Midterm Flashcards
First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Journalism Definition(Class definition)
The objective recreation of reality in context
Bullet Technique
A method used by reporters to remember bits of information more proficiently
On The Record
information provided to a journalist that can be released and attributed by name to the source
Off The Record
information provided to a journalist that will not be released to the public
Sensationalism
the use of exciting or shocking stories or language at the expense of accuracy, in order to provoke public interest or excitement (also known as the upsell).
Fundamentality
The essential facts to a story
Metaphysics
the study of the nature of existence, space, time, causality and the human mind
Epistemology
the study of how journalists and news organizations know what they know and how they justify their knowledge claims.
Aesthetics
the use of documentary techniques and journalistic methods where the medium itself undergoes questioning
Law of Identity
that which is real, exists
Baron on Objectivity
Baron defends the concept of objectivity in journalism, emphasizing its importance across various professions, including law, medicine, and business. He argues that objectivity is essential for fair and accurate evaluations, particularly in an era of misinformation. Critics of objectivity contend that it is unattainable and may lead to false balance, but Baron asserts that these critiques misrepresent the original intent of objectivity, which is about impartial investigation and rigorous truth-seeking.
Lead
A lead should be no more than 30 words
The lead should be either a “what” or “who” depending on whether it is about a person or different elements
Immediate ID vs Delayed ID
Immediate ID is when you know the person’s name and don’t have to research
Delayed ID is when you have to find the name of the person in the story, but you use their title instead so you can get the story out
Summary vs Multiple Elements
Summary is when there is one main topic and you summarize the story
Multiple Elements is when there are several important topics to talk about. You mention all of them but in a short matter.
Inverted Pyramid
Try to include all 5 W’s in the lead if possible
Never put time first in the lead
Make sure you use proper titles
Don’t abbreviate states in the lead
When writing the rest of the story, say all the significant things first and then less significant things go down.
When restricted to only a certain amount of words, pick out the things that relate to the lead and leave out the other none important details.
What does using confidential sources risk in journalism?
Confidential sources risks journalists’ information to become harmful to society. If a confidential source gets out, lots of journalist will go to that source to get a foot up on the competition. A confidential source can also risk the lack of objectivity in an article.
From our class discussion, why does a free press help to preserve a fair trial?
Free press lets people keep the government in check, making it to where the government cannot trail people unfairly. Once people are made aware of an unfair trial, through some sort of news outline, the press can expose the government for their wrong doings.
What are the 3 revolutions of communications?
Scribal, Printing Press, Electronic Age
What are three significant journalism contributions made by Benjamin Harris?
- Made the first newspaper
- First to be censored
- Brought forth the format of the newspaper we know today
What are the two significant outcomes of the Zenger trial?
- Telling the truth was the get out of jail free card for the first time and was not found liable of libel
- The jury chose to interrupt the law for the first time
Who invented the printing press?
Johannes Gutenberg
What was the famous quote from Marshall McLuhan?
The medium is the message
When did the printing press first come to the colonies and when did the first newspaper release?
1638; 1690
What is the name of the longest running newspaper and what is it called today?
The New England Courrent; The Hartford Courrent
Who made the New England Courrent and what year was is released?
James Franklin; 1721
What was Ben Franklin’s pen name?
Silence Dogood
What year was the Zenger Trial?
1735
Libel Law
Journalist are covered by laws to write about the government, as long as it is fair and impartial
Qualified Priviledge
Higher standard for public officials to prove libel
Example:
People like the president can get away with saying outrages things because they have the power. If journalists mess up once, they could be held liable for libel.
Fair comment
can be referred to as the opinion’s defense
Milkovich vs The Lorain Journal
- Statements of opinion can be libel if the statement is proven “true or false”
- The way of writing certain words can make it a fact or an opinion
What is the most famous libel case?
New York Times vs Sulavan (1964)
Actual Malice
reckless disregard of the truth
What did the AP vs Walker case expand?
It expanded the actual malice test to celebrities, as well as public officials
What did the Gertz vs Welch case bring?
-Widen their distinction on who is a public or private individuals
-It depends on how much you put yourself out in the public
-Promotion and Circumstances
What is the Gross Negligence Test?
NY state’s test if a journalist has been irresponsible
Who is Richard Jewell?
He was a man that saved many people from a death by an exploding bomb. He was labeled a hero, until he turned into the suspect for the one planting the bomb. He was a private individual, until he kept doing interviews and things like that, making him a public individual.
How do you quote a public figure?
Quote them directly and don’t change their words