This course will be a study of the principles of writing news and information for Radio, TV, Podcasts, and Livestreaming. Basics of news and broadcast style will be discussed and practiced.

Students will gain practical experience in media news gathering, working as part of a team to produce news reports and complete newscasts.

Students at the end of the course will be able to demonstrate accurate, fair and factual oral and written communication skills in reporting, revising, covering and editing of relevant news stories acceptable by professional journalism standards. They will also conduct effective research, interviews and evaluation of news and demonstrate knowledge of fundamental concepts and theories in the presentation of news.

Upon completion of this course, students will have explored a variety of techniques in news production. Students will:

• Explain how news is gathered and delivered in print, broadcast, and electronic media
• Communicate clearly, coherently and convincingly, both orally and in writing
• Demonstrate effective interviewing skills
• Write news articles that reflect critical and creative thought
• Use the Internet to research reliable information for and about news articles
• Recognize ethical issues related to news reporting
• Explain how print, broadcast, and electronic media gather and deliver news
• Explain factors that determine news value
• Explain basic principles of good news reporting and writing
• Contrast styles of news writing for newspapers, magazines, broadcast, and electronic media
• Recognize the importance of careful observation in news reporting
• Recognize the importance of balance in news reporting between “the individual’s right to privacy” and “the public’s need to know”
• Recognize effective leads and transitions in new articles
• Model effective leads and transitions in their own news articles
• Demonstrate proficiency in writing various kinds of news articles
• Demonstrate proficiency at using the Internet to research reliable information for and about news articles
• Research job and career opportunities for news reporters