TOPIC 1
CHANGING CONCEPTS
OF NEWS
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Peter M. Zollman:
“Media organizations must be prepared to
provide information on variety of devices.
You have to serve your audience with content and
information they want in whatever form they want
it. That means, print, audio, video on any device
they want. People will want the information they
want when they want it. Your deadline is
whenever the heck you get it and make it
available to your audiences.”
Continuation…
In 21st century, convergence took different
form.
Media organizations merging with other
companies that could provide the audio and
video for their online sites
Even as the media continue to converge, it’s
likely all types of media will continue to
survive in their distinct forms for many
years.
2. Impact on Journalism
Journalists regularly use Internet as
reporting tool
Three out of four journalists go online daily
In a study, half of 4,000 respondents used
Web for article research and story ideas
E-mail has become additional reporting
tool, though does not replace face-to-face or
telephone interview
1.1.1 CHANGING DELIVERY OF NEWS
Blogs: The term “blog” is short
for “weblog” because blogs are
posted on the Web, particularly in
free social networking sites such as
Facebook or MySpace. A blog can
be a personal journal or brief
commentary about any topic and can
include audio or video.
Continuation…
Podcast: This is digital media
information in audio or video form
distributed over the Internet for use on a
portable media player such as an iPod, an
instrument developed by Apple Inc., or
an MP3 player. Pod is an abbreviation
for “portable on demand”. You don’t
need an iPod to hear or view a podcast;
you can receive it on your computer with
the use of software.
Continuation
RSS: These letters stand for “Really Simple
Syndication”, which is probably simpler to use
than to define. If you want to receive certain
blogs or podcasts regularly, you can subscribe
to a site using a Web feed reader called an
“aggregator” that will compile them and
deliver them to you. You insert a link to the
site into the aggregator software (see next
item). Search engines such as Google or
Yahoo! offer to deliver automatic updates of
news via RSS feeds. These feeds, delivered to
your e-mail, contain headlines, summaries and
links to the articles.
Continuation…
Aggregator: This is a software that
compiles or collects certain Web sites that
you want delivered to you regularly and
pushes them to you via e-mail or
automatically downloads them to you into a
portable media player. The aggregator is
also known as a feed reader because it
“reads” the sites it will “feed” to you. It
checks them for new material and
downloads updates to your computer or
portable media device.
1.1.2 ECONOMIC CHANGES IN MEDIA
The changing face of the media isn’t just in the
content and delivery of news; it is in the economics.
Journalists who got into the business years ago with
the idealistic notion that the primary concern of
media companies was content became disillusioned
by the emphasis on economics; and several editors at
major newspapers like the Los Angeles Times quit in
protest.
The times were changing and the news business was
just that – a business that was supposed to make a
profit.
1.1.3 CONVERGENT MEDIA WRITING
The study, “The Future of News”, Bob Papper:
while people expressed support for traditional media in the
study, “they also made clear they want a whole range of new
media type options. In particular, they want news and
information on demand and many want to interact with that
news… People want their news to be right up-to-the-minute.
More than 90% of those surveyed say it is very or somewhat
important, and the figure is even higher for young adults.”
The research also suggests that news departments that survive
into the future will have to operate on many technological
platform at the same time.
The Garnett Company Inc. renamed its newsrooms,
“information centers”. In a memo to Garnett employees, Craig
Dubow, the company’s chief executive officer, explained : “The
Information Center, frankly, is the newsroom of the future.”
Hard News and Soft News (Features)
Hard News:
Includes stories of timely nature about
events or conflicts that have just
happened or about to happen, such as
crimes, fires, meetings, speeches and
court cases.
The hard approach is basically an account
of what happened, why it happened and
how readers will be affected
Continuation…
Soft News :
News that entertains or informs, with an
emphasis on human interest and
novelty and less immediacy than hard
news. For example, a profile or a diet
story. It can also focus on people,
places or issues that affect readers’ lives.
These types of stories are called “feature
stories”.
1.1.5. Qualities of News Stories
i. Timeliness
An event that happened that day or the day
before publication or an event that is due to
happen in the immediate future is
considered timely
This story is timely because it is published
the day after the incident
Continuation…
ii. Proximity
An event may be of interest to local
readers because it happened in or close
to the community
Continuation…
iii. Unusual Nature
Out-of-the-ordinary events, a bizarre or
rare occurrence, or people engaged in
Unusual activities are considered
newsworthy
Continuation…
iv. Celebrities
People who are well-known for their
accomplishments – primarily entertainers,
athletes or people who have gained fame for
achievements, good or bad – attract a lot of
attention
Continuation…
v. Human Interest
People like stories about people who have
special problems, achievements or
experiences. These stories can be profiles
or unusual stories about people that make
readers care about their plight
Continuation…
vi. Conflict
Stories involving conflicts that people have
with government or other people are often
newsworthy, especially when the conflict
reflects local problems
Continuation…
vii. Impact
Reaction stories to news events or news
angles that affect readers have impact,
especially when major national news stories
or tragedies occur in any community
Continuation…
viii. Helpfulness
Consumer, health and other how-to stories
help readers cope with their lives
Continuation…
ix. Entertainment
Stories that amuse readers, make them feel
good or help them to enjoy their leisure time
have entertainment value. In a broad
sense, many of the news features in sports
and lifestyle sections can be classified as
entertainment
Continuation…
x. Issues or Problems in the
Community
These stories usually include community
activities etc
Continuation…
xi. Trends
Stories may indicate patterns or shifts in
issues that influence readers’ lives, such as
increased in crime, social issues and other
forces in society
1.1.6 CURIOSITY AND STORY IDEAS
a. CURIOSITY
A good reporter also possesses curiosity.
To show, you need to observe.
To show and tell, you need to be curious.
You need to ask questions the reader will
want answered in the story
The Basics
5 WS, 1 H AND 1 SO WHAT:
WHO: Get the names of people involved,
complete with middle initials and always
check the spelling
WHAT: Get an account of what happened.
WHEN: Note the day and time of the event
Continuation…
WHERE: Get the location. Describe the
scene
WHY: Understand what caused the event
HOW: Seek more information about what
happened. How did it occur?
SO WHAT: What impact on the participants or
the readers?
b. OBSERVATION
A good reporter show and tell by
observing and gathering details with all
his senses : sight, sound, smell and less
often, taste and touch
Fact vs Opinion
You need to use your senses to gather
information but you should not express your
opinion in news stories, all opinions,
judgments and accusations must be
attributed to a source.
Reporters should keep their views out of the
story.
The writers let the readers form their own
opinions
1.2. WAYS TO FIND STORY IDEAS
i. Brainstorm
ii. Check databases
iii. Talk to people
iv. Check directories
v. Read local newspapers
vi. Read classified advertisements
vii. Localize national news
viii. Track programs and events
ix. Rewrite press releases
x. Be curious and concerned
1.3 THE INTERNET
The Internet has profound influence on the
way reporters and editors in all media are
gathering story ideas
Discussion groups
Search engines
Online news sites
1.4 IDEA BUDGETS
Some story ideas are assigned by editors
but most editors expect reporters to provide
their own story ideas if the reporter covers a
beat. Contact sources at your beat
regularly and ask what is going on in their
workplaces.
Locally, reporters check the assignment
book before they leave the office for the
day.
ENDS
