produce news
and other articles for a campus paper.
Course Outcome:
CO 1: Familiarize with the concepts of journalism
and its nature.
C02: Know the nature and concept of campus
paper.
C03: Reflect on the importance of campus
journalism in schools and society.
C03: Discuss the news, and newswriting; and the
different elements that make a material
newsworthy.
CO 4: Discuss the characteristics and elements of
different elements of feature writing.
C05: Compose and disseminate properly well-
written reports.
C06: Analyze and interpret data and information
using appropriate tools and procedures.
CHAPTER I
FOUNDATIONAL
CONCEPTS ON
JOURNALISM
 SCOPE AND NATURE OF JOURNALISM
Before getting into the skills of writing journalistic
articles, anyone must have a fixed understanding
of the scope of modern day journalism.
Journalism is everywhere, just as media takes an
integral part in all our lives. Where there is media,
journalism exists.
As a field that is worth working, journalism is one
of the most prestigious careers one can get today.
This involves various areas of work like reporting,
writing, editing, photographing, broadcasting, or
cable casting news items. It covers the printed
media that comes in the form of broadsheets,
tabloids, newsletters and magazines.
 Journalism comes from the
Latin word, ‘diurnalis’
(‘daily’), from diurnus (‘of the
day’), from dies (‘day’). That is
Newspapers are the
why there is the word journal –
oldest and most
a daily register of one’s
traditional format for
activities. Hence, journalism is
the inclusion of
a communication of day-to-
journalism. Newspapers
day information.
started life as ‘journals’,
from which the word
‘journalism’ is derived.
During the 19th century, American journalists relied on
sensational stories that were used to excite or anger the public,
rather than to inform them. This form of journalism became
known as ‘yellow journalism’.
 Television news journalism,
including radio, is known as
news broadcasting and is
produced locally in a newsroom
or by a broadcast network.
Magazines, are
publications containing a
variety of articles that are
generally published on a
regular schedule, whether
it be weekly, monthly or
quarterly.
Internet communications have excelled in the last
decade or so, of course, taking the way news is
published with it. There are now an unaccountable
digitized number of reputable and not-so-reputable
sources of information on the internet. Everything from
digitized versions of the very newspapers that headed
up the first print media movements hundreds of years
ago, to independent bloggers reporting their own
stories from the comfort of their own laptops.
Other Definitions of Journalism
The occupation of writing for publication in
newspapers and other periodical. – Noah Webster
Something that embraces all forms in which or
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 thoughts, actions, and ides
which these happenings stimulate, become basic
materials for the journalist. Fraser F. Bond
 Enjoyable co-curricular activity of the school
paper staff in collecting, organizing, and
presenting news; in writing editorials, columns,
literary articles, and features; in copyreading,
proofreading, dummying, and writing headlines
– all for the purpose of putting out a school
organ.
JOURNALISM
vs
LITERATURE
 JOURNALISM vs LITERATURE
All journalistic ventures are grounded on facts, on truth ad
on actuality. Redundant as it may, facts are foundation of all
the ambits of journalism.
Journalism and literature are both forms of writing,
consumed by the public and have relative style. They may be
guided by set rules.
Literature is based on the wandering imagination of writer,
categorized intro prose and poetry. Journalism on the other
hand, has main genres that include news, editorial and
features.
Journalistic genre follow the strict method of
dividing ideas through paragraphs while
literature has a variety of forms and styles.

Example:
Joy, a writer, wishes to come up with a story about
ghosts. She now starts imagining the appearance
of the ghosts and creates a plot which includes the
conflict, the climax and the resolution of the
conflict. - (a literary piece)
Marla, on the other hand, also writes about ghosts.
However, before she start writing about them, she
interviews persons who have allegedly seen them.
The appearance of ghosts, including the persons’
beliefs about them, is written into an entertaining
way. Hence, the output is packed with facts.
- (feature story, a journalistic article)
KILLERS OF
BALANCED
REPORTING
 KILLERS OF BALANCED REPORTING
Concepts that Kill Balanced Reporting
1.Yellow journalism – this is simply sensationalizing a story
or an issue.
– A type of journalism that presents little or no legitimate
well-researched news and instead uses eye-catching
headlines to sell more newspapers. Techniques include:
• exaggerations of news events
• scandal-mongering or sensationalism
Most showbiz stories are grounded on this typeof
journalism which appeals to the curiosity of the
reader and viewers.
Cont…
2.New journalism - is a style of news writing and
journalism, developed in the 1960s and 1970s, that uses
literary techniques deemed unconventional at the time.
Characterized by a subjective perspective, a literary style
reminiscent of long-form non-fiction and emphasizing
"truth" over "facts", and intensive reportage in which
reporters immersed themselves in the stories as they reported
and wrote them. This was in contrast to traditional
journalism where the journalist was typically "invisible"
and facts are reported as objectively as possible. The
phenomenon of New Journalism is generally considered to
have ended by the early 1980s.
Cont…

3.Advocacy journalism – a genre of journalism that is fact-

based but supports a specific point of view on an issue.
Advocacy journalist are expected to focus on stories dealing
with corporate business practices, government policies,
political corruption and social issues.
4.Stylistic Journalism – emphasizes imaginative, stylized
writing of stories and considers newspapers as “the literature
of immediate fact”.
5.Editorializing – is giving the reporter’s opinion rather than
the fact. It may also mean the expanding of news about an
insignificant happening to give publicity to a subject.
 TENETS OF
JOURNALISM
Journalism entails not only knowledge but also
responsibilities. Hence, their journalists are bound by stict
guidelines. Journalists have right, but they must bear on
shoulders the duties to serve the interest of the public.
1.Responsibility. Journalists should always be aware of
their obligations to their readers to write the truth
whatever it costs.
 Journalist must be brave enough to defend facts and
the truth behind the news. In this sense, the
journalists’ main responsibility is to be the
transmitter of veracity in any issue, and that they are
liable not to the company but to the public.
2. Freedom of the Press.
Freedom of the press or freedom of the media is the
principle that communication and expression through
various media, including printed and electronic
media, especially published materials, should be
considered a right to be exercised freely.
3. Independence. Putting the life of one or two persons
by slashing the welfare of the general public is a clear
violation of this tenet. It means that the services of a
journalist should be committed to the interest of the
general public and not driven in the interest of money
called ‘envelopmental journalism’.
4. Objectivity, Truthfulness and Accuracy. Checking
the veracity of data and information before they are
published is an example of being accurate and truthful.
Since facts are the solid foundation of journalism,
media men should not therefore conceal the truth by
fabricating facts and by publishing misquoted
statements and erroneous statistics
 Objectivity on the other hand, is simply avoiding
conflicts of interest on the treatment of the articles
and on the way arguments and news are written.
Guidelines to Attain a Balanced Story Whenever
Journalists face controversial issues (Teel and Taylor,
1983, as cited by Pangilinan)
1. Stick to the facts.
2. Never insert your personal opinion.
3. Be discreet in the use of adjectives.
4. Avoid cheap shots.
5. Somebody with something to say deserves a forum.
6. Assess your alliances. Remember that you are an
observer, not a participant.
7. Listen to your editor.
5. Fairness. The whole point in advocating
objectivity is to be fair in presenting information
in any journalistic field. Remember, the public
will see the topic according to the way journalists
present it; hence, reporters should exercise telling
the truth and putting the information in the right
perpective.
FUNCTIONS AND
DUTIES OF THE
PRESS
ROLES AND PRIMORDIAL
FUNCTIONS OF PRESS
1.The quality of the newspaper must be reflected in
the editorial policy. It is more than just a business
because it also reflects and influences the life of the
whole academic community.
2.Newspapers must have integrity and readers’
confidence.
3.Newspapers may educate, stimulate, assist or
entertain. It is therefore a moral responsibility to
balance public interest and the gains.
4. The fundamental quality of the newspaper rests in
the quality of the content and the kind of editorial
product. It is responsible for the rise of the readers’
educational level and resurgence of an articulate,
active young generation.
5. Freedom of the press encompasses responsibility of
the newspapers. Freedom of the press and
responsibility are inseparable. Responsibility of the
press means truth in the news – truth tempered with
mercy, decency and humility.
6. The press must practice the principles of journalism
without bias and self-interest.
LIMITATIONS OF
THE PRESS
David Broeder as cited by Pangilinan averred that
reports are flawed. Hence, reports are not that
complete and may bear mistakes.

1.Limitations of the press may be traced upon the

timeframe. When a journalist in a hurry to beat the
deadline, he may not have enough time to reach all
the sources of information. Subsequently, reporters
will be unable to present the story in as many
perspectives as a journalist should showcase.
2. Limitation of the press is its proneness to be
manipulated by the powerful, the elite and the
politicians.
PRESS FREEDOM – Legal Framework

Section 4, Article III, Bill of Rights, 1987

Philippine Constitution – “No law shall be passed
abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of
the press, or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble and petition the government for redress of
grievances.”
Press Freedom is NOT Absolute
Watchdog of a democratic society
Fourth Estate – fiscalizing function for the three
branches of government: executive, legislative and
judiciary.
Adversarial in nature but not necessarily polarized.
QUIZ/ACTIVITY
 The Character of
Press Rights
The following conditions are essential for a free
student press:
1.The student press, in accordance with the right of the
United Nations Convention on Freedom of Information,
should be free from regulations by any organ of the
government or by the university authorities;
2.The student press, except where it is an official organ
of a student organization, should be free from
regulations by other student organizations;
3.The student press should be free from all pressures,
financial and other external groups.
4. The student press should have a free access to
information and the same rights and privileges as
afforded to regularly accredited journalists.
 The Code of Student
Press Rights
Believing that all student publications throughout
the world should respect the basic principles of
human rights and that they should maintain good
quality workmanship and a high standard of
conduct, the following Code of Ethics for observance
by student journalists is recommended:
1.The student journalist should strive continuously to be
unbiased and accurate in his/her reports and should
equip himself adequately with facts to support his/her
published statements. He/She should realize his/her
personal responsibility for everything he/she submits
for application.
2. The student journalist should reveal his/her identity
as a representative of the student press before
obtaining any interview for publication.
3. The editor should apologize in print at the first
available opportunity for all mistakes.
4. A student journalist should defend freedom through
the hones collection and publication of news and
facts and though the rights of fair comment and
criticism.
5. A student journalist should respect all confidence
regarding sources of information and private
documents or distort of misrepresent the facts.
 Declaration of
Principles:
Aims of Student
Journalists
The International Student Press Conference,
considering
“that journalism plays one of the most essential roles
in the life of man. i.e. the expression thinking”;

“that student journalism as a means of expressing

thought tends to strengthen unity, understanding and
friendship among all the students of the worlds”;
“that through a mandate of the press conference, it is
the duty of the student press to take a position on
current problems based on the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and on the Charter of the Student Press;

“that in order to define the responsibility of the student

press in a Code of Ethics, it is necessary first of all to
establish the duties and obligations of the student
journalist and make a declaration of principles
containing the aims and objective to be implemented
by the student journalists the following:
1. Culture: Student journalism must be a means of
propagating culture in all its forms;
2. Freedom of the Press: It is necessary in order to
insure the very existence of journalism that full
freedom of the press exists in the country in which
student publications are issued because the
freedom of the press exactly reflects the liberty of
opinion and expression in any democratic country;
3. Freedom of Culture: As the exchange of ideas
and opinions is an effective means of obtaining
understanding between all students of the world,
it is indispensable for such understanding that all men
have full freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
4.Totalitarianism, Colonialism, Imperialism:
Student journalists should pursue and condemn
totalitarianism, colonialism, and imperialism in all
their forms as these are systems opposed to the highest
aspirations of students around the world;
5.Student Dignity: Student journalism, recognizing its
responsibility as a medium of expression and
orientation, declares that it will try to be effective in
favor of student an human rights in accordance with
various resolutions of the International
Student Press Conference which says that:

“…all people should have access to an education

enabling them to realize their full potentialities and
available equally to all without regard for color,
economic circumstances, sex, political or religious
convictions and social standing; that all people should
be free to develop their educational systems in
keeping with their own culture and traditions:
 Selection of
Publication Staff
How editors and staff members chosen for
publication?
1.There should be a moderator or an adviser who must
posses the following:
 with a degree in journalism – bachelor, master or
specialization, or one with a degree in English.
 with experience in newspaper work or one with
more than ordinary experience in journalism or
school paper work.
Whether the editors and staff members are chosen
through recommendations or competitive
examination, the following pointers are
recommended:
1.The candidate should have at least one year
residence.
2.The candidate should not be in the probation list.
3.He/She must not have any disciplinary case against
him/her, because there is a likely chance for him to
drop or to be suspended.
4. The chief, associate, and managing editors should
not hold other major positions in school
organizations, especially in the student council or
student government. The press is supposed to be
objective and non-partisan.
 Duties and
Responsibilities
of the Publication
Staff
Duties and Responsibilities of the Publication Staff
1. Chief Editor – supervises the editorial staff of the
paper. Usually, he/she writes the editorials of the
organ after consultation with the members of the
editorial staff.
2. Associate Editor – edits the articles in cooperation
with the chief editor. Also, he/she delegated to
write editorials of the organ. He prepares the
assignments of section editors in consultation with
the chief editor.
3. Managing Editor – acting as the hand of the
board, brings articles to the press for typesetting.
He/She also checks articles for typographical
errors. He/She prepared the layout of the paper and
paging of the same in consultation with chief
editor. Finally, he/she proofreads galley proofs
before these are finally approved by the chief
editor, then by the adviser for printing.
4. Circulation Manager – assigned in ensuring the
release and distribution of the paper. He/She
guarantees the smooth flow of the passing of
articles from reporters to section editors.
5. Section Editors
a)News Editor – assigned as the reporter to cover
events relevant to the school activities, he/she
writes news articles on assignment from the chief
editor or through his/her own initiative in
consultation with the latter. He/She edits all news
articles submitted by the writers preparatory to
submission of the same to the chief editor then to
the adviser.
b)Filipino Editor –writes the editorial of the
Filipino Section. He/She edits all articles for
submission to Filipino adviser.
c)Feature Editor - gives out assignments to
feature writers. He/she receives and edits feature
articles preparatory to the submission of the same
to the chief editor. Sometimes, he/she writes
regular articles or column.
d)Exchange Editor – makes up a list of school
papers sent by other schools. He/She is
designated to mail copies of own paper to these
schools as he/she also files their papers on a
bulletin board.
e)Layout Section Editors – assigned to cause the
assignment of the school’s official photographer
to take pictures on school’s activities for the
month or for a specified time. They prepare
pictorial articles of the organ in consultation with
the managing editor and chief editor. Sometimes,
they write captions of pictures utilized by the
paper.
f)Layout Artists – designing and formatting of all
pages in the paper.
6.The Reporters – secure the cold and raw facts of
an assigned event and write articles out of the
same. They receive documents from the section
editors or board of editors.
The Publication
Policies
Publication Policies
A well-edited paper needs definite policies which may
pertain to what it may print or to what the staff may
conduct.
Policies are brief statements of the paper’s platform or
are sometimes printed under the masthead, as in the
following examples:
-To support all school projects and to give only
constructive criticism of some projects
-To maintain a high standard of sportsmanship by
avoiding personal enmity and jealousy both within and
outside the school
- To refrain from publishing articles which convey
wrong impressions against the school, and

- To avoid unkind personal jokes, criticisms and

caricatures
QUIZ/ACTIVITY
CHAPTER II
The Campus Paper
and the
Publication Staff
The National Paper
A newspaper is a publication sold and distributed
regularly in a fixed interval. It may be monthly-bi-
monthly, weekly, daily, etc. and this is because
newspapers fall under the category ‘periodicals’.

Usually, news in newspaper is meant to be

persuasive, and this is why some news includes
opinions and comments that stimulate reactions from
the readers.
Dailies – published daily
Weeklies – published weeklies
National papers are widely available and easily
bought.
Categories of National Papers
1.Popular papers – present their news in a lively
fashion with easy-to-read articles and many
photographs.
2.Heavy or quality papers – are printed with longer
articles stressing on important and serious events in
the country.
The Campus Paper
Campus paper is the version of the national
newspaper within an academic institution.
It is a pioneer in the publishing industry as a free
newspaper of the students by the students and for the
students.
It may broaden its reach like the community and
other agencies in the society.
The Campus Paper
With the advent of the Campus Journalism Act of
1991, otherwise known as Republic Act 7079, the
establishment of campus publication in basic
education and in higher learning institutions has been
legalized.
ORIGIN OF CAMPUS recognized as the
JORNALISM first student
On a 4”x6” sheet of paper, publication in the
Samuel Fickle Fox penned the English-speaking
first issue of The Students world.
Gazette on July 11, 1777 at the
William Penn Charter School in
Philadelphia, USA. Published
continuously until August 1778,
when the British soldiers closed
the school, The Gazette is
In the Philippines, the University of the Philippines
started publishing its magazine College Folio in
October 1910 and printed the works of the first
promising writers in English. In 1912, the graduates
of Manila High School published their English
writings in The Coconut. The following year, 1913,
the Philippine Normal School introduced its
publication, The Torch.
FUNCTIONS OF CAMPUS PAPER
Aid to Students
•Provides opportunity for interesting writing
•Gives students the opportunity to learn how to read
the newspapers.
•Acts as stimulus to better work.
•Develop students’ power of observation and
discrimination concerning relative merits of news
articles
•Serves as outlet and motivation for journalistic
writing.
• Offers training in organizations, business methods,
commercial arts, salesmanship, bookkeeping and
business management.
• Develops qualities of cooperation, tact, accuracy,
tolerance, responsibility, and leadership
FUNCTIONS OF CAMPUS PAPER
Aid to School and Community
•Informs the community of the work of the school.
•Publishes school news
•Creates and expresses school opinions
•Makes known the achievements of the school
•Helps unify the school
•Encourages and stimulates worthwhile activities
•Develop right standard of conduct
•Provides an outlet for students’ suggestions for the
betterment of the school
• Develops better interschool relationship
• Develops school spirit
• Develops cooperation between the parents and the
school
OTHER FUNCTIONS OF CAMPUS PAPER
1.Information Function - function of the news in the
campus paper – to inform.
2.Opinion Function – function of the news in campus
paper – to persuade.
3.Education Function – one of the primordial functions
of a campus paper which function is to educate.
4.Watchdog Function – the school paper serves as the
harbinger of truth in the campus. The writers are the eyes
of the readers to see what is happening in the school.
5. Laboratory Function – the school paper is a
miniature version of the daily newspaper where all
rights and privileges, including concepts and skills
in journalism are practiced. With this, the school
paper becomes an avenue of teaching budding
journalists, and a training ground for full-pledged
journos someday.
6. Documentation Function – the paper serves as a
posterity tool of worthy and must-be-remembered
occasions in the campus.
7. Entertainment Function – a mini version of a
nationals newspaper, where entertainment section
exists, the school paper likewise showcases
features stories to stimulate the soul and to feed the
brain at the same time.
8. Developmental Function – in a developing
country like the Philippines, scholastic and
commercial journalism has been given greater and
nobler significance. The sources of new journalists
are also the school.
Parts/Sections of a
Newspaper
 A. Front Page
This contains the most
important news both here
and abroad. It is usually
found on the front page of
the newspaper. The title

of the most important news is printed in big bold

letters called ‘banner headline’.
Parts of the Front Page
a.Nameplate – the engraved or printed name of the
newspaper, as the Manila Times or PNC Torch.
b.Ears – the little boxes on either side of the
template.
c.Banner – the principal headline bearing the
boldest and biggest type. It is the title of the most
important news of the day which is called ‘banner
news’. It may or may not run cross the page. It may
also be called ‘streamer’.
d.Running head – a head made up of tow or more
lines.
e. Headline – the title of any news story. The word
headline is used only for the titles of news
stories.
f. Deck – a subordinate headline placed
immediately below its mother headline, also
known as bank or readout.
g. Lead – the beginning of a news story. It may be a
word, a group of words, a sentence, or even a
paragraph.
h. News story – the whole story of an event
composed of the lead and the text which is the
elaboration of the lead.
i. Columns – the horizontal division into parts of a
newspaper. Many national papers are divided
into eight columns while typical school paper is
divided into five columns of 12 ems each.
j. Column rule - the vertical line that divides the
page into columns. Most pages of newspaper are
divided into columns by a space usually one em
wide. This space is called the ‘sunken rule’.
k. Fold – the imaginary horizontal line that divides
the newspaper equally into two parts.
l. Byline – the signature of a reporter preceding an
news-feature, as By Warren Cruz.
m.
m. Box
Box –– news
news materials
materials enclosed
enclosed byby line
line rules.
rules.
n.
n. Cut
Cut –– aa metal
metal plate
plate bearing
bearing aa newspaper’s
newspaper’s
illustration also known as clich
illustration also known as cliché. é .
o. Cutline –- the text accompanying photos and
o. Cutline
other art work, better known as caption. It is
written above the photo just like a slugline called
an overline.
p. Over line – a type of cutline written or shown
above the photo.
q. Kicker – a tagline placed above but smaller than
a headline, also know as teaser. If it is bigger
than the headline, it is called a hammer.
r.
m. Hammer
Box – news – amaterials
type of kicker but the
enclosed difference
by line rules. is
n. that
Cut –a hammer is bigger
a metal plate thana the
bearing headline.
newspaper’s
s. Credit Line - a line giving the
illustration also known as cliché. source of story or
Cutline - as Reprinted from the “Manila
o. illustration,
Times” or Photo by MPL.
 Ears:
The little
boxes on
Ears: either side
The little of the
boxes on template.
either side
of the
template.

Column:
the horizontal
division into
parts of a
newspaper.
 B. News Page
 An event that possible
happened a day or two
before paper hits the press
or printing machine.
 Inverted pyramid-
structure – most important
part of the story comes
first.
 3. Editorial/Column Page
 Infographics on
students opinion on a
current issue.
 Letter to the editor
(school issue0
 Columns (local and
national issues)
 4. Feature Page
 Offers more profiles/staff profiles/an
creativity – allows ongoing issue in the
writer to write an school.
engaging lead rather
than bog you down
with a straitlaced
news sentence.
 Can compromise
long form
storytelling/student
5. Community Development Page
 An event in the
community or in school
that could add a further
dimension to the
understanding of the
social conditions not only
of the editors/writers but
also the readers.
6. Science and Technology Page
6. Science and Technology Page
6. Science and Technology Page
 7. Sports Page
This page contains news
about sports events in and out
of the country. It also
contains people well-know in
sports.
QUIZ/ACTIVITY
CHAPTER III
The News:
A Backgrounder
Understanding News
-News is any oral or written report of an event that
happened, is happening, will happen in the North,
East, West, South (NEWS). – Soriano et. Al. (2012)
-News is basically about an event, idea or a reaction
that is presented factually and simply in written form
to give the reader an idea of what is currently
happening around him/her, particularly on matters of
interest to the community. – Malinao (2008)
- News is a timely factual report of events, ideas or
situations interesting or significant to people. –
Estrada and Singh (1987)
- News is any information that is significant to a
particular set of readers. – Puig and Flores (2005)
- News is a reportage of accurate facts, events and
ideas that interest a large number of readers. –
Soriano and Henson (1999)
News in School Papers
-Writing the concept of news in mind, a student
journalist should remember that anything that
concerns the school, its students, the teachers,
including the parents is newsworthy.
-News in school may include worthwhile or
extraordinary
 Characteristics of a
Good News
Characteristics of a Good News
1.Timeliness or Immediacy
The characteristics of a news item underscores the
newest angle of the story.

Example:
The changing of the grading system which was
announced yesterday is more appealing to a student
than the Christmas Party last December 21.
(the more recent the event, the more appealing it is)
2. Conflict
The physical and mental struggles of persons
are also newsworthy. I
Examples:
- Competitions like oratorical contests and quiz bees
are newsworthy due to the mental conflicts
present. - - Sports events during intramurals or
foundation days are newsworthy, too, as they
have physical conflicts.
2. Proximity or Nearness
proximity – refers to geographical location, likewise
means the nearness of interest and appeal.
Examples:
-The news in the campus or school for students in
Mindoro, what is happening to John Paul College
will be more of interest to them than what is
happening in Batangas State University.
-The imposition of ‘no cellphone policy’ in John
Paul College will interest the Roxase ños’ readers
more than the zero tuition scheme of Palawan State
University.
4. Accuracy
Journalism is anchored on facts. News writing is
a journalistic skill. Therefore, the contents should
be accurately reported. Accuracy refers to the
factualness of news as purveyor of truth.

5. Significance
A writer should survey whatever is significant to
the life of the target readers and write about it. So
when the news is important, the news bears a
high degree of significance.
6. Prominence and Names
‘The world is unfair’, so the adage goes. There
are persons more popular than others. Popular
names can affect situations and their acts may be
more interesting to others. For campus papers,
prominent personalities include the president, the
chairman of the board, the vice-president, the
president of student council.

7. Drama
Writers should bank on any story that can lead the
writers to crying or to laughing. Such story is
packed with color; thus subjects are moving. In this
way, the news becomes appealing to the readers.
Example:

You write a story of the student leader who manages

to graduate as magna cum laude despite his five-year
term as the College Coordinating Council President.

8.Oddity or Unusualness
Sociology can explain why oddity is a good element
of news. A theory explains that when persons are
curious about a phenomenon deviating from a
natural course, they will be interested in such a topic
or issue; hence, that topic becomes newsworthy.

Example:
One may write about a forty-year-old student who
has just graduated; he has just finished his fifth
bachelor’s degree in your college.

This unusual situation may be so intriguing as

regards the student’s purpose, therefore, becoming
more newsworthy to the readers.
9. Romance and Adventure
‘Love makes the world go round,’ so a song says.
Hence stories about love, including adventure,
may ignite the taste of the reading public. This is
also the reason why showbiz news continuously
booms.

10. Progress
Attaining breakthroughs and achieving scientific
discoveries are given much attention by the
readers. This attribute of the news gives a high
degree of shock and a sense of development in
the society where the persons live.
Example:
Progress may be in the form a newly constructed
building and newly donated laboratory equipment
from alumni abroad.
11.Numbers
For persuasion, statistics or figures have the power
to shake the conviction of the audience. This is why
numbers yield a very strong impact on the readers.
Example:
The Alumni Association donated one computer set
last January, while the Parent Teachers Association
donated 57 computer sets to the school.
 Types of News
Stories
Types of News Stories
News stories may fall under any of the following
types according to:
1. Scope or Origin
o Local news – report of events that take a place
within the immediate locality.
o National news – news that takes place within the
country.
o Foreign news – news that takes place outside the
country.
o Dateline news – news preceded by the date and
place of origin or place where it was written.
2. Chronology or sequence
o Advance or anticipated – news published before
its occurrence, sometimes called dope or
prognostication. The reporter foretells events
expected to occur at a definite time in the future.
o Spot news – news that is gathered and reporter on
the spot. It deals with unscheduled information
demanding immediate publication. The report
himself is an eyewitness to the event that took
place.
o Coverage news – news written from a given beat.
Both a spot news and coverage news are good
examples of first-hand reporting.
 oFollow-up news – a sequel to a previous story.
Having a new lead of its own, it is a second,
third or subsequent chapter of a serial.
3.Structure
oStraight News – consists of facts given
straight without embellishment. Its main aim is
to inform. It uses the summary lead and is
written using the inverted pyramid structure.
oNews feature – is based on facts, but it
entertains more than it informs. It uses
suspended interest structure like the narrative.
4. Treatment
o Fact story – a plain exposition setting forth a
single situation or a series of closely related
facts to inform. It written in inverted pyramid
design.
o Action story – a narrative of actions involving
not mere simple facts but also of dramatic
events, description of persons and events,
perhaps testimony of witnesses, as well as
explanatory data.
o Speech report – a news report written from an
interview.
o Quote story – speeches, statements, and letters,
and to some extent, interviews when reported,
are regarded as quote stories. All are based on
recorded information, either written or spoken,
and transcribed by the reporter in the form of
news.
o Interview story – a news report written from an
interview.
o Hard news – events such as killings, city
council meetings and speeches by leading
government officials.
o Soft news – events such as lunch to honor a
retiring school principal of or boy scouting
jamboree are not usually considered
immediately important or timely to a wide
audience.
5. Content
o Routine story – celebrations, enrollment,
graduation, election stories reported year in and
year out.
o Police reports – accident, fire, calamity, crime
stories, etc.
o Science news
o Developmental news
o Sports stories
6. Minor forms
o News brief – a short item of news interest, written
like a brief telegraphic message, giving mainly the
result with details.
o News bulletin – is similar to the lead of a straight
news story. Its aim is just to give the gist of the
news.
o News featurette – is a short news feature usually
used as filter, e.g., “Quirks in the news.”
o News featurette – a bulletin that conveys the first
word of an event.
Source of News
Sources of News
1.Beat – is the stable assignment of the reporter.
2.Written and Printed Documents – includes public
documents – either electronically or physically posted.
3.Observation – may be done through a keen
empirical observation.
4.Tips from Co-writers, Teachers and Students
5.Gantt Chart of Schedule of Calendar of Activities
6.Interviewing Key Informants – gathering of
information on a person-to-person basis, straight from
the experts of any resource person.
7. Blogs – are alternative points of view to traditional
media.
8. Citizen Journalism – the trend is facilitated by
digital and cell phone cameras and high speed
internet access.
9. Hyperlocal News – news referring to news
coverage for a very small community. Most
hyperlocal news appears on web sites.
 Structure of
News
 information they MUST have for your
communication to be successful
Inverted-Pyramid
Style – tradition news
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 Rules of Thumb
in News
Gathering
Rules of Thumb in News Gathering
1.See for yourself. Nothing is more vivid when one
see the event right before his own eyes. Becoming the
first-hand witness, other than gathering through
hearsay, keeps the spontaneity of ideas of the writer.
2.Find the person who knows. The writer should go
directly to the person who is considered as the key
participant of the issue. Such a person may give the
writer a sense of confidence that what he/she will
write is taken from the statements and ideas of the
persons, rather than surmising the ideas, effects and
impacts of an issue.
3. Compare all versions. A writer must not rely
solely on one version. As discussed in the previous
chapter, one should set myriads of perspectives, so
as to limit the holes of biases.
4. Be tactful and courteous. A writer is respectful of
time. Hence, he should focus only on the data
needed. He should avoid spending the time of the
interviewee in futile topics.
5. Make and keep friends. Dependable informants
are most valued assets, especially when a writer is
assigned in a single beat throughout the academic
yar.
6. Print it. This rule of thumb reminds a writer or a
journalist that unpublished news is wasted. The fact
that one has gathered data, the news is now
considered a newsworthy item.
QUIZ/ACTIVITY
CHAPTER IV
Interview
 Interview:
Its Nature and
Concept
Interview – the process of “dyadic, relational
communication, with a predetermined and serious
purpose designed to interchange behavior involving
the asking and answering of questions. – Soriano and
Henson, 1998
– a conversation between two people (the interviewer
and the interviewee) where questions are asked by the
interviewer to obtain information from the
interviewee.
 Kinds of
Interviews
Kinds of Interview
1.Face-to-face interview
 This is a tradition interview and the most
common type.
 In this interview, the candidate and the
interviewer meets face-to-face.
 The main concept of the interview is to build
rapport with the interviewer and show how the
qualifications will benefit their organization.
 The interviewee should maintain eye contact,
and respond to all the question of the
interviewer.
2. Panel Interview
 Comprises more than two members
interviewing a person.
 The interviewee should try to connect with
each interviewer and the best way to do this
is to read the personality of each interviewer
3. Phone Interview
 Phone interviews are increasingly used in
interviewing nowadays since the pandemic
hampers us to communicate in person.
4. Group Interview
 Main purpose of this interview is to see how
the interviewer interacts with others and
how he/she influences others with
knowledge and reason.

5. Stress Interview
 This kind of interview is rare in any
interviewing scenario. It was very common
interview method when selecting respondents.
 Handling
Interview in
News Gathering
Let us study the key points in such definition to
bull’s eye the meaning:
1.Dyadic denotes that the interview is a person-to-
person interaction between two parties.
2.Relational strongly suggests an interpersonal
connection between the interview parties.

3.Predetermined and serious purpose means that at

least one of the two parties comes to the interview with
a goal and has planned the interview to focus on
specific subject matter.
4. Interchanging behavior connotes sharing of
expectations, roles, feelings and information.
5. Asking and answering questions (taken as a
single process) is crucial to the interviewing
process; questions serve as tools to obtain
information.
 Stages in
Interview
Some tips in Conducting Interview using GOSS,
developed by Rue de Guilleland.
1.Know your Goal or purpose.
2.Present Obstacle encountered.
3.Offer Solutions to these obstacles.
4.Start writing the interview story.
 Steps in
Conducting
Interview
1. Define the purpose.
2. Conduct a background research of the topic you are
assigned to.
3. Set an interview appointment.
4. Make preliminary planning by listing down
possible questions.
Six Questions in Interviewing (iH & 5W’s)
Example:
a.Who was the proponent of the program?
b.Who were the benefactors?
c.Who were the participants?
d.Who else attended the activity?
e.Who may be benefited by the program?
5. Meet the interviewee.
6. Get down to business. Ask the first question.
7. Establish early rapport, that is, from formal to
less formal.
8. Tackle the more sensitive topic with respect and
tactfulness.
9. Express some recovery statements.
10. Leave a thank you note.
 Thank you
& God bless!
PRELIM
EXAM