Introduction to

Journalism
Journalism Principles and Practices
Definition of journalism and its
significance in society
• Practice of gathering, verifying, and presenting news
and information to the public.
• The role of journalism in a democratic society: informing
citizens, facilitating public discourse, and acting as a
watchdog.
Historical Evolution of
Journalism

• Historical journey: From oral

storytelling to digital age
• Milestones: Printing press, rise
of newspapers, impact of
technology
• Transformation: How
technology has reshaped
journalism practices
Types of Journalism
• Print Journalism:
oMagazines.
oBooks.
oBillboards.
oPosters.
oFlyers.
oCatalogs.
oCoupons.
Types of Journalism
• Broadcast Journalism:
oTelevision
o Radio
• Digital Journalism:
oOnline news platforms
oBlogs
• Citizen Journalism:
oAmateur individuals reporting news
Importance of Credibility
• Media narratives can shape public perceptions and attitudes.
• Media's agenda can influence societal concerns.
• Diverse perspectives: different media outlets might present
the same event in various ways, leading to differing
interpretations.
• This diversity of perspectives can both enrich public discourse
and create challenges in finding objective truth.
• Media Bias and Objectivity:
Journalism's Role in Society
• Informative role: Providing news, facts, context
oPrimary source of news and information
oGathering and verifying facts
oProviding balanced perspectives and context
Journalism's Role in Society
• Watchdog Role of Journalism
oRole: Holding powerful entities accountable
oInvestigative journalism: Exposing corruption,
injustices
oChallenges: Legal, ethical considerations
Journalism's Role in Society
• Agenda-Setting Function
oRole: Shaping public discourse and priorities
oInfluence on policy discussions and public opinion
oSelecting prominent stories and their impact
 News Values
Impact, timeliness, proximity, prominence, conflict, novelty,
human interest.
News Values
Impact
• How a story affects individuals, communities, or society.
• Stories with direct consequences or effects on people,
communities, or society.
• Example: A local charity raising funds for disaster relief.
Timeliness
• Emphasis on recent and current events.
• Example: Immediate coverage of election results as they are
announced.
News Values
Proximity
• Preference for stories relevant to the audience's location.
• Example: In-depth coverage of a local business that won a
national award.
Prominence
• Stories involving well-known individuals or celebrities.
• Example: Extensive reporting on a famous actor's charitable
foundation.
News Values
Conflict
• Stories involving tension, disagreement, or controversy.
• Example: Coverage of a protest demanding policy changes.
Human Interest
• Stories that evoke emotion, empathy, or curiosity.
• Example: A profile of a young cancer survivor's journey to inspire others.
Intersection of Values
• Stories often possess multiple news values.
• Example: A local celebrity visiting a school (prominence and human
interest).
Story Selection Process
• Editorial Meetings: Where newsroom staff discuss potential
stories.
• Editorial Judgment: Decisions based on news values,
audience interest, and journalistic integrity.
Reporting
• News Article
• Feature Articles
• Editorials
• Editorial Cartoons
• Letters to the Editor
• Photojournalism / Visual Storytelling
• Copy reading / Proofreading
• News casting / Broadcasting