What Is Media Writing About?
- When you think of media; the first thing that comes to your mind is Television, radio, newspapers and mostly recently; internet.
- Media writing for the most part, however, is about Print media. Even though, eventually all script for both television and radio must be written.
- Media writing has to do written words; the articulation of words, good grammar, creativity and style.
- It also takes into account the law; in other words, what is the relationship between media and the law? Are there regulations in writing? What is the role of media in a given state?
- Information is power; so what we write has an impact on the lives of others.
News:
The simplest definition is; ‘news is what happens.’ It is a timely report of events and facts that interest a significant number of people. Key words: Timely; Facts; People.
News is about facts and not assumptions or personal opinions. The reporter is charged with the duty to verify that what he/she is reporting about is not only timely but factual.
The role of a journalist/writer
- Your loyalty is to the citizens; you write for them. That means that you give them accurate and clear information.
- You play the watchdog role; in other words, you report what you see to enable citizens make informed decisions based on the events that you report about.
- Journalism is the fourth estate; the profession is therefore charged with the responsibility of objective reporting. The writer should NEVER take sides. He/she represents the voice of the majority.
- The journalist should be on top of his beat. That means that you don’t give stale news but rather, be aware of what is happening (having a nose for news). A writer needs to know that writing and reporting changes substantially.
- Good writing does not mean that you use strong vocabulary that your readers need a dictionary to read your articles; it is making meaning of words for your audiences, without being sloppy in your writing.
- With the recent technological development, everyone can be a journalist. However, what makes good reporters is; the attention you give to your news stories and committing to the journalistic ethics.
- Newsrooms have some criteria in choosing which stories make it to print. There are hundreds of stories that go to the newsrooms. And most times half or less than half make headlines.
- There is competition in the market and the best makes the highest sales. So what makes a story worthwhile? Why should the editor choose your story?
- Bizarre: or odd. A story that is unusual or out of the ordinary will make headline in a snap. For example; if a man bites a dog, it will be worth to report that if the cat bit a man. The former is odd.
- Prominence: news stories about famous people or groups have an advantage. For example, if the President visited an old woman, the story makes a front page headline than if you or I visited the same old woman. Chances are, not even her family would ever know we even stepped foot in her house.
- Timeliness: Yesterday’s news is stale. Today’s news is timely. Current events will make headlines. Newsrooms however have different definitions for ‘current’; to some, it maybe hourly, daily or every 12 hours.
- Impact: if an event affects many people, then its worth the headlines. For example, if there is an increment in the sugar prices, everyone is affected and so it’s worth letting people know.
- Proximity: events occurring within the area that the media house is found with have an advantage over the ones that are further away. For example, if a company in Uganda shuts down, it will get media attention because it affects Ugandans, than if a company shuts down in Asia.
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