Life appears to be a shapeless jumble of events, falling over each other, elbowing and jostling each other. Journalists each day structure this chaos, so that the public receives it sorted out and neatly packaged into stories, the same day on radio, television or online and the next day in newspapers. It will have been evaluated. The biggest news will be given first in the bulletin or on Page One of the paper, in detail; lesser news will be given in less detail later in the bulletin or on an inside page of the newspaper.

Have you ever thought about how we get news? There are various sources of news. You can hear it on the radio, view it on a television channel, read it in a newspaper or surf it on the internet with a computer. Here in Ghana, people in the remotest and sometimes inaccessible communities, get the news from radio and television several hours and sometimes a few days earlier before the newspaper arrives. According to the Collins English Dictionary, “News is information about a recently changed situation or a recent event.”

However, news is something that you come across every day in your life. What makes news? John Bogart has given this comment that became synonymous with news. When a dog bites a man, it is no news, because it happens so often. But if a man bites a dog, that is news. This may seem true, sometimes, when a dog bites a man that can also become news. Suppose a dog bites a famous film star, it definitely makes big news. It is said that the letters in the word “NEWS” is derived from the four directions as indicated below:
N orth
E ast
W est
S outh
This shows that news can come from anywhere. News is the report of a current event, something that was not known, information of recent events and happenings.

Journalism changes overtime to accommodate different technology and ways of getting information to the public. It’s the job of journalism schools and students to include this in their education.
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, journalism is “… the collection, preparation, and distribution of news and related commentary and feature materials through such media as pamphlets, newsletters, newspapers, magazines, radio, motion pictures, television, books, blogs, webcasts, podcasts, and e-mail.”
Journalism is continually evolving to meet the needs of its audience. The list of media the Encyclopedia Britannica described above has changed over the years, but would have once started and ended with “newspaper.”

Early History

The media in the Gold Coast, now Ghana first emerged in the 19th century with the publication of The Gold Coast Gazette and Commercial Intelligencer in 1822. In the mid-19th century, a diverse number of African-owned papers appeared that were largely unrestricted by the colonial government. This led to a surge of independent press, which in part led to the independence of Ghana. Colonial Governor Sir Arnold Hodson introduced the first radio channel, named Radio ZOY, in 1935. Its main use was to spread propaganda to gain support of the colonies. Following the 7 March 1957 declaration of independence by Ghana from the United Kingdom, there were only around four newspapers.

What is journalism today?

The answer to “what is journalism?” In 1690 was easy: a newspaper. With the rise of technology, the answer today is more nuanced. It’s still the research and dissemination of news to the public. But you can’t just print it in a newspaper and call it a day. There are so many ways that news can be disseminated that it can be overwhelming for international students to choose which branch of journalism to study. It is also difficult for journalism schools to develop curricula that cover it all.

In a nutshell, the art of journalism requires an aptitude for perceiving, scoring out and reporting the major happenings around, concerning all classes of people as well as an inclination for interpreting and giving an interesting shape to news.

Reference

Ahuja, B.N. and Chhabra, S.S. ,2008, Principles and Techniques of Journalism, SURJEET PUBLICATIONS, India.

The journalist performs a very important role as means of mass communication in the modern world. The journalist tries to inform its reader objectively about what is happening in the community, country and the world at large. To bring certain developments into focus, editorial comments on the news are also given. Some of the journalistic functions include informing and the interpretation function.
The journalist performs the function of interpreting facts. People generally believe what’s in a newspaper because it’s printed language. It’s healthy to question what is read, as information is gathered from different sources before establishing an opinion. A reporter tries to provide facts in such a manner so as to persuade the reader to interpret the information based on the way it’s being delivered. A good reporter needs to also be able to verify gathered facts. This function enables the audience gain more insight and added perspective on given news stories. In reference to the GJA code of ethics, the journalist recognizes the public’s right to fair, unbiased, accurate, balanced and comprehensive information.
Another function of the journalist is to inform its audience. This function includes all reports, news, and happenings concerning the daily life. It does not include any information involving or concerning the pursuit of leisure. In performing its function, journalists provide us with information on local, national and international events. A good journalist who is well trained will gather facts through research and write on subjects to increase awareness among readers of all walks of lives. In accordance to the GJA code of ethics, the journalist upholds the public interest and the right of the public to be informed.
Fundamental Human Rights are considered as basic human rights of all citizens irrespective of their gender, caste, religion or creed. These sections are the vital elements of the constitution of the Republic of Ghana. In chapter five, article 21(f), “it’s stated that every person has the right to information, subject to such qualification and as are necessary in a democratic society”.

To conclude, the journalist performs specific functions such as to interpret facts, and to inform. The journalist therefore performs these functions with reference to the constitution of the Republic of Ghana, and in relation to the GJA code of ethics therefore striking the balance between the public’s right to know and the fundamental human right of individuals.

Journalism helps us to explain the events that impact our lives and is developed in a number of forms and styles. Each journalistic form and style uses different techniques and writes for different purposes and audiences. There are five principal forms that journalism interacts with the society:

Straight News
When you tell a story just as it is, it is also called a News report. Straight news is ideally succinct and straightforward. Simply to inform us about the happening just as it is. Facts are relayed without flourishes or interpretation. A typical news story often constitutes a headline with just enough explanation to orient the reader. News stories lack the depth of a feature story, or the questioning approach of an investigative story. Rather, they relay facts, events and information to society in a straightforward, accurate and unbiased manner.

Feature Article
Feature writing provides scope, depth, and interpretation of trends, events, topics or people. Features aim not only to thoroughly explore a topic by conducting interviews with numerous experts or the key people involved, but to offer a previously unseen perspective on an event, issue, or person. Feature writing commonly wins prestigious awards when it manages to achieve this goal. They rarely have news leads. Instead, they more often have novelty. They apply all the principles of effective writing to achieve unity, coherence, and emphasis.

Editorials

McNair (1998) says editorial is a way a newspaper or periodical ‘speaks out’ in its public voice. Editorial is a kind of journalism that helps to establish the position of a newspaper (media house) on an issue. It is used by a newspaper to express their opinion or viewpoints. The modern editorial page has developed its own technique. It came more in touch with the social sciences. It began to be based on survey reports, analysis of public finances and reference material and began to provide an intelligent, comprehensive analysis of puzzling situations.

Commentary/Column
This is a journalistic style in which the journalist presents his or her readers with an authoritative viewpoint on a particular issue. Columns are based primarily on the personality of the author, allowing him or her to write about subjects in a personal style. Column writers can take a humorous approach, or specialize in a particular subject area or topic. It’s important for columnists to develop their own voice that is recognizable by their readership.

Interviews
In journalism, interviews are one of the most important methods used to collect information, and present views to readers, listeners, or viewers. The interview probes the views and policies of those in the news or those who make the news especially politicians and celebrities. It is also a survey of views or opinions of an individual who is an authority and powerful or an influential person.

In 1923, the American Society of Newspaper Editors adopted an ethical code known as the canons of journalism in response to the growing amount of in newspapers. There are seven canons of journalism: Responsibility, Freedom of the press, Independence, Sincerity/ truthfulness/ accuracy, Fair play and Decency. They let the world of the press have their wide range of journalistic freedom, but they help to set limits and regulations more along the lines of what is right and what is wrong.

The first Canon is Responsibility. A Journalist must always consider the public’s welfare. This means that journalists must use great care when publishing information. They can ultimately say anything about anyone and put it in the press. By considering the public’s welfare, journalists must maintain accuracy with what information they are given. This is the responsibility of the journalist to only publish what is true, which will also be of the public’s trust. A journalist who uses his power for any selfish or otherwise unworthy purpose cannot be trusted.

The second Canon is Freedom of the Press. Freedom of the press can be found in chapter 12 of the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana. It protects the journalist’s right to say what he has to say. As long as it is the truth, they cannot get in trouble for what they write or say in the article. The person has the right to say what he believes the public has the right to know. This can help readers find out things that they may not normally know about someone or something.

The third Canon is Independence. Journalists are supposed to be independent from sources, politics, and advertisers. Being independent means no one can tell you how to write something, when to write it, or what to write about. There are a lot of companies and advertisers that want journalists to write propaganda to either make them look good or make their opponents look bad. A true journalist will not give in to these types of people, but will ensure that the truth is told about everyone.

The fourth Canon is sincerity, truthfulness, accuracy. Journalists should show good faith with the reader and that the journalism is worthy of the name. They should not write something just to slander another or hurt someone’s feelings. When being truthful, journalists need to always produce the truth in everything they write. Being known as a journalist who only lies about one’s works does not give a good reputation. Also, being known for publishing the truth will make readers trust you the journalist and want to read your works. Journalists must be accurate, too. When getting information, a journalist needs to confirm one’s sources and make sure everything that is written is correct. No one is perfect, though, and there will always be some mistakes. That is why it is good to learn from them and move on.

The fifth Canon is Impartiality. News reports should be free from opinion or bias of any kind. There are always two sides to every story. It is the job of a journalist to publish the full story, with both sides, so the public can read it and make a fair opinion for themselves. Everyone has an opinion, but when it comes to being a journalist it is not right to express one’s opinion in a news story.

The sixth Canon is Fair play. This canon says that journalists should not write any slander or negativity towards anyone without them having a chance to state their side as well. As mentioned earlier, there are two sides to every story. It would not be fair to the side that is getting accused if the public believes any slander or negativity without knowing both sides of the story. If a journalist makes an error, it is that person’s responsibility to correct the error at once to avoid conflicts.

The last Canon is Decency. This canon says that journalists should not write something just because they do not like someone or something, and also everyone deserves equal treatment. This canon is about following morals and what is right and wrong. It is not right to write or say something negative about another just because a journalist’s opinion of that person might not be positive.

These are the seven canons of journalism. Each plays a huge part in the world of journalism when it comes down to morals and ethics. Without these canons, journalism would not be what it is today.

Sources:

ambermubeen.files.wordpress.com

theblogitor.wordpress.com

This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.

You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.

Why do this?

• Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
• Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.

The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.

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• Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
• What topics do you think you’ll write about?
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• If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?

You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.

Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.

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