Journalism Sources and Practices Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary reason journalists rely on sources?

To gather firsthand observations

To gain access to expert opinions and personal accounts (correct)

To avoid biases in reporting

To share their personal opinions

How does bias in sourcing affect journalistic reporting?

It promotes diversity in source selection

It reduces the reliance on official sources

It ensures balanced representation of all voices

It leads journalists to favor similar voices and quick responses (correct)

Which group tends to have their 'truth' more readily accepted in journalistic sourcing?

Government officials (correct)

Non-profit organization representatives

Victims of crimes

Local community members

What role do NGOs play in the context of journalism?

They offer information but may have their own agendas Signup and view all the answers

What concept describes the continuous news production using crowdsourced information?

Ambient Journalism Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of user-generated content?

It blurs the lines between community contributions and professional reporting Signup and view all the answers

What can influence the level of trust in sources between different countries?

Cultural and political contexts Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'fixers' in journalism?

Local workers hired for guidance or translation Signup and view all the answers

Which method is NOT recommended for ensuring source reliability?

Relying solely on anonymous sources Signup and view all the answers

What aspect should be evaluated to assess a source's reliability?

The source's background and qualifications Signup and view all the answers

What are the 5Ws that are essential in news writing?

What, When, Who, Where, How Signup and view all the answers

Which attribute is most relevant to the structure of hard news stories?

Inverted pyramid, leading with the most important information Signup and view all the answers

What is a crucial step journalists should take when dealing with anonymous sources?

Strive for on-the-record quotes for transparency Signup and view all the answers

Which tool is used for fact-checking information?

Snopes Signup and view all the answers

In which of the following news types would you find detailed information about current disasters?

Hard news Signup and view all the answers

What should a journalist emphasize when writing for online platforms?

Conciseness and brevity Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of a trend story?

Cultural trends and current popular topics Signup and view all the answers

Which type of feature requires reporters to spend considerable time in a location?

Live-In Feature Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of a review?

To provide a critique and help the audience decide Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of spot features?

They usually contain personal stories related to events. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary reason journalists should not collaborate with police or security services?

To maintain their role in informing the public Signup and view all the answers

What role does a reviewer play when evaluating a film?

They analyze, describe, inform, and advise the audience. Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of an explainer article?

To clarify complex topics via questions and answers. Signup and view all the answers

Why is solidarity among journalists particularly important in conflict zones?

To protect their rights and safety amid dangers Signup and view all the answers

When writing a film review, which should be avoided?

Providing a lengthy, in-depth analysis of each scene Signup and view all the answers

How should journalists handle the situation if they receive benefits like free travel?

They must disclose it to maintain impartiality Signup and view all the answers

What is a key principle that journalists must adhere to regarding their professional integrity?

They cannot be forced to act against their convictions Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a fact checker from other types of features?

Rates the truth of claims made in public statements. Signup and view all the answers

What role do independent regulatory bodies play in journalism?

They handle complaints and ensure objective media practices Signup and view all the answers

What should journalists do regarding external influences such as friendships?

They must protect their independence while networking Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes international news from other types of journalism?

It requires specialized professionals and skills Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary ethical breach when journalists act as spies for government entities?

They compromise their role to inform the public Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to a country's international news coverage due to its influence on global relationships?

Economic and military power Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of countries that receive more media coverage?

Countries with strong trade relationships Signup and view all the answers

Which news value describes events that are controversial and thus considered more newsworthy?

Conflict Signup and view all the answers

Why do emerging countries in the Global South often receive less coverage in international media?

Coverage often focuses on negative events. Signup and view all the answers

What impact do internet and social media have on traditional international news coverage?

They offer competition by providing direct access to foreign news. Signup and view all the answers

Which region typically shows a geocentric focus in international media coverage?

Europe Signup and view all the answers

What is a major reason for the decline in international news coverage?

Increased operational costs for reporters Signup and view all the answers

How do cultural ties influence international news coverage?

They increase the relevance of stories to the audience. Signup and view all the answers

What underlies the shared values of journalism across societies?

Objectivity, fairness, independence, and ethics Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about the definition of journalism?

Definitions of journalism are impacted by societal, cultural, and technological shifts. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the expectations placed on individuals considered true journalists?

They have higher standards and expectations regarding fairness and ethics. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects the pluralistic nature of journalism?

Different types of journalism exist, each with unique norms and purposes. Signup and view all the answers

How does journalism's legitimacy affect public understanding?

It allows the press to shape perceptions of news effectively. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes mass media from digital media?

Mass media reaches larger audiences, whereas digital media operates online. Signup and view all the answers

What role does technology play in modern journalism?

It allows diverse individuals, such as bloggers, to engage in acts of journalism. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines media?

All forms of communication including printed materials and digital platforms. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Journalism and Media: Conceptual Foundations

News is new information about recent events, often focusing on topics important to democratic societies.
News has existed for centuries, evolving from travelers, priests, etc., to a professional activity in the 1800s.
"News" refers to any new, important information, while "The News" is a collection of stories deemed important by a group.
Criteria for newsworthiness include unexpectedness, impact, superlativeness, and proximity. Also important are the involvement of elites, timeliness, positivity, or negativity, and if appropriate, the human, or personal angle.

What is Journalism?

Journalism can be defined in various ways: as a product, the work of certain people, a function of institutions, and as activities, a service, and a profession.
Journalistic standards include objectivity, fairness, independence, and ethics.
Journalistic definitions are impacted by societal, cultural, and technological shifts. For example, a teacher's blog now has the potential to incorporate journalistic characteristics.

What is Media?

Media encompasses various forms of communication, including print, digital platforms, TV, smartphones, apps, and content, such as movies and websites.
Media includes the people involved in creating and sharing content.
Mass media is designed to reach wide audiences, while digital and social media facilitate real-time interactions.
Multimedia combines different forms for richer communication.

Roles in Journalism and Newsrooms

Print Journalism: The editor-in-chief (executive editor) is the manager; the news editor assigns stories to reporters and, in conjunction with other editors, oversees the daily news flow; and sub-editors and desk editors check for ethical issues and ensure quality control.
News Broadcasting: Producers coordinate teams, manage content and delivery, while presenters/anchors interface with the audience; reporters conduct interviews, gather news, and write and/or conduct recordings.

News Process and Sourcing

Process from discovery of a story, collection of information, to judgment of impact, organization, writing, and eventual publishing, involving factors of impact and effective writing style.
News sources include witnesses, experts, press releases, court documents, and various reports.

News Agencies

Organizations globally that collate, write, and disseminate news
Provide initial news reports, supply content to outlets, and enable focus on localized reporting.

Similar to families, media organizations are social institutions with norms and behaviors.
The roles, organization (e.g., news outlets, studios), and workforce (journalists, coders) shape media as an entity.

Key Takeaways

Journalism is a dynamic and multifaceted activity.
Journalistic concepts are contested ideas.
News is constructed and disseminated through varied tools and practices.
The purpose of media is varied, but fundamentally informs the public.
Audiences are engaged through both traditional news processes and novel, participatory media.

International News

Global journalistic outlets handle international news through extensive coverage and resources. Global news agencies produce and distribute news, which other outlets disseminate (e.g., AFP, AP, Reuters). News outlets are often subsidiaries of agencies
Major factors shaping the coverage are the costs, importance (geopolitical, economic), the relationships between nations, and the influence of the 'global north' on coverage
The quality and availability of international and 'parachute' journalism depend on a variety of factors.

Future and Trends

AI is utilized within journalism, offering new methods to report, generate content, and perform tasks. However, ethical issues (bias, manipulation, and transparency) remain critical.
News outlets are adjusting their practices to incorporate AI. Consequently, traditional news outlets face uncertainty regarding AI integration into journalism. Concerns continue about job loss and trustworthiness.
AI's role in journalism may generate new opportunities to conduct journalistic reporting in countries with differing media access and resources.

Key Ethical Considerations

Various ethical considerations (deception, conflicts of interest, respect for privacy, and accuracy) affect the practices in journalism.
Accuracy and trustworthiness are central, ensuring journalists are transparent.
Journalistic ethics may vary across nations or regions impacting news reporting and interpretations.

Journalism and Review

Reviews critique products, films, books, etc., offering honest, personal opinions
Reviews are subjective. They examine and evaluate, inform, advise, and offer opinions to audiences.
There are different types of reviews (e.g., film reviews, product reviews, book reviews).

Columns and Opinions

Columns and op-eds express personal opinions on issues or topics.
Editorials express the view of the publication or news outlet, rather than a particular journalist/individual.
Columns and opinions must adhere to a journalistic code of conduct.
The ethical concern regards truthfulness and deception within journalistic reporting

Trust in Media

Trust in media is crucial for democracy, helping the public to access information and making decisions.
Misinformation and disinformation are growing problems that erode trust in media.
Methods to check information and increase trust are important.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the essential role of sources in journalism and the impact of bias on reporting. Explore the influence of NGOs, user-generated content, and the reliability of various sourcing methods. This quiz covers key concepts that shape journalistic integrity and practice.