The role of the media

Causes of Criticism of the media

Inaccuracies“bigness”Bias – conservative/middle of the road/liberalUncaring “how do you feel?”

The Journalist’s Job - Political Function

Most important!News organizations cover government; obligated to

provide readers with the info for basing political decisions

“government watchdog”

The Economic Function!

Media give information on goods and servicesAdvertisingProduct informationStock market (business sections)

The Sentry Function

The press watches society’s horizons – what will challenge us socially, financially, politically tomorrow?

Examples: technological changes, medical breakthroughs, lifestyles, criminal justice, predictions, threats to environment

Record-Keeping Function

Accurate records are essential for consumers and history of the people

Examples: Who was elected to the school board? What happened to the price of oil?

This is a basic function of journalism

The Entertainment Function

Of course, consumers need diversion as well as news

Comics, lifestyle sections, travel sections, entertaining feature stories, reviews, etc.

The Social Function

People get together to discuss what’s in the media (may even plan social events around)

“Dude, did you see Conan O’Brien last night?”

The Market Place Function

A place for any/all ideas to be presented – a “marketplace” of ideas

Personal expressions can be seen/heard

The media provide a forum for all these ideas

The Agenda Setting Function

“Journalists don’t tell us what to think. They tell us what to think about.” – not dictating our thoughts!

Media place issues on the public agenda . . . What will be discussed, worked on, noticed

The media help us see what’s important

Evaluating the Media - Newspapers

Local news – local issues ignored to make room for AP or UPI stories from other areas?

Editorials – lively, readable forum? Local, state, national issues exclusively?

Are there In-Depth stories – investigative reports?

Evaluating Radio

Important news presented?Local stories covered?In-depth interviews?Is there a forum for opposing viewpoints?

Evaluating Magazines

Most magazines are for special interestAre the articles varied – some light, some serious?Are viewpoints fair to opponents?Graphics – do they capture your attention?

The Ethics of Journalism

People expect honesty from the pressMore people wonder just how fair and honest

journalists are . . . 80s brought many cases of journalistic violations –

one journalist had to give back a Pulitzer prize when a main character in her story turned out to be fake.

Also plagiarism – eroded public trust in press

Codes of Ethics

They are written for journalists (however, are not enforceable by law)

The formers of the constitution felt it was better to occasionally have problems than to stop freedom of speech.

Credibility

Credibility = believability, impartiality, accuracyJournalist’s ethics decide what gets put into the

paper or on airwavesThe responsible journalist tries to serve the public’s

best interestResponsible journalists have no tolerance for

journalists who damage the credibility of the press.

Credibility

Consequences – libel charges – can happen, but consequences come after publication

Prior restraint (stopping something from being published) is illegal in U.S.

Journalists’ cherished idea of fair play keeps them honest

Accuracy

Ethical journalists follow ethics codesAccuracy is the highest principle of journalismThings must be EXACTLY CORRECT! 125 S.

Highland Ave. – NOT 125 Highland Rd.No such thing as a “small error”!

Accuracy

Smallest mistakes will reduce credibilityJournalist must check. Check again. Never, never

assume or guess about anything!

Objectivity

Objectivity = neutrality, fairness, balance, impartialityThis is the state of mind that journalists need to have

to make themselves fair, neutral observers (unbiased)

NO PERSONAL OPINIONS!!!!KKK – actions must be reported, even if reporter

thinks actions are wrong; report what they do and let the audience decide

Good Taste!

Journalists should avoid sensationalism, profanity, glamorization of bad, racy or sexist material

Simultaneous Rebuttal, or Right of Reply

If criticizing someone or a group, give them the chance to respond to the criticism in the same story!

Fairness to All!!

Everyone has a right to be treated fairlyDifferent standards should not be applied to different

people or groups

Plagiarism

No matter how much you like someone else’s phrasing, leave it alone!

Quotes are cool, but give credit!Copying/using someone else’s work is a NO-NO!Students fail!Colleges kick students out!Reporters fired!!!

Attribution

Identify where information comes from – journalists absolutely MUST give credit where credit is due

“Dude, like, Go Panthers!” Mr. Mella said today.“Man, you better not buy that salmonella infested

cereal,” advised the renowned food specialist Mr. Cleary.

THE TRUTH

NEVER fake anything!NEVER guess, speculate, or assume