LECTURE 1 – “Telling Factual Stories”

In our first lecture for JOUR1111, Dr BR introduced students to the basic philosophy and structure of the course, our assessment requirements and why one would choose to study journalism and communication. He raised two key arguments as to why this is important:

1. Because it is there. Journalism is interesting to us because we encounter and use it every day and because it is a source of information that is readily available. Whether we like it or not, we are a part of the media through viewing content, technological use, social media, etc. 
2. Because it can tell us about ourselves. Published journalism and mass media reflect back to us our own values, the values of others and the dominant values that underpin society. It also competes with other social institutions in knowledge, influence and legitimacy.

In this first lecture, we were briefly introduced to some of the challenges journalism and news media are facing. These included:

• Technology - the Death of newspapers; online ‘newspapers’ going behind the paywall; social media
• Public perception of journalists  
• User Generator content – citizen journalists
• News as entertainment

I can see that this subject is going to be both informative and interesting but will also present a number of challenges. Of the six assessment tasks for JOUR1111, I am most looking forward to the Factual Storytelling Exercise. Although I don’t fancy myself a particularly good story teller, I think this task will give me the opportunity to improve these skills.