What is journalism? Discuss a role and types of journalism

Name                             :         Bhaliya Uma H.

Roll No                          :         01.

SEM                              :         04. M.A. part -2.

Paper No                       :         E-C-404.

Paper Name                   :         Mass Communication and Media Studies.

Date                               :         18/02/2012.

Topic Name                   :         Assignment on.

“What is journalism? Discuss a role and types of journalism.”

Dept                               :         Department of English.

Submitted To                 :         Dr. Dilip Sir Barad.

                                                Department of English.

                                                Bhavnagar University Bhavnagar.

Ø What is journalism? Discuss a role and types of journalism.

Mass communication and media studies generally interpreted the ‘mass’ media are the press, cinema, radio and television. But journalism also as one part of mass communication and media studies. Because books, magazines, pamphlets and direct mail literature and posters also need to be included in the label. They are so termed because their reach extends to vast heterogeneous masses of the population living in a wide and extensive area of country. And also the mass media is that they are founded on the idea of mass production and mass distribution and the marks of an industrialized society. And also the copies of newspapers and magazines for instance are printed in thousands some national dailies in India have a circulation of over half a million and are circulated over a vast area.

Journalism as one part of mass communication and media studies. Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion and there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and business, journalism also covers cultural aspects of society such as arts and entertainment. The field includes editing, photojournalism and documentary.

Ø What is journalism?  History of journalism.

Journalism the words ‘journal ’, ‘journalist’ and ‘journalism’ have their origin in a French derivation from the Latin term ‘diurnalis’ which means ‘daily’. Among the early Romans, say around 130 B.C., a practice grew of putting up two hand-written bulletins in the forum, the main public-square in Rome. The bulletins called ‘acta diurna’ describing the daily events of interest and important matters and 200 copies were made. This was probably the first newspapers in the world but it was dealing with events rather than views. However the origin of modern western style of journalism can be traced to be occasional news book of 17^th century England which offered short summaries of events of course, it had no headline, large type of letters were used and it appeared in three coliums. In 1720 news and views were kept separately then the industrial revolution was brought in so many advertisement and printing technology was developed so fast and then newspapers become easy to print and highly popular to read many definitions have been given to describe journalism but in short we can say that it is a report of things as they appear at the moment of writing not a definition study of a situation furthers, it is the contemporary report of a changing scene intended to inform readers of what is happening around them. Ultimately what journalism is depends on our news values. At present, journalism has become the fourth estate and pillor of the society and mirror of the nation. In last fourty years print media has undergone massive change so far layout, visual display, ready material and role of the press is concerned. It has become flourishing competitive and challenging there is notable increase and advancement in regional language newspapers also. The news paper or the print media has constant compete with electronic media. And therefore newspapers quality has gone up, and also print media includes newspapers, books, magazines, booklets, pamphlets and periodicals etc.

Ø Role of journalism

As modern journalism was just taking form, writer Walter Lippmann and American philosopher john Dewey debated over the role of journalism in a democracy in the 1920s and their differing philosophies still characterize a debate about the role of journalism in society and the nation – state.

·        Freedom of press.

The freedom of press has included the freedom of speech and expression. The freedom of press is essential in any democratic society for healthy development people at large can know about undercurrents of the national scenario, government and its function. The press is great social asset as it works as watch door on various activities and authorities by exercising its role to warn. The freedom of press is the mother of all other freedom. Countries which curve their newspapers suffer great loss in the long run. Freedom of press reflects healthy government procedure and therefore it has been treated as sacred status. There showed be. But all our respect for press freedom. We cannot overlook the security of the state, privacy of the individual, decency of public life and harmony among the various groups of society and therefore any news or report which harms this aspect of this group should not be allowed. Therefore there are media laws which curtail press freedom. Anything that disturbs security and integrity of the nation, communal harmony, and international relationship, decency in public life or interference in private life or matters in relation to contempt of court is considered as offense and legal actions are provided. Therefore press freedom can be viewed from two sides. First is the external and internal pressure such as interference by political and business leaders or pressures from advertiser or physical attacks on the press people and so on. And second is that various media laws restrict their freedom.

·        Codes and ethics of journalism.

Codes and ethics for journalism. Began to be formulated since the early 1920s. Today more than 60 countries around the world have grown up and enforced such codes of course they change from one country to another. But the concept and responsibility repetition the same. In 1977, UNESCO appointed a 16 members body as international commission for the study of communication problems and the title was ‘many voices’. One word towards a new more just and more efficient world information and communication order. It was led by former Irish foreign minister Sean MacBride. The body studied and analyzed the situation of communication in the world as a whole paying particular attention to the problems related to the balanced and free flow of information. It declared that censorship or arbitrary control of information should be abolished and it should be accurate, full, balanced. Reporting must be encouraged this was in keeping with the article 19 of the universal declaration of human right according to which everyone has a right to freedom of opinion and expression. The MacBride report also laid down certain responsibility as well as concept of press ethics for example safeguarding freedom of information, freedom of access to information sources, objectivity, accuracy, truthfulness and non misrepresentation of facts, and responsibility to the public and its right and interest. The obligation to reframe from violation of privacy, slander, integrity and independence, the right of reply and correction, respect of professional confidentiality.

·        Legal status.

The word ‘censor’ for press means an official examination of material before publication. Any part of the print material which does not tall on to code of ethics of journalism offends people which may disturb maternal security and external defonce of India or public safety and public order may be removed by the censoring authority after examining. Some more mation is classified as not for publication. The authority can cheek it and take it legal action against the publisher and may cancel their registration. The government exercises control over the press in many other indirect ways. The press information bureau, intelligence bereau and the central agency that handle government press and public relations keep close watch on newspaper contents. Moreover, from the time of the British rule, there exist various laws which further curtail press freedom. They are all in force in the interest of public order and of security of the state.

The Indian penal code (1860) as per Indian penal code, to incite enmity between classes of citizen, and to spread any rumors or reports likely to incite members of armed forces to mutimy or failure of duty, and to cause alarm to any section of the public whereby there is an inducement to commit an offense against the state or public peace, and to utter words or to make visible presentation, with intend to wound religious feeling of any class or citizen.

Indian telegraph act (1885). It empowers the state to intercept, detain or not to translate any message in the interest of public safety or sovereignty and integrity of the state. During emergency, press messages can be intercepted.

Ø Some trends in Indian journalism.

Journalism also covers cultural aspects of society such as arts and entertainment for example the three fields includes editing, photo journalism and documentary.

·        Editing

Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, and audible and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete work.

·        Photo journalism

Photojournalism is a particular form of journalism that creates images in order to tell a news story. It is now usually understood to refer only to still images. But in some cases the term also refers to video used in broadcast journalism.

·        Defining ‘documentary’.

Documentary practice is the complex process of creating documentary projects. It refers to what people do with media devices, content, form, and production strategies in order to address the creative, ethical, and conceptual problems and choices that arise as they make documentaries.

Ø Print media

The two hundred years history of the Indian press (news paper) from the time of Hicky to the present day is the history of a struggle for freedom. In fact, the first news paper was published by William bolts to provide information to the British community of their nomes and of expressing greevence against colonial admistriation. But it was James Augustus hicky who started his ‘Bengal gazettes’ in 1780 and with that the age of journalism dawned in India. Hicky was a printer by profession and him described ‘Bengal gazettes’ as a weekly political and commercial paper open to all parties but influenced by none. Individually he was against Mrs. Warren Hastings he used to publish announcement of morrige and engagements and of likely engagements with all his weak point hicky considered the liberty of press. Essential and that quite interesting and useful for the future press. He used to believe that there should be full liberty to express opinions and be worked accordingly. Finally in 1781 he was arrested and thorown into jail because he continued writing for the gazettes. So his printing types were ceized and he was sent back to England. In the following Meers. Five news papers made their appearance in Bengal all started by English men madras and Bombay soon started ‘the madras courier’ and ‘the Bombay herald’ in initial period. There newspapers were subservient of the British ruler and the total circulation was not more than two thousand. Yet the government issued press regulation in 1799 by which the name of the printer, editor and corporate was obligatory.

Ø Types of journalism.

1)    Advocacy journalism.

Advocacy journalism writing to advocate particular viewpoints or influence the opinions of the audience. Advocacy journalism is a genre of journalism that intentionally and transparently adopts a non – objective viewpoint, usually for some social or political purpose and because it is intended to be factual, it is distinguished from propaganda and it is also distinct from instances of media bias and failures of objectivity in media outlets, which attempt to be or which present themselves as objective or neutral for examples advocacy journalism is practiced by a broad range of mainstream media outlets and alternations media and special interest publications and programs, but might also apply to a single article in an otherwise – neutral publication, such as political stories article in an otherwise – neutral publication, such as political stories in rolling stone. There are also “advocacy journalism”, or “alternative publication”, which are marketed to target groups based on their interests or biases for example print media such as the nation, mother Jones, national review etc.

2)    Broadcast journalism

Broadcast journalism also one part of journalism. Broadcast journalism writing or speaking which is intended to be distributed by radio or television broadcasting, rather than only in written form for readers and also broadcast journalism is the field of news and journalism which are “broadcast” and also that is published by electrical methods, instead of the older methods, such as printed newspapers and posters. And broadcast methods include radio or television so the media disperse pictures visual text, and sounds. So the radio was the first medium for broadcast journalism. And many of the first radio stations were co-operative community radio ventures not making a profit. And radio advertising to pay for programs was pioneered in radio and television displaced radio and newspapers as the main news sources for most of the public in industrialized countries and next is television news is considered by many to be the most influential medium for journalism. So the television is dominated by attractive visuals with short soundbites and fast “cuts”. Television journalism viewership has become fragmented, with the 24hour united states cable news television channels such as cable news network (cnn) staring in 1980, for news channel and msnbc in the 1990s.

3)    Investigative journalism.

Investigative journalism is also one part of journalism. In investigative journalism writing which seeks to add extra information to explain, or better describe the people and events of a particular topic. So the investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, often involving crime, political corruption or corporate wrongdoing. And an investigative journalism may spend months or years researching and preparing a report. Investigative journalism is a primary source of information, and most investigative journalism is done by newspapers, wire services and freelance journalism. And practitioners sometimes use the terms “watchdog journalism” or “accountability reporting”.

4)    Tabloid journalism

Tabloid journalism is one part of journalism. Tabloid journalism writing which uses opinionated or wild claims. Tabloid journalism tends to emphasize topics such as sensational crime stories, astrology, gossip columns about the personal lives of celebrities and sports stars, and junk food news. And journalism is commonly associated with tabloid sized newspapers like “ the national enquirer”, “globe” or “the daily mail” and the former “news of the world.’ and the terms “tabloids”, “supermarket tabloids”, “gutter press”, and “rag”, refer to the journalistic approach of such newspapers rather than their size and also that tabloid newspapers allegations about the sexual practices, drug use, or private conduct of celebrities is borderline defamatory and in many cases celebrities have successfully used for libel, demonstrating that tabloid stories have defamed them. And it is this sense of the word that led to some entertainment news programs to be called tabloid television.

5)    Yellow journalism

Yellow journalism also one part of journalism. Yellow journalism is also known as sensationalism and it is writing which emphasizes exaggerated claims or rumors. And also that yellow journalism or the yellow press, is a type of journalism that presents little or  no legitimate well – researched news and instead uses eye-catching headlines to sell more newspapers and techniques may include exaggerations of news events, scandal-mongering and or sensationalism. The term yellow journalism is used today as a pejorative to decry any journalism that treats news in an unprofessional or unethical fashion and Campbell (2001) defines yellow press newspapers as having daily multi-column front page headlines covering a variety of topics, such as sports and scandal, using bold layouts, heavy reliance or unnamed sources, and unabashed self-promotions. And the term was extensively used to describe certain major New York City newspapers about 1900 as they battled for circulation.