Twelve Metaphors for Journalism

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aphors.pdf

Lecture scope

journalism as perceived by practitioners

journalism as perceived by scholars

❓What are Metaphors

difference to simile (it goes straight to the point rather than using the word “like”

pick-up lines are modern day metaphors

Journalism Metaphors
Metaphors as direct reflections of the prisms through which news making has come to be understood

directed from journalistic practice, reflection of populations, type of news work, media and tech and relevant
historical time periods and geographical settings

has a visual element

Journalism as perceived by practitioners

seamless tracking of news, “nose for news,” “keep your ears on the ground”

when journalism falls short of expectations: faulty development of the sixth sense/underdeveloped noses

Container
phenomenon with volume, materiality, dimension and complexity

keeping the news intact (so precious like the blood of Christ)

you don’t want others to have it (commitment to the best version of the truth

keeping the news within limits or checking its untoward expansion

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ex: CICL, nudity, etc.

“journalistic depth”

goes beyond the superficial and play to the volume and complexity of info in the world

stories with great depth should be simplified for the audience

turns complex issues into understandable studies

containers could be “coke sakto” bottles or “1.5 litros

material is unevenly valued (eg scoops, importance of audience engagement)

exclusive stories should be given space, in the gap one

“news holes” — capacity of an outlet to deliver news

some stories have more publication power

ex: GMA mas more power to audience reach compared ABS CBN

problem: space because the paper has many ads

Mirror
journalism as a work observation, tantamount to gazing on reality; objective happenings taking place

reflects the common notion that journalism is a portrayal of the truth

central to professional notions of objectivity

used by orgs to promote themselves

“in pursuit of the truth”

able to reflect what they see into the processing of the news

no more, no less; that’s the way it goes

criticism: has limitations because of content based on perspectives

ads, media ownership, personal/executive biases

therefore it is not a mirror of reality

news goes thru the editorial board (selective process)

news becomes a product of interpretation

Story
narrative that carries news information

describes what journalists produce when gathering and presenting news

vie for public attention

competition (limited space and airtime)

draws about different expectations about the most valuable kind of information

the style in which its presented and presentation position

Twelve Metaphors for Journalism 2

straight news (5 Ws and H) and narrative journalism (feature stories)

form changes with the ascent of new medium

podcast, multimedium, etc.

the look of the story changes (the medium is the message)

Child
requires careful nurturing

for new parents, they take turns to stay up all night for the baby

fragile and vulnerable; requires attention, supervision and care

unreasonable and unpredictable on call presence

readily available so as to protect journalism’s perceived value

ex: a reporter already eating dinner is suddenly called by their editor to cover a breaking event

forces on journalists a combination of a watchdog role

protecting from propaganda and forces that seek to dismantle

helps legitimate journalists’ need to remain invested in their craft

would you want a job that does not have fixed hours?

Service
for public interest (healthy citizenship)

media as fourth estate

“serbisyong totoo lamang” or “in service of the Filipino people”

void of detail about which kinds of journalists serve which public

problem: definition of service is vague; news outlets serve different things (different kinds of journalism,
different kinds of audience etc.)

“what interests the public is not the same as public interest”

they want food, we give them junk food

we want the clicks and engagements

market driven journalism

problem: audiences don’t like to consume serious issues

Engagement
can accommodate and facilitate audience investment

live tweeting, reporters active on social media

you want them to have a voice

longstanding objective of serving the public

Twelve Metaphors for Journalism 3

narrower sets of issues

they don’t point to a lasting investment in the news writ large

they speak your language in the name of engagement

Scholars on Journalism
Profession
boundary work, establishing difference journ and non-journ

delineation — separation of journalists to other communicators

body of knowledge or ideological orientation

institutional firewall: why accredit vloggers in Malacangang

safeguard against change of standard

we don’t want people to loose the essence of the craft

we don’t want rebellion

criticism: promotes client-professional relationship (public has no real control over info)

some think they can also do the things journalists do

who’s the real client? — the public (though they do not pay you) or advertisers (lifeblood of the publication)

challenge: digital environment complicates notion of journalism as a profession but the idea lives on

Institution
socio-political, economic and cultural privilege

political: journos sway public opinion, so politicians befriend you

economic: you hub nub with tycoons and business names

cultural: journalists are members of the frontlines

wielding power, sharing public opinion, and controlling distribution of society’s information or symbolic resources

power: could raise concerns from community to government level

public opinion: credibility, expert, etc.

links with other institutions

networks (government, market)

counter uncertainty; institutional regime of news

hierarchy of bosses

Text
patterned relay of news

how to write leads, AP style,

Twelve Metaphors for Journalism 4

importance, interest a concern w certain types of events, currency or timeliness and factuality

ex: 9-11 headline

evolving notion of different kinds of news styles

print vs. broadcast; mainstream vs. alternative; old vs, new media, elite vs. tabloid

permeable, dynamic, interactive and personalized than before

People
journalists write the “first draft of history”

who is a journalist attempts to define the journalistic community

Practice
gathering, presenting and disseminating news

focuses on the practical and symbolic dimensions of the practice

ex: ponente — main writer then other writers would copy (kopyahan sa beat)

pragmatic effects (information relay, agenda setting)

shaping consensus by relying upon tested routines, practices and formulas for gathering and presenting
news

set of news work practices changes due to changes in tech

writers are asked to be standuppers

new demands (ie. digital proficiency); collective operation

adobe premiere pro/imovie Photoshop skills

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