This book-length glossary provides lucid, insightful definitions of the most significant keywords in news and journalism studies. Written by two of the field's leading scholars, it offers an informed perspective on the terms which have come to shape our understanding of this important area of inquiry. It effectively blends theory with practice, thereby ensuring that academic concerns are closely connected with professional priorities. Words associated with newspaper, radio, television, magazine, photojournalism and internet news are examined, ranging from 'above the fold' to 'zinger' with over 350 terms in-between (examples including 'agenda setting,' 'libel,' 'news values,' 'objectivity,' 'scoop' and 'tabloidization'). Special attention is devoted to the historical context of journalism's development, the evolving nature of journalism's forms and practices, day-to-day pressures in the newsroom and the field, journalists' relationships with their sources, the influence of technology, and a host of legal, ethical and regulatory issues. Different genres of reporting are covered, such as business, crime, environmental, fashion, lifestyle, investigative, science, sports and war journalism, together with a number of participatory, citizen-based alternatives (such as 'Indymedia,' 'Wikinews' and 'Twitter'). Taken together, this collection of keywords affords the reader a solid grounding in the vocabulary of news and journalism studies in a lively, accessible and engaging manner.
Keywords in News and Journalism