Community Voices

Learning Objectives After this lesson, you will be able to: After this lesson, you will be able to: - discuss how journalists can contribute to a sense of community - identify the roles and responsibilities of journalists - discuss why valuing diversity makes journalistic efforts stronger

The Value of Voices Journalism is a vital force in your life and in the life of your community. The news media (newspapers, magazines, television, radio and computer networks) help people communicate with one another. Journalism is a vital force in your life and in the life of your community. The news media (newspapers, magazines, television, radio and computer networks) help people communicate with one another. The majority of what the average citizen learns from the world comes from journalists. Journalists help shape our perception of reality and have a responsibility to be truthful, fair and ethical. The majority of what the average citizen learns from the world comes from journalists. Journalists help shape our perception of reality and have a responsibility to be truthful, fair and ethical.

Newspapers Weekly newspaper - a paper published once a week, usually in a small town. Weekly newspaper - a paper published once a week, usually in a small town. Daily newspaper – a paper published once a day (except in some cases on weekends), usually in a large town or city. Daily newspaper – a paper published once a day (except in some cases on weekends), usually in a large town or city. High school newspapers resemble a weekly newspaper. Both provide information about things that are going to happen or have happened High school newspapers resemble a weekly newspaper. Both provide information about things that are going to happen or have happened

Activity At your desk, list as many names of weekly and daily newspapers as possible. At your desk, list as many names of weekly and daily newspapers as possible.

Making Connections High Schools resemble communities- communities with many roles and niches. High Schools resemble communities- communities with many roles and niches. The principal—mayor The principal—mayor Student Council—community leaders Student Council—community leaders Everyone else pursues a wide array of interests Everyone else pursues a wide array of interests The student journalists report on all the activities, keeping the members of the community in touch with one another. The student journalists report on all the activities, keeping the members of the community in touch with one another.

Roles and Responsibilities of Journalism Journalism—the gathering and reporting of the news. (Represents a search for the truth) Journalism—the gathering and reporting of the news. (Represents a search for the truth) Journalist—a person who gathers and reports the news (reporters, TV anchors and radio correspondents) or who provides the financial, managerial and technical support that is necessary to transmit the news (publishers, station owners, directors and camera operators) Journalist—a person who gathers and reports the news (reporters, TV anchors and radio correspondents) or who provides the financial, managerial and technical support that is necessary to transmit the news (publishers, station owners, directors and camera operators)

Responsibilities of Journalists Credibility—the belief that what someone says is true, this is why accuracy is the most important responsibility of journalists Credibility—the belief that what someone says is true, this is why accuracy is the most important responsibility of journalists Reporters need to VERIFY a fact, or, check it for accuracy (names, numbers, dates, etc.) Reporters need to VERIFY a fact, or, check it for accuracy (names, numbers, dates, etc.)

Responsibilities of Journalists cont. Journalists must also be fair, balanced and objective Journalists must also be fair, balanced and objective Objectivity—a lack of personal feelings or bias Objectivity—a lack of personal feelings or bias Reporters work to present the facts in a straightforward and neutral manner Reporters work to present the facts in a straightforward and neutral manner

The Roles of Journalists MOST journalists strive for a high standard of objectivity MOST journalists strive for a high standard of objectivity They use their privileged status and access, guaranteed by the First Amendment (freedom of speech and freedom of the press) They use their privileged status and access, guaranteed by the First Amendment (freedom of speech and freedom of the press)

The Role of Journalism Journalism as a Spotlight Journalism as a Spotlight Journalism as a Spotlight Journalism as a Spotlight Journalism as a Database Journalism as a Database Journalism as a Database Journalism as a Database Journalism as an Open Forum Journalism as an Open Forum Journalism as an Open Forum Journalism as an Open Forum Keeping Democracy in Motion Keeping Democracy in Motion Keeping Democracy in Motion Keeping Democracy in Motion

Journalism as a Spotlight Provides a spotlight to examine people and events Provides a spotlight to examine people and events Set an agenda for public issues by the choices they make regarding what stories to cover and ignore Set an agenda for public issues by the choices they make regarding what stories to cover and ignore Give priority or prominence to stories Give priority or prominence to stories Seek to provide accurate, up-to-date information on events that affect the lives of their audience Seek to provide accurate, up-to-date information on events that affect the lives of their audience Protect the rights of citizens and look for future trends Protect the rights of citizens and look for future trends

Journalism as a Database A typical newspaper contains a wide variety of informative items beyond the regular news stories (box scores and standings, weather forecasts, charts and graphs, etc.) A typical newspaper contains a wide variety of informative items beyond the regular news stories (box scores and standings, weather forecasts, charts and graphs, etc.) Learning how to use the data effectively is part of becoming an efficient, media- savvy consumer Learning how to use the data effectively is part of becoming an efficient, media- savvy consumer Many newspapers now offer online services to help readers Many newspapers now offer online services to help readers Consider the news media as a marketplace of ideas Consider the news media as a marketplace of ideas

Journalism as a Database Responsibilities Interpret and Explain Interpret and Explain Interpret and Explain Interpret and Explain Entertain and Amuse Entertain and Amuse Entertain and Amuse Entertain and Amuse Keep a Record Keep a Record Keep a Record Keep a Record

Journalism as a Database Responsibilities cont. Interpreting and Explaining Interpreting and Explaining journalists help their audience to understand and interpret the stories of the dayjournalists help their audience to understand and interpret the stories of the day radio and tv often offer personal views, called commentaries, to help shape public opinion; newspapers share opinions on the editorial pageradio and tv often offer personal views, called commentaries, to help shape public opinion; newspapers share opinions on the editorial page

Journalism as a Database Responsibilities cont. Entertaining and Amusing Entertaining and Amusing -Comics, crossword puzzles and advice columns provide entertainment and give a lighter side to the news -Journalists also provide reviews of various kinds of entertainment including movies, CDs, concerts, and even haunted houses -TV and radio news programs are often as entertaining as they are informative (60 Minutes, NPR)

Journalism as a Database Responsibilities cont. Keeping a Record Keeping a Record -Newspapers serve future historians by keeping accurate records -Elections, births, deaths, weddings, anniversaries, crimes and court records are recorded and preserved -The New York Times prides itself on being the paper of record in the US

Journalism as an Open Forum Public Journalism—A style of journalism that seeks to revitalize public life and to promote a sense among members of the public that their institutions actually belong to them Public Journalism—A style of journalism that seeks to revitalize public life and to promote a sense among members of the public that their institutions actually belong to them Public journalism goes beyond politicians, experts and special interest groups to find out what ordinary people think about the issues discussed in the media and what they think are the real issues Public journalism goes beyond politicians, experts and special interest groups to find out what ordinary people think about the issues discussed in the media and what they think are the real issues

Keeping Democracy in Motion During the past few years a number of newspapers across the country have launched public service projects that go beyond reporting and editorializing to provide hands-on community leadership During the past few years a number of newspapers across the country have launched public service projects that go beyond reporting and editorializing to provide hands-on community leadership Reader response column, hotline or neighbors section Reader response column, hotline or neighbors section

Many Cultures, Many Voices Journalists involved in public journalism need to report, write and edit news for the entire community Journalists involved in public journalism need to report, write and edit news for the entire community Their news stories need to represent the various segments of the community Their news stories need to represent the various segments of the community Reporters and editors have been concerned about diversity in the newsroom for a long time, but improvements have been slow in coming Reporters and editors have been concerned about diversity in the newsroom for a long time, but improvements have been slow in coming

Steady but Slow Progress Comparison % African American 5.5% African American 3% Hispanic 3% Hispanic 2% Asian American 2% Asian American.4% Native American.4% Native American Also, women made up 30% of newsroom staff of daily newspapers Also, women made up 30% of newsroom staff of daily newspapers % African American 5.4% African American 3.5% Hispanic 3.5% Hispanic 2.3% Asian American 2.3% Asian American.4% Native American.4% Native American Also, women made up 37% of newsroom staff of daily newspapers Also, women made up 37% of newsroom staff of daily newspapers

Slow but Steady Progress cont. The block in more fully integrating the members of the press is the lack of qualified minority applicants The block in more fully integrating the members of the press is the lack of qualified minority applicants High school journalism programs become the launchpads for sending a new generation of journalists of all races and backgrounds into professional journalism High school journalism programs become the launchpads for sending a new generation of journalists of all races and backgrounds into professional journalism The fact that few minority students are on their school media staffs has meant an absence of their views and voices The fact that few minority students are on their school media staffs has meant an absence of their views and voices

Slow but Steady Progress cont. Journalists are becoming more concerned about gender equality. Opinion pages, political magazines, public affairs talk shows and newspaper columns are largely male dominated. Journalists are becoming more concerned about gender equality. Opinion pages, political magazines, public affairs talk shows and newspaper columns are largely male dominated. All people need to feel that the newspapers and broadcast stations in their community “belong” to them. All people need to feel that the newspapers and broadcast stations in their community “belong” to them.

Suggestions for Making Publications More Diverse One challenge as a high school journalist is to make each group and individual genuinely feel a part of your school One challenge as a high school journalist is to make each group and individual genuinely feel a part of your school 1-Diversity is special 2-No cliques in journalism 3-Use diverse talent in creative ways 4-Turn anger into ideas Cultural barriers can be broken down and what all students think matters. Cultural barriers can be broken down and what all students think matters. Journalism is one important way that a school can give everyone that sense. Journalism is one important way that a school can give everyone that sense.

Activities What do you consider your most important news source? What do you consider your most important news source? How many of you have written/ ed a newspaper or called in to a radio station? How many of you have written/ ed a newspaper or called in to a radio station? How do you use the newspaper or television news as a resource? How do you use the newspaper or television news as a resource? When do you consult it?When do you consult it? What information do you seek?What information do you seek? How would you find the information otherwise?How would you find the information otherwise? Find a review in the newspaper. What is about? Find a review in the newspaper. What is about? What is the ethnic make-up of the news shows that you watch? What is the ethnic make-up of the news shows that you watch?

Sources Schaffer, James, Randall McCutcheon and Kathryn T. Stofer. Journalism Matters. Lincolnwood: Contemporary, Schaffer, James, Randall McCutcheon and Kathryn T. Stofer. Journalism Matters. Lincolnwood: Contemporary, 2001.