JOURNALISM 1

MEANING, DEFINITION AND

IMPORTANCE

The word journalism is derived from Journal which means a daily register or a
diary. To- day the word journal also connotes a newspaper, published every day or even
less often or a magazine. Thus Journalism means .the communication of information
regarding the events of a day through written words, sounds or pictures. And a
journalist is a person who writes for or conducts a newspaper or a magazine. He is also
called a press man.
HISTORY
Development of Print Media
Printing Press by Chinese in 868 A.D. The Chinese “Court Gazette” was the 1st
printing work. West borrowed the art of printing from Chinese.
Movable type developed by the Chinese between 9th to 11th
Century. In 14th Century in Europe.
In 15th century Johan Gutenberg of Germany developed moveable type. Replaced
wooden block; developed ink for metal type.
In 1456, printed 300 copies of Bible.
Printing presses were established in other countries of Europe.
Venice, in Italy printing became a flourishing centre. Churches and Government
patronized the printing presses.
In 1476, Caxton, set up a Press in West-minister. He printed books in English before
that printing was in Latin.
In the ancient and early medieval times information and propaganda materials used
to be pasted on the walls or inscribed on stones. In India during the Mughal regime,
News writing had became a much prevalent – institutions.
In 16th century, morning Newspaper took place
in Europe. The trading houses published news-
books and newsletters.
In 1560, in Germany and Switzerland serial numbered news sheets namely ‘AVISA’
(Germany) and ‘RELATIONS’ (Strasbourg) published.
In 1618 weekly newspapers published in English, French, Dutch and German
language from Amsterdam in Holland.
 In 1621, ‘Coranto’, a single newssheet published in England.
In 1660, weekly publications from U.K. coming up. In 1665, “Oxford Gazette”. Later on
became “London Gazette” made its appearance.
In 1702, the first daily newspaper published from England (The Daily Courant).
The 1st newspaper of USA was published in 1690, “Public Occurrences both Foreign and
Domestic” by a British Benjamin Harris. The “Boston Newsletter” was published in USA by an
American in 1704.
In 1783, 1st daily of USA “Pennsylvania” was
published. In 1703, the 1st Russian journal was printed.
IN INDIA
1550: 1st Printing Press was used in India
In the beginning only religious books were published in Portuguese, Tamil and
Malayalam. During Mughal’s regime news printing was quite prevalent.
William Bolt attempted 1st for newspaper printing in Calcutta. But in reality, J.A. Hichey
started the first newspaper “Bengal Gazette” at Calcutta. His paper was consisted of 2 sheets.
The paper exposes the private lives of the servants of East India Company.
Messink and Read started the next newspaper named as “India
Gazette”. In 1784, “Calcutta Gazette” was started.
In 1785, Richard Johnson started the “Madras Courier” from Madras.
In 1789, “Bombay Herald” was started in Bombay. It publishes the personal grievances of the
Englishmen against the East India Company.
In 1832, “Bombay Samachar” in Gujrati published from
Bombay. In 1838, “Times of India” in English published from
Bombay.
In 1885, ‘Pioneer in English” published from Lucknow.
In 1886, “Amrit Bazar Patrika” in English published from Calcutta.
JOURNALISM IS:
Providing information that the public needs to know
Giving fair and truthful account of news
Emphasizing the importance of free speech
Spurring people to action
 MEANING
 Journalism is the activity of gathering, assessing, creating, and presenting news and
information. It is also the product of these activities.
 Journalism can be distinguished from other activities and products by certain identifiable
characteristics and practices. These elements not only separate journalism from other
forms of communication, they are what make it indispensable to democratic societies.
History reveals that the more democratic a society, the more news and information it
tends to have.
 Journalism is that part of social activity, which is concerned, with the dissemination of
news and views about the society. Modern journalism feeds five departments of mass
communication. (1) Newspaper and periodicals, (2) Radio, (3) Television, (4) Films and
(5)Advertising.
 “Journalism is a service oriented profession because it is not just about providing raw
information. It is telling them how to use it to improve their lives and inspiring them to
want to” -Swanson
JOURNALISM IS DEFINED AS:

 Welsley (1969) defined journalism as the systematic and reliable gathering, writing,
interpreting, processing and disseminating of public opinion, public information and
public entertainment for publication in news papers, magazines and telecast.
 Written form of journalism i.e. Printed matters, photojournalism and broadcast
journalism are some of the types of journalism.
 Bond F. Fraser: According to him "The term journalism embraces all the forms in which
and through which the news and the comments on the news reach the public. All that
happens in the world, if such happenings hold interest for the public and all the thought,
action and ideas which these happenings stimulate become the basic material for the
journalist."
 According to Leslie Stephens, "Journalism consists of writing for pay on matters of
which you are ignorant."
 Eric Hodgins of Time Magazine defines it as, "Journalism is the conveying of
information from here to there with accuracy, insight and dispatch and in such a manner
 that the truth is served and the rightness of things is made slowly, even if not
immediately, more evident".
 According to Websters third International Dictionary Journalism define as "The
collection and editing of material of current interest for presentation, publication or
broadcast".
IMPORTANCE

Journalism contribute a literacy of the business of publishing and editing newspaper,

periodicals, journals etc. Thus, it is one of the most learnt profession of modem times. The
importance of it lies in the following points.

1. I T INFORMS AND DISSEMINATES NEWS

It is basically communication of information. The daily events are disseminated through

few words, sounds, pictures etc. to satisfy curiosity of the people about the environment and
world. The news create awareness among the people about various fields like politics, history,
laws, science, geography, socio-economic aspects, sex, crime, violence, racial conflict etc. in day
to day manner. The media like radio, television, newspaper, magazines, journals etc may take
help of satellite and other technologies to spread quick and urgent information.

2. I T INFLUENCES THE PUBLIC OPINION AND WAYS OF THINKING BY GIVING SOCIAL OR

COMMERCIAL MESSAGES

It provides the information on the events by providing various aspects of facts concerning
past,present and future. It guides the thoughts of the people by discussing the truth, problems,
possible solutions, possible consequences about the particular et co, event or thing. It acts as a
guardian of thought and expression of the people i.e. express their views without any hesitation
through these media of journalism.

3. I T PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY OF ENTERTAINMENT

The various media of journalism provides the entertainment to the people through the
various programmes like publishing feature, humour, comics, fictions and by broadcasting /
telecasting music, songs, dances etc.

4. I T EDUCATES THE PEOPLE

 The various media of journalism play vital role in providing variety of information on
various fields like health and sanitation, laws, cultural aspects like customs, traditions, norms etc.
and other related 'human activities. In the developing country like India having r 35 per cent
illiterate population, journalism plays vital role in educating them by using audio-visual aids.
These media help in changing the knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, norms, understandings,
beliefs of the people in the desirable direction.

5. I T HELPS IN MAINTAINING DEMOCRACY

The news and related information of parliament and legislature is being spread over the
country through the media of journalism. At the time of election and other related aspects, the
people can reach to the Government through their thoughts and expression in the various media.
It also helps in fighting against injustice to particular group or community or strain. It also helps
in decision making about voting and other aspects.

6. I T HELPS IN DEVELOPING NATIONAL SENSE

The news and non-news about national and international issues are spread over the
country by these media. The exchange of ideas, facts, scientific information in different fields
help in developing national sense. It also helps in building national unity and integrity by
providing the facts throughout the various sections of the community and country.

7. I T ACTS AS A AGENT IN COLLECTION , PRESERVATION , PRESENTATION OF NEWS , READING

MATTERS TO VARIOUS JOURNALISTIC MEDIA

Now-a-days, the stock exchange news are available on computer from data bank. The
electronic or word processes typewriter saves the retyping of drafts and letters. The evolution in
electronic and computer technologies has helped in improving the information dissemination and
its use. It helps in providing the information on every underground news besides current events.

8. I T MOTIVATES THE PEOPLE IN ADOPTION OF MODERN AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES

The information about the improved technologies and package of practices about
agriculture, dairy, poultry, horticulture, forestry, etc. are being continuously spread over to the
farming community through the various media of journalism. It also provides the information
related to cost, price, market, weather records etc. for the benefit of the farmers.
 Thus, journalism has opinion of every issues at national, international, social. political,
scientific, geographic, historic and commercial importance.

PRINCIPLES OF JOURNALISM :
1. Responsibility: the right of a journalist is to write and attract the readers to the issues of
public welfare
2. Sincerity, truthfulness and accuracy: Good faith of the readers can be obtained through
sincerity, truthfulness and accuracy which is the foundation of journalism
3. Objectivity/impartiality: maintaining impartiality in reporting is the basic lesson for a
journalist, otherwise reaction of the readers to the report will be lopsided
4. Fairplay : right practice of journalism is to treat the public equally
5. Independence: Journalism is free from all obligations except issues of public interest
6. Freedom of press: Foremost duty of journalism is to guard its freedom
7. Decency: Journalism tries to shape public conduct for a given situation
BASIC FUNCTIONS OF JOURNALISM
1. News function
The primary function of press is to inform. Examining the glut of public occurrences,
ideas and situation, newspapermen must determine which will interest the public. Apart from
factual presentation of news, for the complex situation the interpretation and explanation are also
required.
2. THE OPINION FUNCTION
Modern man frequently finds himself in the midst of confusion which product to
purchase? What decision to take? Whom to vote? He requires a medium of communication,
which will guide him to understand the positive and negative points of the situations because of
logical arguments. Thus, the modern press has to be both a daily teacher and a daily tribute.
Therefore, the editorial is the only means of building public opinion.
3. THE ENTERTAINMENT FUNCTION
Entertaining the public is the function and a business too. Since it is too big a job for the
local staff, newspaper relies upon syndicated materials. Entertainment is where you find it. It
pops up in human-interest stories and news features. Public interest in various features, comics in
particular sometimes determine the choice of a newspaper.
OTHER FUNCTIONS OF JOURNALISM

 Journalism is for the 'voice of a voiceless'- expressing opinions of all those in our society.
It's like a bridge between the authorities and people. Therefore its primary purpose is to
make sure all citizens are aware of their rights.
 The most important function of journalism is to convey information. Conveying
information is an important part of the democratic decision-making system, as it brings
transparency into society and for its part makes sure that the made decisions go along
with the people's sense of justice.
 Journalism is the investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad
audience for different purpose. Journalism’s role at the time was to act as a mediator or
translator between the public and policy making elites. The journalist became the
middleman. When elites spoke, journalists listened and recorded the information, distilled
it, and passed it on to the public for their consumption.
 Journalism also acts as a two-way channel between the public and policymakers.
 The importance of journalism comes from the people’s right to opinion and expression.
 The press performs a very important role as means of mass communication in the modern
world. The press tries to inform its reader objectively about what is happening in their
community, country and the world at large.
TYPES OF JOURNALISM :
1. Advocacy journalism
2. Interpretative journalism
3. Development journalism in agriculture
4. Convergence journalism
5. Ambush journalism
1. ADVOCACY JOURNALISM
Initiated by USA in early 19th century
Advocacy journalism is a genre of journalism that intentionally and transparently adopts a
non-objective viewpoint, usually for some social or political purpose.
Because it is intended to be factual, it is distinguished from propaganda.
It is publicity oriented
 Here, journalists supports any issue in the public form
2. Interpretative journalism or Reporting
Interpretative or explanation oriented reporting
The farm reporters explain Why, How, What, etc.
Here, farm reporter is not only writer of news but he is also orator
He publishes news in such a way the readers are motivated and enthusiased to adopt any new
technology that he writes about
3. DEVELOPMENT JOURNALISM IN AGRICULTURE
Separate school of thought which increases the sense of people
It focuses on protection of farming community and their
development .
It creates sense of improvement in the people for their own development
4. CONVERGENCE JOURNALISM
A form of journalism which combines different forms of journalism such as print,
photographic and video into one piece or group of pieces.
Convergence journalism can be found in the sites of CNN and many other news sites
5. AMBUSH JOURNALISM
Refers to aggressive tactics practised by journalists to suddenly confront and question people
who otherwise do not wish to speak to a journalist
This particularly has been applied by television journalists.
THEORIES OF PRESS:
1. Authoritarian: The authoritarian system is owned by the state, which controls mass media.
This is practiced around the globe.
2. Libertarian: Complete freedom of expression of ideas with no controls
3. Social Responsibilities: It was initiated in USA. Muckraking and media investigation of
wrongdoing is practiced.
4. Soviet System: Like authoritarian, Soviet System regulates its own content
YELLOW JOURNALISM
Journalism that exploits distorts or exaggerates the news to create sensation and attract readers
JOURNALISTIC WRITING (5 W’S & H)
Based on the queries:
The why of writing
 The whom of writing
The what of writing
The where of writing
The when of writing
The how of writing
ABC of Journalism: Accuracy, Brief & Clear/ Convincing