Two W’s of Journalism: Why and What of Public Affairs Journalism

Davis “Buzz” Merritt, Maxwell E. McCombs9780805847307, 0805847308, 0805847316

In this timely volume, the authors explore public affairs journalism, a practice that lies at the core of the journalism profession. They go beyond the journalistic instruction for reporting and presenting news to reflect on why journalism works the way it does. Asking current and future journalists the critical questions, “Why do we do it?” and “What are the ways of fulfilling the goals of journalism?” their discussion stimulates the examination of contemporary practice, probing the foundations of public affairs journalism.With its detailed examination of factors influencing current journalistic practice, The Two W’s of Journalism complements and expands on the skills and techniques presented in reporting, editing, and news writing textbooks. The perspectives presented here facilitate understanding of the larger role journalism has in society. As such, the volume is an excellent supplemental text for reporting and writing courses, and for introductory courses on journalism. It will also offer valuable insights to practicing journalists.

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Table of contents :
The Two W’s of Journalism
The Why and What
of Public Affairs Reporting……Page 3
Copyright……Page 6
PART II……Page 9
About the Authors……Page 11
Preface……Page 13
Introduction……Page 15
Part I……Page 21
CHAPTER
1 The Why……Page 23
CHAPTER
2 First Things First:Why We Have A First Amendment……Page 29
CHAPTER
3 Conflicting Visions of Democracy……Page 39
CHAPTER
4 The Evolution of Journalism……Page 51
CHAPTER
5 What the Public Needs To Know……Page 60
CHAPTER
6 Three Publics for the News……Page 70
CHAPTER
7 Technology and the New Millennium……Page 80
CHAPTER
8 The What……Page 89
CHAPTER
10 Framing Stories and Positioning Citizens……Page 100
CHAPTER
11 Positioning Ourselves as Journalists……Page 111
CHAPTER
12 Deliberation……Page 126
CHAPTER
13 Elections……Page 139
CHAPTER
14 Polling-Use and Abuse……Page 152
CHAPTER
15 A Map of the Future……Page 166
Author Index……Page 171
Subject Index……Page 175