Saturday July 04, 2009

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.

What are the Elements of Journalism?

April 24, 2007

  1. Journalism's first obligation is to the truth.

     

  2. Its first loyalty is to citizens.

     

  3. Its essence is a discipline of verification.

     

  4. Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover.

     

  5. It must serve as an independent monitor of power.

     

  6. It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise.

     

  7. It must strive to make the significant interesting and relevant.

     

  8. It must keep the news comprehensive and proportional.

     

  9. Its practitioners have an obligation to exercise their personal conscience.

    10.  

  10. Citizens, too, have rights and responsibilities when it comes to the news.