Journalism In-class activity

Journalism In-class activity Which of the following accurately describes the role of a large market news broadcast director - The news director handles the details of camera placement and staff activities. The role of a news director relates to overseeing the general daily production of a broadcast. One principle that is important to remember in writing a script for a news broadcast is that: - Viewers have only one chance to register the information presented to them. Broadcast writing must be simple and straightforward in order to communicate effectively the first time to viewers. What was the legal significance of the 1735 trial of John Peter Zenger for the practice of journalism? - it established that published material could not be considered libel if it was based on fact. It has to be more than the words that were simply not true. The old English practice was that if you could prove it was not true then it was libel. Criticizing a public official in print does not constitute libel. Edward R. Murrow contributed to development of American journalism in which of the following ways? - He actively reported on issues of public interest and operated largely outside the traditional authority of a corporate newsroom (remember he paid for ads on CBS to air his interviews). Murrow was known as an advocate for the public interest, was well known for actively investigating and reporting the news rather than announcing it. He worked outside the traditional structure of a corporate newsroom. Which of the following best demonstrates the contribution made by Fredrick Douglas to the development of the American press? - He founded a successful abolitionist paper that became widely read nationwide. His newspaper played a huge role in anti-slavery in the US Which of the following is not a traditional role of the press in authoritarian society? - To act as a voice for the people in states without democratic representation. Remember that Journalist are the watchdog of the government. Authoritarian government wants to suppress therefore losing the watchdog. A watchdog is a democratic role. Which of the following is an example of how the medium affects of the interpretation of the information reported? - The 1960 Presidential debate in which radio listeners and television viewers came to two different conclusions on who won the debate. The answer must have a clear example of consuming two different types of media and how the interpet things differently A student mentions during a class discussion that she heard that the Spanish-American War marked a new role for new media. How could a journalism teacher clarify the new role the media played in the war? - Have students read a factual account of the USS Maine and then compare it with an illustrated story that appeared in a Hurst newspaper. This was one of the first attempts at "yellow journalism" which exaggerates stories to attract larger audiences and boost sales. What was the significance of the Supreme Court case Hazlewood vs. Khulmeier? - It allows school authorities to censor student publications if they determine that the publications are not a "public forum" of student expression. It ruled that schools could restrict freedom of speech if they had a valid educational reason to do so. What is an example of the press' function as a source of influence on public opinion? - An editorial advocating for the repeal of local zoning laws. The press has many roles such as to inform, persuade, or entertain. An editorial represents an official opinion of the newspaper and an attempt to influence the public to share it. Needs to attempt to persuade Which of the following stories messages is significantly distorted through the use of irrelevant detail? - A local news report about a local citizen protesting property tax rates that include details about an immigration violation that he committed twenty years previously. This one distorts the main idea of the story. In questions like this look for irrelevant details. What is one important way that business interests influence the content of television news? - Private businesses buy airtime for their commercials and withdraw their financial support for a news program they find unacceptable. Television programs rely on funding from commercials so they risk alienating their sponsors. What is one advantage that online journalism has over traditional print journalism - Stories published through online media can be published and corrected much more quickly than those of print. The main advantage of online is speed and connivence, you can get information out quicker and to more people. In class a student argues that the improvement of television technology has made the government more responsive to its citizens. Which example could a journalism teacher offer the student to help her support her view? - Cable news networks now offer viewers 24-hour coverage of their government at work, rather than just the highlights. Remember the watchdog role. What is an example of the best video to show students in a lesson about the increased importance of amateur in the production of news? - Footage of a natural disaster aired on a cable news network that was shot and submitted by a viewer. The viewer would be an amateur Students are discussing the intersection between money and television production. What point should a good journalism teacher reinforce about the subject? - All media, regardless of whether it is commercial or nonprofit, depends on funding. All media must rely on funding whether that is from grants, government, or advertising. Funding matters. A journalism teacher asks students to locate the public financial information for each of the major television networks and daily newspapers. What is one lesson that they can learn from this? - That media companies are for-profit enterprises and may have investments that creates a conflict of interest in their news coverage. Media companies are usually owned by bigger companies (think NBC and Comcast) that own other enterprises that prevent them from reporting on these companies. A class is asked to find and submit a news story for discussion. One student submits a story from a website that all appears to be written by the same individual. What could a journalism instructor do to point out to the student to help him determine the reliability of the website as a source of information? - The website does not have an editorial board and, therefore not subject to scrutiny over the objectivity or factuality of a story published there. It could be more opinion based since its just one person. In a lesson on mass media, a teacher is showing commercials and analyzing their hidden messages. Which of the following demonstrates professional authority not supported by evidence? - A commercial for cold medicine narrated by a man in a doctor's coat. The viewers do not know that the man is not a doctor. Look for professional authority. Which of the following would be considered an ethical violation by a student photographer? - Digitally removing the figure of a student from a candid photo with consent from all the students in the group. It is being photoshopped a changing reality this is the unethical part. It is misrepresenting reality. The truth matter is in journalism. Remember if it is in public you do not need consent.