Interpretive journalism

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Interpretive (or Interpretative) journalism or interpretive reporting requires a journalist to go beyond the basic facts related to an event and provide more in-depth news coverage. The lack of precise borders accompanied with diverse theoretical approaches related to what interpretative journalism is in the modern world results in the practice of interpretative journalism overlapping with various other genres of journalism, and furthermore operationalization of interpretative journalism becomes largely blurred. [1] Interpretive journalists must have atypical awareness with and comprehension of a subject with their work involving looking for systems, rationale and influences that explain what they are reporting. [2]

Contents

The impact of interpretive journalism is when the reporting results in trend-setting articles, powerful think-pieces and further straying into the field of investigative reporting which has become the hallmark of good print journalism. But in recent times with the trend of breaking news and in finding ways to get viewers faster, journalists as well as readers have given up or just don't find time for traditional long-form interpretive reporting. [3] [4] [5] [6]

Definitions

History

In his book Interpretative Reporting (1938) Curtis D. MacDongall wrote that during the beginning of the First World War most Americans were taken by surprise and were unable to understand the reasons why it started. This led to changes in the style of reporting.

During the 1920s events such as the Great Depression and the Nazi threat to global stability caused audiences to be no longer content with the five W's of journalism. In 1923, Time magazine launched as the first major publication to provide readers with a more analytical interpretation of the news. Many papers responded with a new type of reporting that became known as interpretive journalism. [8]

The spread of interpretive reporting brought with it a number of variations such as new journalism, activism and advocacy journalism, adversary journalism, investigative journalism.

See also

Related Research Articles

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Journalism is the production and distribution of reports on the interaction of events, facts, ideas, and people that are the "news of the day" and that informs society to at least some degree. The word applies to the occupation, the methods of gathering information, and the organizing literary styles. Journalistic media include: print, television, radio, Internet, and, in the past, newsreels.

News style Prose style used for news reporting

News style, journalistic style, or news-writing style is the prose style used for news reporting in media such as newspapers, radio and television.

News media Elements of mass media that focus on delivering news

The news media or news industry are forms of mass media that focus on delivering news to the general public or a target public. These include print media, broadcast news, and the Internet.

Sensationalism Type of editorial tactic used in mass media

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New Journalism Style of news writing and journalism

New Journalism is a style of news writing and journalism, developed in the 1960s and 1970s, that uses literary techniques unconventional at the time. It is characterized by a subjective perspective, a literary style reminiscent of long-form non-fiction. Using extensive imagery, reporters interpolate subjective language within facts whilst immersing themselves in the stories as they reported and wrote them. In traditional journalism, however, the journalist is "invisible"; facts are reported objectively.

Source (journalism) Person, publication, or document that gives timely information

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Journalistic objectivity Principle in journalism

Journalistic objectivity is a considerable notion within the discussion of journalistic professionalism. Journalistic objectivity may refer to fairness, disinterestedness, factuality, and nonpartisanship, but most often encompasses all of these qualities. First evolving as a practice in the 18th century, a number of critiques and alternatives to the notion have emerged since, fuelling ongoing and dynamic discourse surrounding the ideal of objectivity in journalism.

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Journalistic ethics and standards comprise principles of ethics and good practice applicable to journalists. This subset of media ethics is known as journalism's professional "code of ethics" and the "canons of journalism". The basic codes and canons commonly appear in statements by professional journalism associations and individual print, broadcast, and online news organizations.

Narrative journalism

Narrative journalism, also referred to as literary journalism, is defined as creative nonfiction that contains accurate, well-researched information. It is related to immersion journalism, where a writer follows a subject or theme for a long period of time and details an individual's experiences from a deeply personal perspective.

Civic journalism Journalism done in the public interest

Civic journalism is the idea of integrating journalism into the democratic process. The media not only informs the public, but it also works towards engaging citizens and creating public debate. The civic journalism movement is an attempt to abandon the notion that journalists and their audiences are spectators in political and social processes. In its place, the civic journalism movement seeks to treat readers and community members as participants.

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Political journalism Political reporter

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The term "journalism genres" refers to various journalism styles, fields or separate genres, in writing accounts of events.

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Outline of journalism Overview of and topical guide to journalism

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Curtis D. MacDougall American journalist, teacher and writer

Curtis Daniel MacDougall was an American journalist, teacher and writer.

Multimedia journalism

Multimedia journalism is the practice of contemporary journalism that distributes news content either using two or more media formats via the Internet, or disseminating news report via multiple media platforms. It is inseparably related to the media convergence of communication technologies, business integration of news industries, and editorial strategies of newsroom management.

Adversarial journalism refers to a kind of journalism or a journalistic role where the journalist adopts an oppositional and combative style of reporting and interviewing. The goal of adversarial journalism is to reveal supposed wrongdoings of actors under investigation. Instead of being completely impartial, adversarial journalists take sides in what they believe to be true. They deliberately combine information with commentary or opinion in their writing. In particular, adversarial journalists remain relentlessly hostile and highly skeptical regarding government, big business companies, and political events, questions, institutions and personalities. Adversarial journalism is thought to be traditional in liberal democracies where journalism is regarded as a "Fourth Estate". It is also considered an extreme form of participant journalism or advocacy journalism. It has been contrasted with public or civic journalism.

References

  1. Salgado, Susana; Strömbäck, Jesper (2011). "Interpretive journalism: A review of concepts, operationalizations and key findings". Journalism. 13 (2): 144–161. doi:10.1177/1464884911427797. S2CID   145169074.
  2. Houston, Brant (2007). "Interpretive Journalism". In Donsbach, Wolfgang (ed.). The Blackwell International Encyclopedia of Communication (1. publ. ed.). Oxford: Blackwell. doi:10.1002/9781405186407.wbieci081. ISBN   9781405131995.
  3. "Ian Leach: The perils of breaking-news culture". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
  4. "Comics as Interpretive Journalism: Three Ways Trump's Tweets Have Landed in Panels". pastemagazine.com. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
  5. "Interpretative Reporting". Zeepedia.com.
  6. Sullivan, Margaret (2014). "Opinion | 'Just the Facts, Ma'am' No More". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2018-01-28.
  7. Advanced Campus Journalism. Rex Bookstore, Inc. ISBN   9789712321030.
  8. "Different Styles and Models of Journalism". University of Minnesota Libraries.

Further reading