Author
““At a very basic level, journalism is finding , recording, synthesizing and disseminating information in an engaging way. The result of that process can also be called journalism.
”But who qualifies to be a journalist? What is news and is it different from journalism? Who decides what’s newsworthy?””
An online interactive textbook, this introduction to journalism explains the basic tenets of the profession, provides some historical context and uses primarily recent examples to inform prospective journalists and those who simply want to become better informed. As a professional journalist, I approached this project as I do my other work, starting with research and then synthesizing the information into this online textbook. It is intended to be an interactive guide to engage students and not a comprehensive history of the profession, which is why there are lists of suggested readings on themes found in the chapters. Though the material focuses mainly on journalism in the United States, I examine how it is practiced in other countries and share information about restrictions and challenges journalists face around the world.
A preview of “Introduction to Journalism: An Interactive Guide” can be found in the Top Hat Marketplace.
Research for this book has also resulted in the “Perspectives on Journalism” interview series where professional journalists discuss why and how they got into the profession, share their experiences, “pro tips” and lessons learned. This diverse group includes award-winners with experience in local, national and international coverage for television, radio and newspapers.