Thinking about "The Elements of Journalism"
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The document discusses key principles of journalism as outlined by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel, emphasizing the importance of truth, citizen loyalty, verification, and independence from power. It raises questions about the relationship between journalism and public interest, as well as the ethical responsibilities of journalists and the role of citizens in seeking trustworthy news. Additional topics include the need for comprehensive coverage and the significance of making important news relevant to the audience.
Thinking about "The Elements of Journalism"
- 1. “The Elements of Journalism” Questions and issues raised by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel’s classic guide to journalistic practices
- 2. 1. Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth
- 3. 1. Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth • What is the difference between truth and accuracy?
- 4. 1. Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth • What is the difference between truth and accuracy? • Is it possible for journalism to determine the truth? Don’t we just report what people say?
- 5. 1. Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth • What is the difference between truth and accuracy? • Is it possible for journalism to determine the truth? Don’t we just report what people say? • How might notions of objectivity get in the way of reporting the truth?
- 6. 2. Its first loyalty is to citizens
- 7. 2. Its first loyalty is to citizens • How does journalism in the public interest square with the need to make money?
- 8. 2. Its first loyalty is to citizens • How does journalism in the public interest square with the need to make money? • How might putting profits ahead of the public interest be a poor business strategy?
- 9. 2. Its first loyalty is to citizens • How does journalism in the public interest square with the need to make money? • How might putting profits ahead of the public interest be a poor business strategy? • Do First Amendment protections have anything to do with our obligations?
- 10. 3. Its essence is a discipline of verification
- 11. 3. Its essence is a discipline of verification • How does this differ from what Kovach and Rosenstiel call the “journalism of assertion”?
- 12. 3. Its essence is a discipline of verification • How does this differ from what Kovach and Rosenstiel call the “journalism of assertion”? • How does the discipline of verification relate to Lippmann’s original notion of objectivity?
- 13. 3. Its essence is a discipline of verification • How does this differ from what Kovach and Rosenstiel call the “journalism of assertion”? • How does the discipline of verification relate to Lippmann’s original notion of objectivity? • Why is original reporting considered part of the discipline of verification?
- 14. 4. Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover
- 15. 4. Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover • How far should we go? Political contributions? Lawn signs? Voting?
- 16. 4. Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover • How far should we go? Political contributions? Lawn signs? Voting? • Why should opinion journalists maintain the same standards as straight news reporters?
- 17. 4. Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover • How far should we go? Political contributions? Lawn signs? Voting? • Why should opinion journalists maintain the same standards as straight news reporters? • At a time when “who’s a journalist?” is obsolete, how should we evaluate non- independent acts of journalism?
- 18. 5. It must serve as an independent monitor of power
- 19. 5. It must serve as an independent monitor of power • How is this different from #4?
- 20. 5. It must serve as an independent monitor of power • How is this different from #4? • “Watching over the powerful few in society on behalf of the many to guard against tyranny”
- 21. 5. It must serve as an independent monitor of power • How is this different from #4? • “Watching over the powerful few in society on behalf of the many to guard against tyranny” • Are stories such as “Consumers Believe Mattresses Made Them Sick” part of journalism’s watchdog role?
- 22. 6. It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise
- 23. 6. It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise • Why should journalism provide such a forum when there are so many outlets?
- 24. 6. It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise • Why should journalism provide such a forum when there are so many outlets? • Can’t comments sections of news sites serve as a public forum?
- 25. 6. It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise • Why should journalism provide such a forum when there are so many outlets? • Can’t comments sections of news sites serve as a public forum? • What would a useful forum for criticism and compromise look like?
- 26. 7. It must strive to make the significant interesting and relevant
- 27. 7. It must strive to make the significant interesting and relevant • What is the problem with downplaying political stories in favor of gossip and advice?
- 28. 7. It must strive to make the significant interesting and relevant • What is the problem with downplaying political stories in favor of gossip and advice? • Again, does the First Amendment suggest we have a obligation greater than to entertain?
- 29. 7. It must strive to make the significant interesting and relevant • What is the problem with downplaying political stories in favor of gossip and advice? • Again, does the First Amendment suggest we have a obligation greater than to entertain? • Does endless coverage of celebrities and sports contradict the purpose of journalism?
- 30. 8. It must keep the news comprehensive and in proportion
- 31. 8. It must keep the news comprehensive and in proportion • How would you apply this standard to the media’s coverage of Zika?
- 32. 8. It must keep the news comprehensive and in proportion • How would you apply this standard to the media’s coverage of Zika? • What about continuous live coverage of stories such as police shootings?
- 33. 8. It must keep the news comprehensive and in proportion • How would you apply this standard to the media’s coverage of Zika? • What about continuous live coverage of stories such as police shootings? • If you were running a news organization, how might you do things differently?
- 34. 9. Its practitioners have an obligation to exercise their personal conscience
- 35. 9. Its practitioners have an obligation to exercise their personal conscience • What moral compass should a journalist follow when working on her own?
- 36. 9. Its practitioners have an obligation to exercise their personal conscience • What moral compass should a journalist follow when working on her own? • What might an editor ask you to do that you would consider to be unethical?
- 37. 9. Its practitioners have an obligation to exercise their personal conscience • What moral compass should a journalist follow when working on her own? • What might an editor ask you to do that you would consider to be unethical? • Have you ever found yourself in such a situation? What did you do?
- 38. 10. Citizens, too, have rights and responsibilities when it comes to the news
- 39. • At a time of exponential rise in media outlets, what do you rely on for trustworthy news?
- 40. • At a time of exponential rise in media outlets, what do you rely on for trustworthy news? • Do the media you use adhere to the principles in “The Elements of Journalism”?
- 41. • At a time of exponential rise in media outlets, what do you rely on for trustworthy news? • Do the media you use adhere to the principles in “The Elements of Journalism”? • Do you consult responsible sources of information about people and views with which you disagree?
- 42. 11. TK