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Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
ATS1328 – Lecture 1
What is news?Introduction to unit
Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
Today What is news Course structure Unit requirements
Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
What is news?
London G-20 protests 2009…and the Ian Tomlinson affair
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYM3KOByTDwNews is, firstly, THE TRUTH. You can’t make it up. We don’t want your opinion.
Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
News vs opinion Journalists write for their readership and
audiences – never themselves Comment and opinion are NOT news Journalists must distinguish between news,
comment and opinion Mixing them has legal implications People do not like being told what to think!
Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
What is news?
London G-20 protests 2009…and the Ian Tomlinson affair
News is, firstly, THE TRUTH. You can’t make it up. We don’t want your opinion. You must get the facts right.
Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
interest timeliness clarity
What is news?
Masterton’s “essential” news values:
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Masterton’s “big six” news values (in order):1. Significance/impact2. Proximity3. Conflict4. Human interest 5. Novelty – rare or unusual6. Prominence
What is news?
Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
Anything that makes a reader say ‘Gee whiz!’ (Arthur MacEwen 1971)
News is information about a break from the normal flow of events, an interruption in the expected
News is information people need to make sound decisions about their lives (Melvin Mencher 1997)
Definitions of news
Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
The first rough draft of history (Philip Graham, former publisher Washington Post)
News is what somebody somewhere wants to suppress; all the rest is advertising. (Lord Northcliffe, publisher 1865-1922)
Journalism is literature in a hurry. (Matthew Arnold, British poet and critic)
Definitions of news
Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
The real news is bad news. (Marshall Mcluhan, communications theorist)
Journalism consists largely in saying Lord Jones died to people who never knew Lord Jones was alive. (G.K. Chesterton, British writer)
People may expect too much of journalism. Not only do they expect it to be entertaining, they expect it to be true. (Lewis H.Lapham, American publisher and editor, b. 1935)
Definitions of news
Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
Who decides? News-making decision maker (“gatekeepers”):
– Editors– Chiefs-of-staff– News producers: broadcast, online and radio
The public:– readers, listeners, viewers
The new world of “citizen journalism”
Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
How do they decide? Instinct – they understand their audience Big stories are obvious, eg natural disasters,
terrorist attacks Response to market research and focus
groups An interesting photo, sound grab or video
Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
Context of news
Influenced by: culture climate beliefs
political orientation religious orientation sex education level
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The functions of news media are to: Inform Educate Entertain
The media’s role
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The media’s role
“Fourth Estate” role Help keep governments honest Help us view our world in context Warn of dangers and deceptions Help right injustices Expose hypocrisy
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The media’s role
Other roles Promote health and safety Help us make informed choices Allow us to express our opinions and feelings Draw communities together in times of
trouble
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Two types of reporting
Reactive: comes from a newsworthy event – something happens, a journalist reports the story
Proactive: comes from an idea, research, tip or discovery – includes investigative articles, exposes and exclusive interviews
Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
Unit requirements
Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
The course
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Read it!• Learning objectives(p.1)
Unit guide
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Schedule:“print”
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Schedule:radio
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• Minimum requirements• Penalties for non-compliance – possible failure
of unit(Unit guide p. 6)
• Weekly readings – essential • Tutor and Unit Coordinator contact details
(front page of guide)
Attendance
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Assessments
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Essential textsLamble, S., 2011, News As It Happens, OUP, South MelbournePhillips, G., Lindgren, M., 2006, Australian Broadcast Journalism, 2nd edition, OUP, South Melbourne
Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
• See Unit schedule• Weekly readings – essential • Tutor and Unit Coordinator contact details
(front page of guide)
Weekly reading
Prepared by Gail Loader. © 2010 Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
• See Unit guide• Robert Carey
– Phone: 9903 4093 – [email protected] – Room B4.36
Contacts
