Homework Assignment - Principles of Journalism

Please read the below text and post any questions you have about it in the "comments" section.

Today we learned the basics of structuring a straight news story. Unlike feature stories or opinion stories, news stories are objective reports of the fact. For this reason, as journalists, we should follow some basic principles.

Four guiding principles to keep in mind when writing news stories:

1. Objectivity. When reporting on the news, it is important to remain objective. Many blog writers choose to insert their opinions into their news stories, but it is also important to be able to write completely objectively, especially if the story is controversial or extremely important.
2. Integrity/Honesty. Remaining honest is essential if you want your readers to believe what you write on your blog. The most obvious way to do this is to never lie in your stories. And if you do make a mistake, tell your readers and apologize in a future post. To maintain your integrity, you also want to avoid reporting on people and events that you are involved with, unless you clearly state that you are biased in this situation.
3. Present Both Sides. There are two sides to every news article. Even if you think one side of the story is more important, that may be your own bias. You should always strive to include both sides of the story, because it is more honest, it provides fuller information, and it makes the story more interesting. One way to avoid writing one-sided stories is to never publish an accusation without offering an interview to the person or people being accused.
4. Use Quotes in Proper Context. Quotes serves as the primary evidence for most news articles. They also make the story more interesting by adding other people's voices to your own. But remember, you have to be careful when using quotes. Here are two rules to follow:
   
• One of the easiest ways to lose your integrity as a journalist is to publish a quote out of context.
• Whenever you include a quote, read over the paragraph more than once to make sure that, in the new context of the news article, the quote still has the same meaning as when the person said it. To maintain objectivity you should almost always introduce your quotes with "said." If you try to use more interesting words like "interjected" or "demanded," then you risk inserting your own bias into somebody else's quote.

Legal Death for a Journalist
Below are two legal terms that pertain to journalists that you should know the meaning of. In order to maintain your integrity as a journalist, avoid these problems at all costs:

• Libel. "False, written defamation of a person or group." In simple language, that means: writing bad and untrue things about a person or group. If you can prove that what you have published is true, then it is not libel.
• Invasion of Privacy. "Published statements that, while true, have a negative effect on an individual or group, and does not affect the general welfare." This prevents journalists from running pieces that attack people for no reason. For example, "Area Man Cheats on Wife." If, as a journalist, you can argue that society should know about this story, then it may be okay to publish an almost identical story. For example, "Bill Clinton Cheats on Wife."

Remember, if you have any questions about this stuff (there's a lot of it, and some of it is pretty confusing!) please ask your questions in the comments section. Thank you.