Beginners' Guide To Journalism & Mass Communication

Barun Roy

Description

Most books on journalism today are either too complex to comprehend or too superficial. Barun Roy has really done a remarkably good job to fill a long-felt vacuum. This guide introduces basic tools of the applied journalism in simple language. It provides step-by-step instructions to develop skills in the field. Any person interested in journalism, mass communication and in public relations will find this book very interesting, informative and useful. It could even motivate you to contribute articles and features to newspapers and magazines as a freelance writer. Some salient features of the book: *What is journalism? *News Gathering. *News Lead. *Putting the Story together. *Writing in Newspaper Style. *Colourful News Feature. *Headline Story. *Journalism as a Career. #v&spublishersContents:1. News, Views and You2. Different Kinds of Newspapers3. Different Kinds of Periodicals4. Films, Television and Radio as Instruments of Mass Communication5. Radio in India6. Television in India7. Internet as an Instrument of Mass Communication8. Introduction to Blogging9. Introduction to Freelance Journalism10. Freedom of the Press11. News Gathering12. The News Lead13. Putting the Story Together14. Writing in Newspaper Style15. Covering News16. Colourful News Features17. Describing a Personality18. The Art of Making Columns19. Planning an Editorial Page20. Editorials - Voice of the Newspaper21. Presenting Sports Action22. Copyreading and Proofreading for Accuracy23. Headlining a Story24. Planning Interesting Pages25. Pictures for the Paper26. Advertising27. Frequently Asked Questions28. Journalism as a CareerGlossaryImportant Newspapers from Around the WorldBibliography

Sujets

• Employabilité, métiers et formations

Informations

• Publié par: V & S Publishers
• Date de parution: 15 novembre 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9789350572191
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

BEGINNERS’ GUIDE TO
JOURNALISM &
MASS COMMUNICATION
Barun Roy
Published by:

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© Copyright: ISBN 978-935-05721-9-1
DISCLAIMER
While every attempt has been made to provide accurate and timely information in this book, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, unintended omissions or commissions detected therein. The author and publisher make no representation or warranty with respect to the comprehensiveness or completeness of the contents provided.
All matters included have been simplified under professional guidance for general information only without any warranty for applicability on an individual. Any mention of an organization or a website in the book by way of citation or as a source of additional information doesn't imply the endorsement of the content either by the author or the publisher. It is possible that websites cited may have changed or removed between the time of editing and publishing the book.
Results from using the expert opinion in this book will be totally dependent on individual circumstances and factors beyond the control of the author and the publisher.
It makes sense to elicit advice from well informed sources before implementing the ideas given in the book. The reader assumes full responsibility for the consequences arising out from reading this book. For proper guidance, it is advisable to read the book under the watchful eyes of parents/guardian. The purchaser of this book assumes all responsibility for the use of given materials and information. The copyright of the entire content of this book rests with the author/publisher. Any infringement/ transmission of the cover design, text or illustrations, in any form, by any means, by any entity will invite legal action and be responsible for consequences thereon.
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to my parents… Without whose love and blessings, nothing would have been possible
Preface
(To the first edition)
This book welcomes you to the exciting world of print journalism. The aim of this book is to help you gain a better understanding of the whole communication process and to demonstrate how to use words to convey ideas and expressions as well as facts effectively.
Once you have gone through this book, I am sure you will have a better understanding of your daily newspaper, and recognise it as a guardian to your country’s freedom and a protector of your right to be fully informed.
You will acquire new insights into the phenomenon of mass communication and its effect on human beings. Because of your personal experience with other mass media, you will be better prepared to consider how these media can affect the lives of the people around the world, both, in a positive and a negative manner.
Autumn, 2000
— Barun Roy Rockville, Darjeeling
Preface
(To the fourth edition)
Since the first, second and third editions were published, Beginners’ Guide to Journalism has become popular as an effective introduction to Journalism. Enthusiasts throughout the country have commented favourably on its clear instructions and step-by-step approach to news writing and editing skills. It is not a surprise thence that a need for the fourth edition of the book was felt by both, the readers and the publishers. In these eight years since the book was first published, Journalism has, as a subject of study and career, flourished immensely. This edition thus intends to deal with the new aspects of Mass Communication.
Being the latest and updated version, this edition has infused marked improvements in all compartments to facilitate greater understanding and grasp on the subject and effectively contribute to the field of Journalism. The entire text has been revised and updated without essentially disturbing the main contents of the book. All sections essentially contain many more of the professional journalistic details, examples and terms than did the first, second and third editions.
The section on grammar- expanded and illustrated with clear, brief sample sentences - will provide helpful guidance to all readers in an area that many writers find difficult and confusing. The glossary has been upgraded and new terms have been added. Important issues like libel, makeup problems and modem techniques of editing have also been deliberated in detail. New sections on Radio and TV Journalism have been added to do justice to the completeness of the book. Further, Online or Internet Journalism and Blogging have been discussed in detail.
New examples of fine writing, superior photography, and outstanding page makeup from recent issues of some of the best newspapers in the world, including The Times of India, De Standaard, Morgunbladid, La Nación, Hindustan Times, Ole, Kathimerine, Bahrain Tribune, National Post, The Vancouver Sun, Toronto Star, China Daily , etc. further enhance this edition.
All said and done, I thank the readers for accepting Beginners’ Guide to Journalism with such whole-heartedness and hope that they will also receive this fourth edition with same enthusiasm.
Rest and all is the will of our Lord.
Spring, 2008
— Barun Roy Clarke Road, Darjeeling
CONTENTS
1. News, Views and You
2. Different Kinds of Newspapers
3. Different Kinds of Periodicals
4. Films, Television and Radio as Instruments of Mass Communication
5. Radio in India
6. Television in India
7. Internet as an Instrument of Mass Communication
8. Introduction to Blogging
9. Introduction to Freelance Journalism
10. Freedom of the Press
11. News Gathering
12. The News Lead
13. Putting the Story Together
14. Writing in Newspaper Style
15. Covering News
16. Colourful News Features
17. Describing a Personality
18. The Art of Making Columns
19. Planning an Editorial Page
20. Editorials - Voice of the Newspaper
21. Presenting Sports Action
22. Copyreading and Proofreading for Accuracy
23. Headlining a Story
24. Planning Interesting Pages
25. Pictures forthe Paper
26. Advertising
27. Frequently Asked Questions
28. Journalism as a Career
29. Glossary
30. Important Newspapers from Around the World
31. Bibliography
News, Views and You
Mass Communication
In today’s world, you are surrounded by ideas and information. They reach you in many ways and are intended to inform you, entertain you, or influence your thinking. Mass Communication is the name given to this process.
Word formation: Mass + Communication
Mass
The term ‘Mass’ simply implies great volume, range or number of people.
Communication
The communication process, however, implies numerous things. To begin with, any kind of communication, whether it be written or oral, or one that does not involve use of words, signs, signals, pictorials, body language, etc, must have a ‘sender’ and a ‘receiver’. For a message to get through fully, there must also be a communicative spirit between the sender and the receiver in addition to the words or actions used to convey the message.
Thus, for Mass Communication to be achieved, the following parameters must exist:

Interest implies a definite interaction between the sender of the information/idea and the group of receivers. Without this very important aspect of mass communication, no message or information is relayed to the group of receivers and consequently mass communication is said to have failed. Generating and maintaining interest amongst the group of recipients - categorised differently as audiences, readers, surfers, etc. is one of the most important pursuits of a student of mass communication.
How do we communicate?
Before the invention of language, our forefathers communicated with each other using gestures and through the medium of different sounds (drums etc.). Later, language brought them together and they started communicating verbally. Authors and poets wrote prose and poems and singers composed songs. They experimented with different sounds emanating from different objects and invented music. With the advent of industrial age, humanity was thrust into an era of technology and it became possible to relay spoken words, sounds, visuals - static or moving - amongst others.
The communication process today, thus, could involve written words or texts, drawings including diagrams, charts, artistic pictures, photographs, spoken words and sounds (audio), moving pictures (video) and animation.

THE CATCH Chances of Miscommunication
As mass communication implies ideas or information being transmitted to a group of recipients, there always remain chances of miscommunication. Miscommunication results when the message sent through a medium is received by a group of receivers in a distorted form. Miscommunication can also result from the incomplete relay of the message to the receiver. Further, the receiver himself or herself may interpret the message wrongly resulting in a miscommunication.

In the World Peace campaign logo given here, a simple spelling error has resulted in a critical miscommunication.
How to avoid Miscommunication
The sender of the message who could also effectively be a writer must use words, diagrams or photos that convey his idea/message accurately.
Similarly, while writing articles or news items, the same writer must recognise that he can be influenced by his own feelings, his attitude towards his topic, and his past experiences. The writer must also recognise that when he applies words, he is using symbols that carry different s