Journalism-Principles and Functions

Dr. B. K. Ashwar
Prof. & Head
Dept. of Vety. And A.H. Extension Education
College o0f Vety. Sci. and A.H.
K.U., S.K.NAGAR
Journalism:
• Journalism is a systematic process of gathering, writing, interpreting,
processing and disseminating public opinion, public information and
public entertainment for publication in news paper, magazines and
broadcast and telecast (Wo1sley, 1969).
• Farm journalism may be defined as the collection and processing of
facts, converting into locaJ specific and need based timely
information and dissemination it to the farmers by different methods
of communication.

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
• Having courage
Principles of Journalism:
•Responsibility: the right of a journalist is to write and attract the
readers to the issues of public welfare
•Sincerity, truthfulness and accuracy: Good faith of the readers can
be obtained through sincerity, truthfulness and accuracy which is the
foundation of journalism
•Objectivity/impartiality: maintaining impartiality in reporting is the
basic lesson for a journalist, otherwise reaction of the readers to the
report will be lopsided
•Fairplay : right practice of journalism is to treat the public equally
•Independence: Journalism is free from all obligations except issues
of public interest
•Freedom of press: Foremost duty of journalism is to guard its
freedom
•Decency: Journalism tries to shape public conduct for a given
situation
 Inverted Pyramid Style of Writing

Headline Writing
1.Keyword of head must be found in the lead para
2.Word should not be repeated
3.Headline should be in the present tense
4.“the” is omitted in the Flag or Head
5.Vagueness and ambiguity should be avoided
6.Headline space is precious
• Head
• First to attract the people.
• Giving appropriate headline is an art
• Make the reader stop and look
• Seek to hold the attention and compel the reader to
read the story
• Lead
• First para of news story: it leads the rest of the
story
• also called INTRO – introduces rest to the reader-
catchy first para- not more than 30 words
• Body: More details and interested facts. The body
of the news story should sustain the interest that
the lead of the story creates in readers. The body
should be smooth and logical. It should extend
all the points included in the lead and in the same
order. The body should provide all the relevant
information within the shortest space possible. It
includes discussion and solutions to the problem
we outlined in the introduction.
• Conclusion/ End:
• This should include a brief summary of the article.
It restates the matters-topic in nut shell, but does
not use the exact words.
Principles of simple writing: Job-inform-not to impress
Think-plan-write-rewrite
1.Have a reader in mind 2. Make brief
3. Write as you talk
4. Write in a clear term- use word-bring only one meaning
5. Use concret word 6. Use familiar words
7. Say something that says something
8. Make it all short talks
9. Divide it into paragraphs 10. Add human interest
11. Address it to the readers
12. Make yours a friendly writing
13. Make it interesting
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.
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. It is 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.
• 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
• 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. It 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.
2. It 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 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. It 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. It 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 to 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. It 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. It 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.
8. It 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.