Functions Of Journalism Lecture (2) PDF

Functions of Journalism Lecture (2) Dr. Hany M. Ali ALLPPT.com _ Free PowerPoint Templates, Diagrams and Charts  What makes journalism different than other forms of communication?  The world, and especially the online world, is awash in com...

Functions of Journalism Lecture (2) Dr. Hany M. Ali ALLPPT.com _ Free PowerPoint Templates, Diagrams and Charts  What makes journalism different than other forms of communication?  The world, and especially the online world, is awash in communication. The vast majority of this communication, however, is not news and especially not journalism.  Almost 70 percent of email traffic is spam, according to web security company Symantec. In 2021, there was an average of 175 million tweets each day. But almost all – 99% — consisted of “pointless babble,” according to researchers at Carnegie Mellon University.  While journalism takes a much smaller space than the talk, entertainment, opinion, assertion, advertising and propaganda that dominate the media universe, it is nevertheless perceived as being more valuable than most of the “stuff out there.” That value flows from its purpose, to provide people with verified information they can use to make better decisions, and its practices, the most important of which is a systematic process – a discipline of verification – that journalists use to find not just the facts, but also the “truth about the facts.” What is the purpose of journalism? “The purpose of journalism, is not defined by technology, nor by journalists or the techniques they employ Rather, the principles and purpose of journalism are defined by something more basic: the function news plays in the lives of people. News is that part of communication that keeps us informed of the changing events, issues, and characters in the world outside. Though it may be interesting or even entertaining, the most important value of news is as a utility to empower the informed. The purpose of journalism is thus to provide citizens with the information they need to make the best possible decisions about their lives, their communities, their societies, and their governments.  Functions of Journalism There is some important function of journalism to inform, to interpret and educate, to entertain. The detail of each is given below: Information (News Function) This function includes all reports, news and happenings concerning the daily life. News helps in informing people of what is going around them in the world. It covers the entire serious topic that every individual has right to know for the better living. Here topics like politics, business, education, foreign affairs, weather forecasts etc all are covered. News helps us to inform complicated processes in a simple way. Journalism plays an important role in keeping the public informed by providing factual information about current events and issues. Here are some examples of the information function of journalism: Reporting on breaking news: Journalists are often the first responders to a news event, providing the public with up-to-date information about what is happening, as it happens. For instance, journalists were on the ground reporting during the recent conflict in Ukraine, providing the world with vital information about the unfolding events. Investigative journalism: Investigative journalists go beyond reporting on the surface of an issue and delve deeper to uncover hidden truths and hold powerful institutions accountable. They may spend months or even years researching a story, interviewing sources, and gathering evidence. For example, the publication of the Pentagon Papers by The New York Times in 1971 exposed the US government's secret history of involvement in the Vietnam War. Data journalism: Data journalism uses data to tell stories and inform the public. Journalists may use data to analyze trends, identify patterns, and hold powerful institutions accountable. For example, The Guardian's "Inequality Project" uses data to track wealth inequality around the world. These are just a few examples of the many ways that journalism provides the public with information. By reporting on current events, investigating important issues, and data journalism, journalists help us to understand the world around us and make informed decisions. Interpretation of News (Education Function) The need for interpreting and explaining the news in our day and age is readily manifold because their own fields of knowledge baffle even the specialists at times. The ordinary mortal caught in a maze of economics, science or invention needs to be led by the hand through its complications. Accordingly, present day journalism sees that along with its announcement of a fact, event or theory, the reader or listener also gets explanation, background material interpretation and diagrams. These are all aimed at helping an individual to achieve a better understanding of the significance of what he reads or hears Here are some examples of the Interpretation of News (Education Function) Making sense of a medical breakthrough: Imagine a news headline about a new gene therapy treatment for cancer. Interpretation journalism would delve deeper, explaining how the therapy works, what diseases it targets, the current stage of development, and potential side effects. It might include interviews with scientists and doctors to provide context and different perspectives. Breaking down an economic policy: A new government policy on tariffs might be confusing to the public. Interpretation journalism would explain the purpose of the tariffs, how they might affect different industries and consumers, and potential historical comparisons to similar policies. It might include graphs and charts to illustrate the economic impact. Unpacking a scientific discovery: A new discovery about dark matter might be a technical scientific paper only understood by a select few. Interpretation journalism would translate the findings for a general audience, explaining what dark matter is, why it's important, and the implications of this discovery. It might include clear visuals to make the complex topic understandable. Giving context to a social issue: A rise in hate crimes against a particular minority group is a concerning event. Interpretation journalism would explore the potential causes of this rise, including historical context, social and political factors, and potential solutions. It might include interviews with experts on hate crimes and members of the affected community.  These are just a few examples, and Interpretation journalism can be applied to any complex topic in the news. By providing clear explanations and context, it empowers the public to understand the world around them and make informed decisions. Entertainment Side by side with its more serious roles as a supplier of information, interpreter and molder of opinion, journalism lays increasing emphasis on its function as an entertainer. Under this Function can be included all types of fiction like comic strips stories amusing aspects of everyday life etc. It also includes factual material sports news, theater reviews and hobby columns, which deal with leisure. The entertainment function of the press is very important. This function not only competes for space and time with either functions but it can also exert indirect influence and impart information by the way….. Entertainment is one of the most important function of journalism, because it is like a magnet, which attracts and holds a large audiences. It plays a vital role in selling newspapers and magazines by the millions. The sports pages, comic strips, astrology columns, advice to the lovelorn and crosswords are essential to the average newspapers survival as a mass media. While the core function of journalism is to inform, it also plays a role in entertainment. Here are some ways entertainment journalism fulfills this function: Reviews and recommendations: Journalists write reviews of movies, TV shows, music albums, video games, and other forms of entertainment. These reviews can be informative , providing readers with insights into the plot, characters, and overall quality of the work. However, they also often offer an element of entertainment themselves, through the use of witty or engaging writing styles, and by sparking discussions and debates among readers. Celebrity profiles and interviews: Entertainment journalism delves into the lives and careers of celebrities through interviews, profiles, and behind-the-scenes glimpses. These stories can be entertaining for fans, offering them a chance to learn more about their favorite stars and fostering a sense of connection. Award shows and red carpet coverage: From the Oscars to the Grammys, entertainment journalism covers these events, providing viewers with a front-row seat to the fashion, excitement, and drama that unfolds. This coverage can be entertaining, not only for fans of the celebrities and artists involved, but also for those interested in the spectacle and cultural significance of these events. Feature stories and human-interest pieces: Entertainment journalism doesn't always focus on celebrities or the biggest award shows. It also tells stories about inspiring individuals working in the entertainment industry, the creative process behind popular works, or lesser-known artists who deserve recognition. These stories can be both informative and entertaining, capturing the heart and human element behind the world of entertainment.  It's important to note that while entertainment journalism is a form of journalism, its primary goal isn't always to provide objective and impartial information. It can be subjective and use a mix of factual information and personal opinions to create engaging content for its audience. Advertising This function of the press can very easily be recognized because it is commercially oriented. Sometimes, (1) the advertisements also have some pubic service message under the prestige advertisements regarding family planning, driving safely, childcare, health care etc. (2) Advertising provides the largest part of the revenue to finance the most elaborate technically sophisticated press system. In fact all sorts of daily newspapers, magazines; publications depend on advertising revenue. (3) Advertisement also supplies essential marketing information to the public and helps information businessmen of changes within their fields. Opinion for Motives From the earliest days journalism has sought to affect mankind. Journalism efforts to sway the minds of men through the printed words, cartoons and pictures as they appear in the newspapers, magazines, pamphlets and books and through the spoken words over the air. It means affecting the opinion of the readers through editorials, articles, its signed column or certain special features. In journalism people are not only informed, guided and entertained but they all affected to have their opinion on certain issues. In certain cases, the opinion of people is diverted to another direction, sometimes, to negative and sometimes to positive direction. once the news is published in a newspaper or broadcasted on television then it acts as the agent of forming opinions. News helps people to build their opinion on the information given by the news. For example after the incident of 11 September people were influenced by the media and started to have a kind of Islamophobia and started believing that all Muslims are terrorists.