1What is online journalism? - Ayo Menulis FISIP UAJY
1What is online journalism? - Ayo Menulis FISIP UAJY
1What is online journalism? - Ayo Menulis FISIP UAJY
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42 Journal<strong>is</strong>m Online<br />
Sources of news<br />
So much for what <strong>is</strong> news. But where does it come from? What are<br />
the sources of news? They are many and various, but include the<br />
following.<br />
Eyes and ears – journal<strong>is</strong>ts must be both observant and<br />
curious. They should find it impossible to walk past a hole in the<br />
road without looking to see what <strong>is</strong> in it. They can also rely on the<br />
eyes and ears of others to provide tip-offs to potential news.<br />
Individual sources – these are the people who know what the<br />
journal<strong>is</strong>t wants to know. They have information, expert<strong>is</strong>e and<br />
opinions and can be quoted. They should not be confused with<br />
contacts. Contacts can tip off journal<strong>is</strong>ts, point them in the right<br />
direction, give them background or put them in touch with<br />
sources. Contacts and sources should be logged meticulously<br />
in a contacts book which should be updated on a daily bas<strong>is</strong>.<br />
Press releases – they should be approached with extreme<br />
caution, but not complete cynic<strong>is</strong>m. Just because someone<br />
wants you to publ<strong>is</strong>h something does not automatically mean it<br />
<strong>is</strong> not worth publ<strong>is</strong>hing. Of course, the information or view<br />
offered in any press release should be checked, challenged, if<br />
appropriate, and only given space if the end result <strong>is</strong> of value or<br />
interest to your readers.<br />
Other media – journal<strong>is</strong>ts are professional magpies. They will<br />
scour competing media for ideas, nuggets of information, even<br />
complete stories, which they can investigate further. ‘Other<br />
media’ <strong>is</strong> probably the biggest source of ex<strong>is</strong>ting news for<br />
journal<strong>is</strong>ts to develop, which <strong>is</strong> okay as long as if it doesn’t<br />
become their only source of news.<br />
Newsroom diary – all newsrooms, indeed all journal<strong>is</strong>ts, should<br />
keep an up-to-date news diary. Th<strong>is</strong> will l<strong>is</strong>t forthcoming events,<br />
follow-ups, anniversaries, etc. Diary items can also be<br />
previewed.<br />
The Internet has multiplied the potential sources of news and<br />
information exponentially. ‘Other media’ can now include newspapers<br />
and radio stations from around the globe. ‘Press releases’<br />
have been supplemented by whole sites run by governments,
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