UNIT I.

Fundamental Concepts on Journalism

Definitions of Journalism
Bond F. Fraser: According to him “The term journalism embraces all the forms in
which and through which the news and the comments on the news reach the public. All
that happens in the world, if such happenings hold interest for the public and all the
thought, action and ideas which these happenings stimulate become the basic material
for the journalist.”
According to Leslie Stephens, “Journalism consists of writing for pay on matters of
which you are ignorant.”
Eric Hodgins of Time Magazine defines it as, “Journalism is the conveying of
information from here to there with accuracy, insight and dispatch and in such a manner
that the truth is served and the rightness of things is made slowly, even if not
immediately, more evident”.
According to Websters third International Dictionary Journalism define as “The
collection and editing of material of current interest for presentation, publication or
broadcast”.
The word journalism is derived from Journal which means a daily register or a
diary. To-day the word journal also connotes a newspaper, published every day or even
less often or a magazine. Thus Journalism means. The communication of information
regarding the events of a day through written words, sounds or pictures. And a journalist
is a person who writes for or conducts a newspaper or a magazine. He is also called a
press man.
The oldest journalism is connected with periodical journalism. A periodical, is
printed at a regular and fixed interval. A periodical can be called a newspaper if it appears
at least weekly in recognized newspaper format and has general public interest.
In the modern age, the press is called the “Fourth Estate”. It enjoys a very
important place in society and plays a very vital role in a democracy.

Nature of Journalism
Journalism is the timely reporting of events at the local, provincial, national
and international levels. Reporting involves the gathering of information through
interviewing and research, the results of which are turned into a fair and balanced story
for publication or for television or radio broadcast.
 Journalism is not just fact-finding media analysis opinion writing or
commentary although all of those aspects can play a part at times.

Journalism is that part of social activity which is concerned with

the dissemination of news and views about the society.

Modern journalism feeds five areas of mass communication – (1) Newspapers and
Periodicals, (2) Radio, (3) Television, (4) Films, (5) Advertising & Public Relations.

In modern societies, Journalism has become the media of mass

education providing supplementary education to students at all stages and to the
general masses – educated and uneducated.

In modern times, the horizon of journalism has widened and it has transcended
the limits of mere reporting of political and economic news.

Journalism has as its main activity the reporting of events stating who, what,
where, why and how, and explaining the significance and effects of events or trends.

Journalism exists in a number of media: newspapers, television, radio, magazines

and, most recently, the World Wide Web through the internet.

Scope of Journalism
Journalism, in its wider sense, includes reporting and commentaries delivered on
television and radio. Even news events and film documentaries come within the scope of
journalism. The editors, and the reporters working for television, radio or film industry
claim that when they deal with news and views, they too are as much covered by the
term “the Press” as people belonging to the print media. What qualifies a person to be
called a journalist is the nature of the function performed by him and not the media for
which he is working.
Journalism may be divided into three areas, namely: written, oral, and visual.
Periodicals such as newspapers and magazines fall under written journalism. A periodical,
defined broadly, is a publication that comes out at regular intervals-daily, weekly,
monthly, annualy, etc.
A newspaper, as compared to a magazine, prints more news, has no special cover,
and is printed on a special paper called newsprint. News is printed on the front page, as
well as on the inside and the back pages.
A magazine, on the other hand, prints more features and human interest stories,
has a special cover usually with a big cut on it, and is often printed on bookpaper. I ever
news is printed, it is brief, featurized, and found in the inside pages.
 Periodicals, brochures, journals, books, and graphic arts are classified under print
media. Radio falls under oral journalism, while television, movies, and documentaries are
visual journalism.
Radio and television are examples of broadcast media, while movies and
documentaries are examples of film media.

Functions of Campus Papers

A campus paper may be mimeographed or printed published or released by an
organization or school whose name or logo appears in the masthead or in the editorial
box.
The campus paper like any other media has functions.
AID TO STUDENTS
 Provides opportunity for interesting writing.
 Gives students the opportunity to learn how to read the newspapers.
 Acts as stimulus to better work.
 Develops students’ power of observation and discrimination concerning relative
merits of news articles.
 Serves as outlet and motivation for journalistic writing.
 Offers training in organizations, business methods, commercial arts, salesmanship,
bookkeeping and business management.
 Develops qualities of cooperation, tact, accuracy, tolerance, responsibility and
leadership.

AID TO SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY

 Informs the community of the work of the school.
 Publishes school news.
 Creates and expresses school opinions.
 Makes known the achievements of the school.
 Helps unify the school.
 Encourages and stimulates worthwhile activities.
 Develops right standard of conduct.
 Provides and outlet for students’ suggestions for the betterment of the school.
 Develops better interschool relationship.
 Develops school spirit.
 Develops cooperation between the parents and the school.
The campus paper also has these following functions:
INFORMATION FUNCTION: This is the news functions of the campus paper: to inform.
Since information dissemination is the maid purpose of the campus paper, this is the
function most likely performed by any campus paper. It gives the readers information
concerning the things around the community and within the school.
OPINION FUNCTION: Through the editorials and editorial columns, the editor has the
chance to post his opinion regarding current events inside the school and the community.
The main purpose for this is to persuade to reader toward a certain point of view.
EDUCATION FUNCTION: Tabooed topics such as sex, sex education, family planning
and the like are extensively and intensively discussed by writers of campus papers. This
is one of the most important functions of the campus paper: to educate.
WATCHDOG FUNCTION: The school paper serves as an eye for the readers to see
what is happening in the school and to guard the right of the young ones.
LABORATORY FUNCTION: It serves as the teaching tool for budding journalists.
Neophytes pattern their new experience from the existing and past papers.
DOCUMENTATION FUNCTION: Important school events and worthwhile student
accomplishments and achievements are recorded in the campus paper for posterity’s
sake. Most present day stories are researched from old newspapers.
ENTERTAINMENT FUNCTION: The school paper, like an interesting book, keeps the
reader company especially when he is alone. Most human interest stories are stimulating
to read.
DEVELOPMENTAL FUNCTION: In developing a country like the Philippines, scholastic
and commercial journalism has been given greater and nobler significance. The sources
of new journalists are school also. Journalists in campus publications are most likely to
be the journalists of the future. The young journalist whose news deals with club
activities, school elections and campus activities will eventually become a better one
whose news deal with activities of the nation, national elections and national concerns.
The developmental function of the campus paper doesn't only have implications on the
young one himself but also on the school as a whole. School administrators and staff may
reflect their performance on the school paper and see what improvements must be done.

Journalism versus Literature

All journalistic ventures are grounded on facts, on truth and on actuality.
Redundant as it may, facts are the foundation of all the ambits of journalism. Journalism
and literature are both forms of writing, consumed by the public and have relative style.
They may be guided by set rules. Literature is based on the wandering imagination of a
writer. It is categorized into prose and poetry. Journalism, on the other hand, has main
genres that include news, editorial and features.
Journalistic genres follow the strict method of dividing ideas through paragraphs
while literature has a variety of forms and styles. For instance, Jonas, a writer, wishes to
come up with a story about ghosts. He now starts imagining the appearance of the ghosts
and creates a plot which includes the conflict, the climax and the resolution of the conflict.
Jonas is writing a literary piece. Marla, on the other hand, also writes about ghosts.
However, before she starts writing about them, she interviews persons who have
allegedly seen them. The appearance of ghosts, including the persons' beliefs about
them, is written into an entertaining way. Hence, the output is packed with facts. In this
case, Jonas writes a literature, a short story in particular while Marla does a feature story,
a journalistic article. Jonas writes based on his imagination while Marla writes based on
facts.

Ethics and Laws of the Press/Responsibility of the Press

Journalist's Creed in the 21st Century by Walter Williams

In 1908, a long-term Missouri newspaper editor named Walter Williams became
the founding dean of the world's first university school of journalism. It was an historic
development in the emergence of a profession we now call journalism. Just as important
in the development of this profession was a statement of principles and standards that
Williams wrote for this new profession.
 I believe in the profession of journalism.
 I believe that the public journal is a public trust; that all connected with
it are, to the full measure of their responsibility, trustees for the public;
that acceptance of a lesser service than the public service is betrayal of
this trust.
 I believe that clear thinking and clear statement, accuracy and fairness
are fundamental to good journalism.
 I believe that a journalist should write only what he holds in his heart to
be true.
 I believe that suppression of the news, for any consideration other than
the welfare of society, is indefensible.
 I believe that no one should write as a journalist what he would not say
as a gentleman; that bribery by one's own pocketbook is as much to be
avoided as bribery by the pocketbook of another; that individual
 responsibility may not be escaped by pleading another's instructions or
another's dividends.
 I believe that advertising, news and editorial columns should alike serve
the best interests of readers; that a single standard of helpful truth and
cleanness should prevail for all; that the supreme test of good journalism
is the measure of its public service.
 I believe that the journalism which succeeds best -- and best deserves
success -- fears God and honors Man; is stoutly independent, unmoved
by pride of opinion or greed of power, constructive, tolerant but never
careless, self-controlled, patient, always respectful of its readers but
always unafraid, is quickly indignant at injustice; is unswayed by the
appeal of privilege or the clamor of the mob; seeks to give every man a
chance and, as far as law and honest wage and recognition of human
brotherhood can make it so, an equal chance; is profoundly patriotic
while sincerely promoting international good will and cementing world-
comradeship; is a journalism of humanity, of and for today's world.
Journalist of Code of Ethics
In order to guide its members along the right path of good journalism, the
Philippine Secondary Schools Press Association (PSSPA) during the national conference
in 1948 at Torres High School, Manila, adopted a Code of Ethics modeled after that of
the Indiana Secondary School Press Association. This is their code:
Conscious of the honor of representing the student population of all public high schools
in the Philippines, and the greater responsibility that the honor entails, the Philippine
Secondary Schools Press Association pledges to do and uphold the following Code of
Ethics:
 To cooperate at all times with the faculty in the improvement and betterment of
the school and to give only constructive criticisms in regard to any school
undertaking.
 To reflect good sportsmanship in writing by disregarding personal grudge and
enmity.
 To avoid ironic personal jokes.
 To exclude from publication articles about the school that may draw wrong and
unpleasant conclusions from those unaware of the real situation.
 To extend full credit to the author of any borrowed article.
 To be accurate and truthful in newspaper reporting.
 To correct errors brought to the attention of the staff.
 To strive hard for the best way of expression.
 To practice teamwork and discard individualism.
  To adopt new ideas and make changes whenever such will mean progress and
development.
A Journalist’s Code of Ethics by The National Press Club of the Philippines
 I shall scrupulously report and interpret the news, taking care not to suppress
essential facts nor to distort the truth by omission or improper emphasis. I
recognize the duty to air the other side and the duty to correct substantive errors
promptly.
 I shall not violate confidential information on material given me in the exercise of
my calling.
 I shall resort only to fair and honest methods in my effort to obtain news,
photographs, and/or documents, and shall properly identify myself as a
representative of the press when obtaining any personal interview intended for
publication.
 I shall refrain from writing reports which will adversely affect a private reputation
unless the public interest justifies it. At the same time, I shall fight vigorously for
public access to information, as provided for in the Constitution.
 I shall not let personal motives or interests influence me in the performance of my
duties; nor shall I accept or offer any present, gift or consideration of the nature
which may cast doubt on my personal integrity.
 I shall not commit any act of plagiarism.
 I shall not in any manner ridicule, cast aspersion on, or degrade any person by
reason of sex, creed, religious belief, political conviction, cultural and ethnic origin.
 I shall presume persons accused of crime of being innocent until proven otherwise.
I shall exercise caution in publishing names of minors and women involved in
criminal case so that they may not unjustly lose their standing in society.
 I shall not take fair advantage of a fellow journalist.
 I shall accept only such tasks as are compatible with the integrity and dignity of
my profession, invoking the "conscience clause" when duties imposed on me
conflict with the voice of my conscience.
 I shall conduct myself in public or while performing my duties as journalist in such
manner as to maintain the dignity of my profession. When in doubt, decency
should be my watchword.
Canons of Journalism (Adapted by the American Society of Newspaper Editors)
Responsibility - The right of a newspaper to attract and hold readers is restricted by
nothing but considerations of public welfare. The use of a newspaper makes of the share
of public attention it gains serve to determine its sense of responsibility, which it shares
with every member of its staff. A journalist who uses his power for any selfish or otherwise
unworthy purpose is faithless to a high trust.
Freedom of the Press - Freedom of the press is to be guarded as a vital right of
mankind. It is the unquestionable right to discuss whatever is not explicitly forbidden by
law, including the wisdom of any restrictive stature.
Independence - Freedom from all obligations except that of fidelity to public interest is
vital.
1. Promotion of any private interest contrary to the general welfare, for
whatever reason, is not compatible with honest journalism. So-called
news-communications from private sources should not be published
without public notice of their source or else substantiation of their
claims to value as new both in form and substance.
2. Partisanship, in editorial comment. which knowingly departs from the
truth, does violence to the best spirit of American journalism; in the
news columns it is subversive of a fundamental principle of the
profession.
Sincerity, Truthfulness, Accuracy - Good faith with the readers is the foundation of
all journalism worthy of the same.
1. By every consideration of good faith, every newspaper is constrained
to be truthful. It is not to be excused for lack of thoroughness of
accuracy within its control or failure to obtain command of these
qualities.
2. Headlines should be fully warranted by the contents of the articles
which they surmount.
Impartiality - Sound practices makes clear distinction between news reports and
expression of opinions. News reports should be free from opinion or bias of any kind.
Fair Play - A newspaper should not publish unofficial charges affecting reputation or
moral character without opportunity given to the accused to be heard. Right practice
demands the giving of such opportunity in all cases of serious accusations outside judicial
proceedings.
1. A newspaper should not invade private rights or feelings without sure
warrant of public right as distinguished from public curiosity.
2. It is the privilege, as it is the duty, of a newspaper to make prompt
and complete correction of its own serious mistakes of fact or
opinion, whatever their origin.
Decency - A newspaper cannot escape conviction of insincerity if while professing high
moral purpose, it supplies incentives to base conduct, such as are found in details of
crime and vice, publication of which is not demonstrably for the general good.
Tenets of Journalism
Going into the road of journalism entails not only knowledge but also responsibilities.
Hence, their journalists are bound by strict guidelines. Journalists have rights, but they
must bear on shoulders the duties to serve the interest of the public.
1.Responsibility. Journalists should always be aware of their obligations to their readers
to write the truth whatever it costs. For this reason, journalists must be brave enough to
defend facts and the truth behind the news. In this sense, the journalists' main
responsibility is to be the transmitter of veracity in any issue, and that they are liable not
to the company but to the public.
2.Freedom of the Press. As a basic right, freedom of the press should be safeguarded
by the people of media. In this case, any topic under the sweltering heat of the sun may
be written so long as there is no infraction to the existing laws of the land.
3.Independence. Putting forward the life of one or two persons by slashing the welfare
of the general public is a clear violation of this tenet. It, therefore, means that the services
of a journalist should be committed to the interest of the general public and not driven
by the interest of money called "envelopmental journalism."
4.Objectivity, Truthfulness and Accuracy. Checking the veracity of data and
information before they are published is an example of being accurate and truthful. Since
facts are the solid foundation of journalism, media men should not therefore conceal the
truth by fabricating facts and by publishing misquoted statements and erroneous
statistics.
Objectivity, on the other hand, is simply avoiding conflicts of interest on the
treatment of the articles and on the way arguments and news are written.
Partisan news and biased interviews violate the ideals of journalism; ergo, a journalist
should know the difference between news and opinion. Readers and journalists alike,
believe that newspapers should be objective. Thus, reporters receive training from those
who know journalistic rules, and learn to resolve whatever conflict they may have.
Teel and Taylor (1983), as cited by Pangilinan (2012), suggested guidelines to attain a
balanced story whenever journalists face controversial issues.
a. Stick to the facts.
b. Never insert your personal opinion.
c. Be discreet in the use of adjectives.
d. Avoid cheap shots.
e. Somebody with something to say deserves a forum.
f. Assess your alliances. Remember that you are an observer, not a participant. g.
Listen to your editor.
5.Fairness. The whole point in advocating objectivity is to be fair in presenting
information in any journalistic field. Remember, the public will see the topic according to
the way journalists present it; hence, reporters should exercise telling the truth and
putting information in the right perspective.
In this vein, journalists should always present both sides of the coin, both sides of the
argument, both sides of controversial issues. They should set both avenues for the
opposing parties to ventilate their arguments and points of clarification. With this in mind,
journalists, too, must respect the privacy of individuals, unless, there is a warrant of a
public right. In case there is a mistake, true journalists should rectify the said error, thus
the errata in newspapers.
Kinds of Balanced Reporting
There are worthy concepts that novice journalists must be wary about. Concepts that kill
balanced reporting must be avoided.
1.Yellow Journalism. This is simply sensationalizing a story or an issue. It is a type of
journalism that presents little or no legitimate well-researched news and instead uses
eye-catching headlines to sell more newspapers. Techniques may include exaggerations
of news events, scandal-mongering or sensationalism. Most showbiz stories are grounded
on this type of journalism which appeals to the curiosity of the readers and viewers.
2.New Journalism. The new journalists expanded the definition of journalism and of
legitimate journalistic reporting and writing techniques. They also associated journalism
with fiction when they described their work with phrases such as "nonfiction novel" and
"narrative techniques of fiction." In so doing, they ignited a debate over how much like a
novel or short story a journalistic piece could be before it began violating journalism's
commitment to truth and facts. This approach represents a return to the roots of social
reporting which was used in Charles Dickens' fiction.
3.Advocacy Journalism. This is a genre of journalism that, unlike propaganda, is fact-
based but supports 'a specific point of view on an issue. Advocacy journalists are expected
to focus on stories dealing with corporate business practices, government policies,
political corruption and social issues. Arguably, advocacy journalists serve the public
interest in a way similar to muckrakers or whistle blowers. Most advocacy journalists
reject the supposed objectivity of the mainstream press as a practical impossibility, and
some others take the position that the economic censorship exerted by corporate
sponsors is no different from political censorship.
4.Stylistic Journalism. It emphasizes imaginative, stylized writing of stories and
considers newspapers as "the literature of immediate fact." 5. Editorializing. This is giving
the reporter's opinion rather than the fact. It may also mean the expanding of news about
an insignificant happening to give publicity to a subject.
Functions and Duties of the Press
If you have fully made up your mind to go into the path of journalism and the
media, you have to be acquainted with your vast roles and primordial functions.
1.The quality of the newspaper must be reflected in the editorial policy. It is more than
just a business because it also reflects and influences the life of the whole academic
community.
2.Newspapers must have integrity and readers' confidence.
3.Newspapers may educate, stimulate, assist or entertain. It is therefore a moral
responsibility to balance public interest and the gains.
4.The fundamental quality of the newspaper rests on the quality of the content and the
kind of editorial product. It is responsible for the rise of the readers' educational level and
resurgence of an articulate, active young generation.
5.Freedom of the press encompasses responsibility of the newspapers. Freedom of the
press and responsibility are inseparable. Responsibility of the press means truth in the
news — truth tempered with mercy, decency and humility.
6.The press must practice the principles of journalism without bias and self-interest.

Limitations of the Press

Pulitzer prize-winning author David Broeder (USA Today, Aug. 12, 1987) as cited
by Pangilinan (2012), averred that reports are flawed. Hence, reports are not that
complete and may bear mistakes. The limitations of the press may be traced upon the
timeframe within which an article should be submitted for publication. Remember that
journalism secures the freshness of the information. Therefore, when a journalist is in a
hurry to beat the deadline, he may not have enough time to reach all the sources of
information. Subsequently, reporters will be unable to present the story in as many
perspectives as a journalist should showcase.
This implies that readers or the information-consuming public should judge very
critically the articles, the reports, including the photos. Readers should know how to ask
questions that are left unanswered, in the same manner when journalists dig for facts
and additional information.
Another limitation of the press is its proneness to be manipulated by the powerful,
the elite and the politicians. Broeder (1987) as cited by Pangilinan (2012) pointed
“...every good politician will attempt to work well with the press. If you live in a country
where public opinion ultimately decides public policy any politician who is at all serious is
going to try to manage public opinion, and that means working with the press. So they
all do it.”

Activity. UNIT I.
Answer the following and submit your answers to our google classroom.
Please follow the deadline Mr. Bagon and Ms. Carpio, my patience is running
out.
1. Using a Venn diagram, compare and contrast the nature of journalism from
the scope of literature. Illustrate your answer in a long bond paper.

Literature Journalism

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2. Argue in not more than 200 words but not less than 150 words whether the
freedom to write is an absolute freedom. Cite concrete instances, if possible.
3. Explain your understanding of the phrase “sensationalized news story”.
Present an example of a news that you have read or heard to support your
explanation.