Journalism Guide PDF

News refers to the reporting of current events, happenings, or recent developments that are of interest to the general public. It involves providing accurate, unbiased, and timely information on topics such as politics, sports, entertainment, business, science, technology, and more. News helps peopl...

News refers to the reporting of current events, happenings, or recent developments that are of interest to the general public. It involves providing accurate, unbiased, and timely information on topics such as politics, sports, entertainment, business, science, technology, and more. News helps people stay informed about the world around them and make decisions based on the latest information. Journalism is the activity or profession of gathering, assessing, creating, and presenting news and information. Journalists investigate, research, and report on events, issues, and trends to provide context, depth, and analysis that helps the public understand complex subjects. Journalism serves as a watchdog on those in power, and its primary goal is to serve the public interest by informing citizens and holding the powerful accountable. In summary, news refers to the information being reported, while journalism is the practice of investigating, reporting, and presenting that information to the public. Both are crucial components of a well-informed society and play essential roles in shaping public opinion, promoting democracy, and fostering civic engagement. Writing a strong lead is crucial to capture your audience's attention and make them want to keep reading. Here are some tips for crafting an effective lead: 1.​ Grab the reader's attention: Start with an intriguing fact, a provocative question, or a vivid description to hook your audience and make them curious. 2.​Be concise: Get to the point quickly; a lead should typically be one sentence or a short paragraph.  3.​Include the 5 W's: Whenever possible, include the who, what, when, where, and why in your lead to provide essential information up front. 4.​Use active voice: Active voice makes your writing more engaging and direct. For example, "The dog chased the ball" is more engaging than "The ball was chased by the dog." 5.​Show, don't tell: Use descriptive language and sensory details to create a vivid mental image for your readers. 6.​Write with your audience in mind: Think about who you're writing for and tailor your lead to their interests and level of understanding. Ed Bradley covered a wide range of stories during his career, from hard-hitting investigations to sensitive portraits of artists. Some of his most pivotal stories include: 1.​ "Lena" (1981): A profile of singer Lena Horne, which offered a sensitive portrayal of an influential artist. 2.​"In the Belly of the Beast" (1982): An exploration of the life of author and accused murderer Jack Henry Abbott, which delved into complex and controversial topics. 3.​"Larry" (1983): A profile of actor Laurence Olivier, providing insight into the life and career of a legendary performer. 4.​"Dirty Little Secret" (1984): An investigation into the story of an abused man who killed his father, shedding light on the realities of abuse and its consequences. 5.​Coverage of the Vietnam War and presidential campaigns: Bradley's reporting on major political events and conflicts demonstrated his ability to handle high-pressure, complex stories. Overall, Ed Bradley's work as a journalist was diverse and impactful, touching on a variety of topics and issues that continue to resonate today. Ed Bradley was an American broadcast journalist, best known for his impressive 25-year career with the televised newsmagazine 60 Minutes. Born Edward Rudolph Bradley Jr. on June 22, 1941, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he paved the way for many African American journalists. Bradley started as a volunteer at a local Philadelphia radio station while attending Cheyney State College (now Cheyney University of Pennsylvania). He then moved into television, eventually joining CBS News and becoming one of the most recognizable faces on 60 Minutes. Bradley's career was marked by his dedication to hard-hitting journalism, earning him numerous awards and accolades. Sadly, he passed away on November 9, 2006, in New York City, at the age of 65, due to leukemia. Ed Bradley left a lasting legacy in the world of journalism and continues to be an inspiration for aspiring reporters everywhere. The inverted pyramid is a way of writing news stories that journalists often use. It's called "inverted" because it's the opposite of how a regular pyramid looks. Instead of having a wide base and a narrow top, the inverted pyramid has a narrow top and a wide base. In this style of writing, the most important information goes at the very beginning of the story, like the tip of the upside-down pyramid. This includes the who, what, when, where, and why of the story. As the story continues, the information becomes less important, like the widening base of the pyramid. This way, if someone only reads the first few sentences, they still get the main idea. For high school students learning journalism, understanding the inverted pyramid helps you write news stories that grab readers' attention and give them the most important information right away. It's all about telling the story in a way that's easy to understand and keeps people interested! Fake news, misinformation, and disinformation are related concepts but have some key differences: 1. Fake News: Fake news refers to fabricated information that is designed to look like legitimate news coverage. It is intentionally misleading, often created with the intention of attracting attention or financial gain through clickbait and advertising. Fake news may include completely false stories or real events manipulated to fit a narrative that distorts the truth. 2. Misinformation: Misinformation is false or inaccurate information that is spread unintentionally. It is not necessarily created with the intent to deceive but is instead a result of mistakes or misunderstandings. Misinformation can take many forms, such as rumors, myths, or inaccurate reporting, and can spread quickly through social media, word of mouth, or other forms of communication. 3. Disinformation: Disinformation is false information that is deliberately created and disseminated with the intention to deceive or mislead. It is often used to manipulate public opinion, damage an opposing party or group, or sow discord. Disinformation campaigns can be orchestrated by governments, organizations, or individuals and can have serious consequences for democratic processes and social stability. In summary, fake news is an umbrella term that often refers to both misinformation and disinformation, whereas misinformation refers to the unintentional spread of false information, and disinformation refers to the intentional creation and dissemination of false information to deceive or manipulate.