Ch. 14 Review Questions
What is deliberative democracy, and what does it have to do with journalism?
Deliberative democracy is where "citizen groups, local government, and the news media work together more actively to shape social, economic, and political agendas." Journalism covers stories so if deliberative democracy is in place the story can be influenced.
Why is getting a story first important to reporters?
Gives the station, company, or news reporter some sort of "heroic light" for getting the information first. In a way they have won the race for facts ahead of their rivals. Pretty much pride in beating their competitors.
What roe do satirical news programs like SNL's "Weekend Update", "The Daily show" and "last week tonight" play in the world of journalism
In a way they are another news outlet and gives people a different perspective and way to get their information. Rather than receiving an all serious view of what's going on they can get a more light feel and might even understand the news better. "They present an informative and insightful look at current events and the way "traditional" media cover them."
Explain the values shift in journalism today from a more detached or neutral model to a more partisan or assertion model
In early media, having a neutral model could reach as many people as possible across a wide spectrum but today the media is moving more towards a partisan model to target certain groups and spread certain information. Ex: politics (Fox News and MSNBC had the highest ratings, however they were two different spectrums of political party.)
How is credibility established in TV news as comparented with print journalism
On print, ads take up space and online/TV networks have to put the ads in based on time limit. On print, a person can feel more detached to the story and think of it as less credible. People like to see a familiar face and actually trust news anchors and believe that what they say on live TV is more credible.
In what ways has the internet influenced traditional forms of journalism
People expect to hear the information ASAP so getting the news story out quick is needed. Online posts are a lot easier than printed stories. To enhance online reports, people are expected to provide video and audio for their stories. Reporters would rather have an in person interview rather than email since the email interview gives the people to refine and shape their answer in a certain way rather than a spontaneous question that might accidentally reveal information. Also, journalists are expected to tweet or blog.
What is public journalism? In what easy is it believed to make journalism better
People expect to hear the information ASAP so getting the news story out quick is needed. Online posts are a lot easier than printed stories. To enhance online reports, people are expected to provide video and audio for their stories. Reporters would rather have an in person interview rather than email since the email interview gives the people to refine and shape their answer in a certain way rather than a spontaneous question that might accidentally reveal information. Also, journalists are expected to tweet or blog.
What are the connections between so-called neutral journalism and the business side of a news organization
They both need to have non bias when reporting stories. There is no favoring one side or another. It is equal but does not touch personal to a certain group.
Why have reporters become so dependent on experts
To keep a non bias on the story, even if they do have expertise knowledge in the subject, seeking out an expert makes the story more credible. They then can use quotes to help the story or even create a narrative conflict.
What are the criteria used for determining newsworthiness
timeliness, proximity, conflict, prominence, human interest, consequence, usefulness, and deviance
Explain how the definition of "fake news" has shifted over time
"Fake News" was just for entertainment and was not taken that serious when it first started. However in this younger generation, "fake news" is becoming more popular and actually informs viewers of what is going on in the world. In some cases studies have shown people who watch the "fake news" shows are better informed on what's going on.
How do issues such as deception and privacy present ethical problems for journalists
-Deception can be taken in different meanings be each individual reporter, so how far can they go and is it ethical. There are two terms for each end to determine deception as ethical or not: absolute ethics and situational ethics. Absolute means to be honest at all times and situational means in certain situations depending on story. -When it comes to privacy there is a blurred line between "the public's right to know" and a person's right to privacy. Again depending on the situation will determine if releasing such information is ethical or not. -Both of these issues are hard to determine for journalists since there is not a clear answer for what to do leading to uncertain judgement for what's right and not ethical.
What are some of the factors affecting the decline in the number of journalists
America's trust in the mass media has decreased 21%. The public relation jobs are now 2:1 to journalists. Fewer journalists are able to get information and fact check PR information. More students coming out of college are taking PR jobs rather than as a journalist.