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CCJ Books

The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect

Completely updated and revised
"The most important book on the relationship of journalism and democracy published in the last fifty years." – Roy Peter Clark, The Poynter Institute

We Interrupt This Newscast: How to Improve Local News and Win Ratings, Too

Just Released
A landmark study on what people watch and why. The most exhaustive study ever of local TV news -- what helps ratings, what drives viewers away, and what editorial approaches and story-telling techniques most influence viewership.

Tools for TV/Radio Journalists

  • The professional British media organization which crafted a nation-wide wide agreement among news organization not to report about Prince Harry’s deployment to Afghanistan tells the story behind the story.
  • The method you use to tell a story tells a story of its own: about your fears and your strengths and your comfort level using unfamiliar tools. It’s a small wonder that newsrooms may be eager to take refuge in the familiar, but that has to change.
  • From the 'you can't think about this too much' department comes 10 golden rules for for staying out of court. They range from 'check your facts' to 'avoid virtual vendettas' to 'don't abuse anonymity'
  • Wikipedia still doesn't get much respect in newsrooms. But some reporters are using the online encyclopedia anyone can edit as a valuable trove of links to primary material.
  • When you get it wrong -- spectacularly wrong -- what do you do? Spill your guts, of course. Politico's top two Politicos -- John F. Harris and Jim VandeHei -- show how it's done as they explain what went wrong with New Hampshire Primary reporting.
  • Candidates say a lot of things. Sometimes what they say isn't exactly accurate, and that's where journalists come in. One newspaper's fact-finding mission is taking its cue from its readers.
  • "Journalists confront a rapidly changing world."
  • From Watergate to the present, confidence in the media has been spiraling down.
  • Ellen Leifeld, publisher of The Tennessean, shares some time management tips that can make you more productive...and happier.
  • Sam Zell, Chairman and CEO of the newly private Tribune Co., "takes a non-traditional tone in introducing himself to the Chicago media."

J-Tools

CCJ has collected some of journalism's best ideas, strategies and techniques to help journalists and citizens alike.