Journalism Basics: Structure, Fact-checking, Ethics

Inverted Pyramid: Organize news reports with the most critical information at the beginning, followed by supporting details.
- Lead: Answers the who, what, where, when, why, and how.
- Body: Expands on the lead with additional details and context.
- Conclusion: Often includes background information or future implications.

Verification Process: Ensure facts are accurate by cross-referencing multiple reliable sources.
Tools: Use fact-checking websites and databases to confirm information.
Importance: Maintains credibility and trust with the audience, prevents misinformation.

Accuracy: Report facts truthfully and avoid sensationalism.
Balance: Present multiple viewpoints fairly, avoiding bias.
Confidentiality: Respect the privacy of sources, especially whistleblowers or vulnerable individuals.
Transparency: Disclose conflicts of interest and be honest about sources.

Clarity: Use clear, concise language to engage readers immediately.
Types of Leads:
- Summary Lead: Brief overview of the main event.
- Anecdotal Lead: Begins with a story that illustrates the main point.
- Question Lead: Poses a question to pique interest.
Length: Typically 1-2 sentences; should encourage readers to continue.

Direct Quotes: Use the exact words of a source to convey authenticity and emotion.
Paraphrasing: Summarize a source's ideas in your own words when the exact phrasing is not essential.
Attribution: Clearly attribute quotes to the source to maintain transparency and credibility.
Context: Provide context around quotes to enhance understanding for the reader.

Inverted Pyramid: Prioritizes important information at the start of reports, ensuring readers grasp the key details quickly.
Lead: Essential component answering all fundamental questions: who, what, where, when, why, and how.
Body: Follows the lead, offering expanded context and supplementary details to enrich the story.
Conclusion: Often provides background information or discusses future implications of the news event.

Verification Process: Critical to ensure factual accuracy by cross-referencing information from multiple reliable sources.
Tools: Utilize fact-checking websites and databases as resources to confirm and validate claims.
Importance: Upholds credibility and trust with audiences while preventing the spread of misinformation.

Accuracy: Commitment to truthful reporting; avoid sensationalism to maintain integrity.
Balance: Present diverse viewpoints fairly to eliminate bias in reporting.
Confidentiality: Safeguard the privacy of sources, particularly whistleblowers or individuals in vulnerable situations.
Transparency: Essential to disclose any conflicts of interest and provide honesty about sources used.

Clarity: Emphasize clear and concise language to capture reader interest from the outset.
Types of Leads:
- Summary Lead: Offers a brief synopsis of the main news event.
- Anecdotal Lead: Starts with a story that exemplifies the principal theme.
- Question Lead: Engages readers by posing a thought-provoking question.
Length: Typically consists of 1-2 sentences, crafted to entice readership and encourage further engagement.

Direct Quotes: Utilize exact wording from a source to convey authenticity and evoke emotion.
Paraphrasing: Summarize a source's ideas in one’s own words when the exact phrasing is not crucial.
Attribution: Clearly attribute quotes to their sources to maintain transparency and bolster credibility.
Context: Provide surrounding context for quotes to aid reader understanding and enhance the overall narrative.

Inverted Pyramid: Prioritizes essential information at the top, addressing key questions (who, what, where, when, why) followed by less critical details.
Narrative Style: Engages readers through storytelling, structured with a clear beginning, middle, and end, often utilized in feature or human-interest articles.
Point of View:
- Objective: Adheres to factual reporting without personal bias.
- Subjective: Includes personal opinions, which should be clearly identified to avoid confusion.
Broadcast vs. Print:
- Broadcast: Utilizes shorter sentences and simpler language, prioritizing visual and auditory elements.
- Print: Allows for greater detail and the exploration of complex stories in depth.

Accuracy: Emphasizes the necessity of verifying information to ensure it is factual.
Fairness and Balance: Requires presenting multiple viewpoints to provide a comprehensive perspective and avoid bias.
Transparency: Mandates the disclosure of sources and any potential conflicts of interest to uphold credibility.
Confidentiality: Ensures the protection of sources' identities, especially in sensitive situations, when requested.
Public Interest: Guides the priority of reporting to focus on content that benefits the community and enhances public knowledge.

Headline: Captures attention and succinctly summarizes the story's main point.
Lead: The introductory paragraph containing the most crucial information encapsulated in the 5 Ws (who, what, where, when, why).
Body: Expands on the lead by providing supporting details, relevant quotes, and additional context necessary for understanding.
Quotes: Incorporates direct quotes from sources to lend authenticity and perspective to the report.
Conclusion: Summarizes the report, potentially including future implications, developments, or a call to action.
Attribution: Ensures that sources of information are clearly credited, reinforcing the report's credibility.