Subject:Journalism and Mass Communication

Title: Introduction to Journalism and Communication

Semester: 1st

- “Notes compiled by Kashu, February 2025.”

- “Prepared by Kashu, February 2025.”
- “Credits: Kashu, February 2025’’.

Unit 1: Introduction to Communication

### Communication: Concept and Definition

**Communication** is the process of exchanging information, ideas, thoughts, feelings,

or messages between individuals, groups, or organizations. It involves the transmission
of a message from a sender to a receiver through various channels. The process is
dynamic and can be verbal (spoken or written), non-verbal (body language, gestures,
facial expressions), or through other forms of expression.

### Types and Forms of Communication

1. **Verbal Communication**:

- **Oral Communication**: Spoken words used to convey messages (e.g.,

conversations, speeches, meetings).

- **Written Communication**: Messages conveyed through written words (e.g., letters,

emails, reports, books).

2. **Non-Verbal Communication**:

- **Body Language**: Gestures, posture, and facial expressions that convey meaning
without words.
- **Sign Language**: A visual form of communication using hand gestures, facial
expressions, and body movements.

- **Paralinguistics**: Aspects of speech such as tone, pitch, speed, and volume that
influence the meaning.

3. **Visual Communication**:

- Involves the use of visual elements (images, symbols, graphics) to convey

messages, often used in advertising, art, and media.

4. **Electronic Communication**:
 - This involves the use of electronic devices or platforms to exchange messages (e.g.,
emails, social media, phone calls, video conferencing).

5. **Interpersonal Communication**:

- Communication that occurs between two or more people, typically face-to-face,

involving both verbal and non-verbal messages.

6. **Group Communication**:

- Involves communication within a group, where multiple people exchange ideas and
messages, often seen in team discussions, meetings, and social settings.

### Mass Communication: Origin and Evolution

**Mass Communication** refers to the process of transmitting messages to a large

audience through mass media channels. The origin of mass communication can be
traced back to the invention of the printing press by **Johannes Gutenberg** in the 15 th
century. The printing press enabled the mass production of books, newspapers, and
other printed materials, making information accessible to a broader audience.

The evolution of mass communication further accelerated with the advent of new
technologies:

- **Radio (early 20th century)**: Allowed audio messages to reach a wide audience.

- **Television (mid-20th century)**: Brought visual and audio content together, enabling
even greater reach.

- **Internet (late 20th century)**: Digital platforms, websites, and social media
transformed communication, making it interactive and instantaneous on a global scale.

### Functions of Mass Communication

1. **Surveillance of the Environment**:

 - Provides information about events happening locally, nationally, and globally. News
media play a crucial role in informing the public about current affairs and issues.

2. **Correlation of Parts of Society**:

- Helps in interpreting and analyzing information, bringing different perspectives to

understanding societal issues and events. Mass media can shape public opinion and
create social awareness.

3. **Cultural Transmission**:

- Mass communication plays a significant role in transmitting cultural values,

traditions, norms, and practices across different generations and social groups.

4. **Entertainment**:

- Provides entertainment through various forms such as movies, TV shows, music,

and sports. It also serves as a means of relaxation and escapism for audiences.

5. **Socialization**:

- Mass media contribute to socializing individuals by influencing their behaviors,

beliefs, and attitudes. Through exposure to various programs and content, people learn
about societal expectations and norms.

6. **Public Service**:

- Mass communication can be used to promote public welfare by disseminating

important information regarding health, safety, education, and social issues.

7. **Advertising and Commercialization**:

- Media serve as a platform for advertisements, which in turn drives consumer

behavior, commerce, and economic activities. Businesses use mass communication to
market products, services, and ideas.
In summary, communication is a broad and dynamic field with multiple forms and
functions, and mass communication has evolved significantly to meet the growing
demands of global connectivity and societal influence.

Unit 2: Introduction to Journalism

### Different Forms of Mass Media

1. **Print Media**:

- **Newspapers**: Periodical publications that provide news, analysis, and information

on current events, often daily or weekly.

- **Magazines**: Publications that cover a specific subject matter (e.g., fashion,

politics, technology) and are typically issued weekly or monthly.

- **Books**: A longer-form medium for conveying information or storytelling, which can

be non-fiction or fiction.
- **Pamphlets & Brochures**: Informational printed materials that provide concise
information, often used for marketing or educational purposes.

2. **Broadcast Media**:

- **Radio**: Audio-based communication that transmits news, entertainment, and

information to a wide audience. It can be local or global.

- **Television**: Visual and auditory media that broadcast news, entertainment,

documentaries, and educational content to a broad audience.

- **Podcasting**: A modern form of radio where audio files are distributed over the
internet, offering flexibility in topics and global reach.

3. **Digital Media**:
 - **Websites**: Online platforms providing text, video, and multimedia content on a
wide range of topics.

- **Social Media**: Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube that
allow users to interact, share content, and follow news.

- **Blogs**: Personal or professional websites where individuals or organizations

publish articles, opinions, or stories on specific subjects.

- **Online News Portals**: Digital platforms dedicated to providing news in real-time,

such as BBC.com, CNN.com, and other local news outlets.

4. **Outdoor Media**:

- **Billboards**: Large, visible advertisements placed in public spaces for mass

communication.

- **Posters and Flyers**: Printed materials used for advertising or promoting

messages in public places.

### Journalism as a Profession: Nature and Scope

**Nature of Journalism**:

- Journalism is the profession of gathering, assessing, creating, and presenting

news and information. It aims to inform the public on a wide range of topics, such
as current events, politics, culture, economics, and science. The core
responsibility of journalists is to deliver accurate, unbiased, and timely
information to the public.

**Scope of Journalism**:

- **News Reporting**: Journalists report on current events, providing detailed accounts

of happenings in politics, economics, sports, culture, and more.
- **Investigative Journalism**: Involves in-depth research to uncover hidden information,
corruption, or misconduct, often requiring long-term effort.

- **Editorial Writing**: Journalists write opinion pieces, reviews, or commentary that

analyze and interpret news.
- **Broadcast Journalism**: Involves delivering news through television or radio formats,
presenting both audio and visual elements.

- **Online Journalism**: A growing area where journalists create content for digital
platforms, focusing on speed, interactivity, and multimedia integration.

### Journalism and Democracy: Concept of the Fourth Estate

The **”Fourth Estate”** refers to the role of the media (including journalism) as an
unofficial but influential social force, acting as a check on power, particularly in
democratic societies. The term was coined by Edmund Burke in the 18th century,
referring to the media’s ability to hold governments and other powerful institutions
accountable. In a democracy, the media serves as:

1. **A Watchdog**: Holding governments and corporations accountable by exposing

corruption, human rights violations, or failures.

2. **A Forum for Debate**: Providing a platform for diverse viewpoints, public
discussions, and debates on important societal issues.

3. **A Source of Information**: Educating the public on matters of governance, law,

health, economy, and culture to make informed decisions during elections and in daily
life.

In essence, journalism serves to ensure transparency, protect freedoms, and enable

citizens to participate fully in democratic processes.

### Job of a Journalist: Qualities and Skills of a Journalist

**Job of a Journalist**:
- The primary responsibility of a journalist is to gather, verify, and present information to
the public through various media channels. They report on events, conduct interviews,
research stories, and write articles, often with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and
objectivity.
- Journalists may work in print, broadcast, digital media, or freelance roles. They can
specialize in various fields such as politics, sports, entertainment, business, or
investigative reporting.

**Qualities of a Journalist**:

1. **Curiosity**: A strong desire to uncover the truth and learn about a wide range of
subjects.

2. **Objectivity**: The ability to report facts without bias, presenting all sides of a story
fairly.

3. **Ethical Integrity**: Adhering to journalistic standards, such as accuracy, fairness,

and honesty, and maintaining credibility.

4. **Persistence**: The willingness to go beyond the surface level to uncover more

details, especially in investigative journalism.

5. **Adaptability**: The ability to work under pressure and adapt to fast-paced news
cycles, especially in breaking news situations.

6. **Strong Communication Skills**: Excellent writing and verbal communication skills

are crucial for conveying information effectively.

**Skills of a Journalist**:

1. **Research Skills**: Ability to conduct thorough research, verify facts, and check
sources for accuracy.

2. **Writing and Editing**: Strong command of grammar, sentence structure, and the
ability to write clearly and concisely for different platforms.

3. **Interviewing Skills**: Conducting effective interviews, asking relevant questions,

and gathering insights from sources.

4. **Digital Literacy**: Proficiency in using digital tools for content creation, editing, and
distribution, such as content management systems (CMS), social media platforms, and
multimedia editing software.

5. **Critical Thinking**: Analyzing information from various sources, identifying biases,

and drawing logical conclusions to present the story objectively.

6. **Time Management**: The ability to meet tight deadlines and manage multiple tasks
in a high-pressure environment.
In summary, journalism plays a pivotal role in society, especially in democracies, by
informing citizens and holding powerful entities accountable. A journalist’s job requires a
blend of creativity, skill, and ethical responsibility, with a deep commitment to the truth
and public service.

Unit 3: Basics of News

### News: Concept and Definition

**News** refers to the timely reporting of information about events, developments, or

issues that are of interest to the public. It includes facts, analysis, and commentary on a
wide range of topics, including politics, economics, society, entertainment, and human
interest stories. News is typically communicated through various media such as
newspapers, television, radio, and digital platforms.

### Understanding What Makes News: News Values

**News values** refer to the criteria that determine whether an event or piece of
information is considered newsworthy. These factors help journalists decide which
stories are worth reporting and how they should be presented. Key news values include:

1. **Timeliness**: News must be recent or happening in the present. Timely events are
more likely to be considered newsworthy.

2. **Proximity**: Events that occur locally or have a direct impact on the audience are
more likely to be covered.

3. **Impact**: Stories that affect a large number of people or have a significant impact
on society are more newsworthy.
4. **Prominence**: Events involving well-known figures or institutions (e.g., celebrities,
politicians, organizations) are often considered more important.

5. **Conflict**: Stories involving disagreement, struggle, or tension tend to attract

attention. Conflict can be political, social, or even personal.

6. **Novelty**: Unusual, rare, or unexpected events are often considered newsworthy

because they are different from the ordinary.

7. **Human Interest**: Stories that evoke emotional responses, often about people, their
experiences, or challenges, can be captivating for audiences.

8. **Magnitude**: The scale or size of an event matters. Larger events, such as natural
disasters or significant accidents, are often prioritized in news reporting.

9. **Oddity**: Events that are out of the ordinary or bizarre can make for interesting
stories.

### Types of News

News can be classified into several types based on the content, nature, or subject
matter. Common types include:

1. **Hard News**: Stories that provide straightforward, factual information about

important events. These typically include political events, disasters, legal matters,
or major incidents. Examples include breaking news, crime reports, and
economic updates.

2. **Soft News**: Less urgent or serious stories that focus on entertainment,

lifestyle, culture, or human interest. Examples include celebrity interviews, trends,
health tips, and features about people’s personal stories.

3. **Investigative News**: In-depth reporting that uncovers hidden truths or exposes

corruption, crime, or social injustices. These stories often require extensive
research, interviews, and analysis.
 4. **Feature News**: A longer, more detailed story that explores a specific subject,
event, or person. Feature stories are often narrative-driven and can have a more
relaxed or creative style compared to hard news.

5. **Opinion/Editorial**: These types of news pieces express a point of view or

analysis on a particular issue. They often reflect the perspective of the
newspaper, magazine, or a specific journalist.

6. **International/Global News**: Stories that deal with events or issues of global

significance, such as wars, diplomacy, international agreements, or global
movements.

7. **Local News**: News that focuses on events and issues relevant to a specific
geographic area, such as a city, town, or community.

### Features and Components of a News Story: 5 W’s and One H

A well-structured news story is often organized around the **5 W’s and one H**, which
are essential questions that journalists seek to answer in their reporting. These
questions ensure that the story provides all relevant details to the reader:

1. **Who?**

- Identifies the people or organizations involved in the story. It explains who is the
main subject or source of the event.

2. **What?**

- Describes what happened. This covers the event or situation being reported.

3. **When?**
 - Tells the reader when the event occurred. Timing is crucial in news reporting to
establish relevance and context.

4. **Where?**

- Explains the location or setting of the event. The geographical context helps the
audience understand the significance and proximity of the event.

5. **Why?**

- Offers the reasons or motivations behind the event. This provides the background or
context that explains why something happened.

6. **How?**

- Describes how the event occurred, the process, or the method by which it unfolded.
This can also include the consequences of the event and the steps taken.

### Example of a News Story Using the 5 W’s and One H

**Headline:** *Fire Destroys Local Restaurant in Downtown Area*

**Lead:**
A massive fire broke out early this morning at The Golden Spoon, a popular downtown
restaurant, causing extensive damage and forcing the evacuation of nearby buildings.

**Body:**

- **Who:** The fire destroyed The Golden Spoon restaurant, owned by Chef Maria
Lopez, and affected neighboring businesses.

- **What:** A blaze broke out at approximately 4 a.m., consuming the restaurant and
spreading to nearby structures.

- **When:** The fire started around 4 a.m. on Monday, February 6, 2025.

- **Where:** The incident took place at 123 Main Street, in the heart of downtown.

- **Why:** Authorities suspect the fire may have been caused by faulty wiring in the
kitchen area, but an investigation is still ongoing.
- **How:** Firefighters arrived at the scene within minutes of receiving the call. The fire
was brought under control after three hours of intense efforts, although the restaurant
suffered significant damage.

In this structure, all of the key elements of the story are addressed to ensure clarity and
comprehensiveness, allowing readers to understand the event fully.

In summary, **news** is defined by its timeliness, relevance, and the way it is reported,
often guided by certain **news values**. Journalists structure their stories around
essential components like the **5 W’s and One H** to ensure that they provide a
complete and engaging narrative to their audience.